Classic braided-river country up in the high country, with open gravel flats hemmed in by hills. As with any river route the landscape keeps shifting, so no two trips out here are ever quite the same.

Moa Stream is a real pick-your-own-line affair. Expect big boulders, plenty of crossings and a fair bit of hunting around to work out a route as you make your way to Moa Hut. It's the sort of trip that rewards confident reading of the riverbed and a willingness to backtrack and try again when a line doesn't pan out.

Keep a close eye on the weather across the whole catchment, since rivers out here can come up fast and hard after rain. Best done when levels are low and you've got plenty of daylight to find your way.