The Waiau Toa / Clarence River is one of New Zealand's longest and most scenic multi-day river journeys, a true wilderness expedition. You can put in at Lake Tennyson for the full 200-kilometer journey, and with sufficient flow, you can start from various points along its course. The river is a wide, braided alpine river, its gravel bed carrying numerous channels that split and rejoin. The paddling experience is defined by its remote and isolated character, flowing between the Inland and Seaward Kaikōura Ranges. The rapids are primarily gentle Grade 2, suitable for families, with a faster-paced whitewater finale known as the Chute as the river approaches the Pacific Ocean. The trip is self-sufficient, with everything carried on the rafts, and camping occurs on sandy beaches or under willows and mānuka. The overall vibe is about simplicity, slowing down to river time, and embracing a journey of fun, food, and flow under expansive night skies. Notable sights include rock canyons, towering ridgelines, and hidden side creeks. Wildlife spotting and fishing are possible activities along the route. The river runs for roughly 209 to 230 kilometers from its alpine headwaters in Marlborough's remote backblocks to the sea.