Queenstown: Kawarau River Rafting and Jet Boat Ride

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Highlights

  • Experience the thrill of whitewater rafting on the beautiful Kawarau River

  • Enjoy plenty of whitewater action and soak in the spectacular scenery

  • Take on New Zealand's longest commercially rafted rapid

  • Discover stunning surroundings used as film backdrops in major motion pictures

  • Start your adventure with a thrilling high speed jet boat ride

Summary

Is it your first time rafting? The Kawarau River is ideal if you are looking for a more relaxed rafting experience. Enjoy a scenic, playful, and fun adventure including a thrilling jet boat ride to the launch site.

Tour info

Duration
4 hours 30 minutes
Group Size
Pricing (From)
Commentary
Meeting Point

Why take this tour?

Raft the Kawarau River, perhaps better known as the River Anduin in Lord of the Rings, for a great half-day activity in Queenstown This is a perfect introduction to whitewater rafting for first-timers. There will be plenty of rapids action plus time to sit back and enjoy the spectacular scenery. Catch the free shuttle from the centre of town out to the raft base where you will be fitted out with all your gear. From there, head back into the heart of Queenstown to catch your jet boat transfer. 

Take on 22 km of the Kawarau river at 95 km/h with thrilling 360-degree spins as you arrive at the rafting station. Your rafting adventure covers 8-kilometers of the river. Take on grade 2-3 rapids and perhaps the occasional grade 2-4 rapid, when there are higher water levels. Enjoy flat stretches of river between the rapids where you have the opportunity to race your friends on the other rafts or jump out and swim. Conclude your adventure by rafting the longest commercially rafted rapid in New Zealand, the Dog Leg. This is a 400-meter long and grade 3/4 rapid. Add some extra excitement by joining in on the optional cliff jumping section, or sit back and watch your friends take a leap.

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What’s included?

  • • Roundtrip bus transfer between Queenstown and the rafting base

  • • 25-minute jet boat transfer

  • • 2-hour rafting experience on the Kawarau River

  • • Experienced rafting guides

  • • Extensive safety briefing

  • • All rafting and safety equipment including wetsuit, wetsuit jacket, spray jacket, paddle, helmet, wetsuit booties, and life jacket

  • • Hot showers

  • • Hotel pickup and drop-off

  • • Food and drinks

Things to know

Before you book

  • • This activity is not suitable for those who weigh less than 40-kilograms and those who weigh more than 120-kilograms, pregnant women, those who are less than 13-years-old, or those with a heart condition (or taking heart medication)

  • • All participants must sign a waiver form

  • • Rafters under 16-years-old must have a guardian traveling with them and all rafters under 18-years-old must have a waiver form signed by a guardian

  • • Rafters must be water-confident, able to swim in fast-moving water, and agree to carefully follow instructions from the guides

  • • Participation in rafting activities involves a degree of risk and the rafting operator cannot absolutely guarantee participants' safety

  • • The rafts are large enough to carry six or seven people plus your rafting guide

  • • The rafting operator reserves the right to refuse participation and cancel or amend any trips due to river, road, or weather conditions or insufficient numbers in the interest of all rafters’ safety

Before you go

  • You will need to bring swimwear and a towel. There are showers available after the trip. Anything valuable should be left behind at your accommodation or placed in the secure lockers at the shop in town.

  • This activity is not suitable for pregnant women, those less than 13 years old, those less than 40-kilograms, or those with a heart condition or taking heart medication.

  • All participants must sign a waiver form. Rafters under 16 years old must have a guardian travel with them and all rafters under 18 years old must have a waiver form signed by a guardian.

  • RealNZ reserves the right to refuse participation and cancel or amend any trips due to river, road, or weather conditions or insufficient numbers in the interest of all rafters’ safety.

Cancellation Policy

    Up to 24 hours before the beginning of the activity: full refund Less than 24 hours before the beginning of the activity or no-show: no refund
Operator Website

Operated by:

About operator:

Our family business was founded in Fiordland in the 1950’s by tourism and conservation pioneers Les and Olive Hutchins. 
Sixty years later, we offer tourism experiences from Stewart Island to Queenstown; including world renowned cruises through Milford and Doubtful Sounds, the Te Anau Glowworm Caves and heritage steamship TSS Earnslaw.
For us, the aim is still quite simple – to share the natural heritage and astounding beauty of the region with visitors – just as our founders intended.

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