The Kawarau River flows out of Lake Wakatipu near Queenstown in New Zealand's South Island, cutting through the dramatic Kawarau Gorge — a canyon of striking geology joined along its course by the Shotover, Arrow, and Nevis rivers. The river is historically significant as a route used by Māori to reach the West Coast for pounamu, later traveled by pioneers, gold miners, and early hydro developers. The gorge also served as a filming location for The Lord of the Rings, with the Pillars of the Kings visible from the water.

The river offers a range of paddling character depending on the section. Near its outlet from Lake Wakatipu at Kawarau Falls, the river provides a grade 2 park-and-play feature suitable for working on fundamentals such as eddy turns, ferry gliding, and surfing. Paddlers should put in below the bridge and attain up to the features from there. Importantly, paddlers must avoid the control gates under the old bridge, as dangerous weirs are present in that area. Vessels proceeding downstream through the Kawarau Dam control gates must use the second marked arch from the Southern Bank, while those heading upstream must use the sixth marked arch from the Southern Bank.

Further downstream, the river builds to grade 2–3 whitewater, highlighted by the Dog Leg rapid — a 400-metre stretch recognized as the longest commercially rafted rapid in New Zealand. Beyond Dog Leg, the Nevis Bluffs section presents significantly more demanding whitewater, and the Citreon rapid is rated grade IV+, requiring careful scouting. The Nevis River enters on river right in this lower section.

There are navigational regulations to be aware of: no powered vessels may operate on the section of the Kawarau River below the Arrow River confluence. Paddlers approaching the Shotover–Kawarau confluence area should be aware of jet boat operations in that stretch.

The river runs through clear water and rugged canyon landscapes. The Kawarau Falls section is described as suitable for any flow, making it accessible across a range of conditions, though paddlers should note that New Zealand rivers can fluctuate dramatically in level, sometimes within hours. As a general guideline, blue to green water indicates safe paddling conditions, while brown or murky water signals potential flooding and significantly increased difficulty.