Queenstown · QUEENSTOWN WHITEWATER RAFTING
The Shotover runs grade three to five through a canyon and finishes in a tunnel; the Kawarau is friendlier and family-shaped. These 12 compare river, grade and season, priced with wetsuit hire included or not.
Join KJet at Queenstown’s Main Town Pier for a one-hour, 45-kilometre ride across Lake Wakatipu and up the Kawarau and Shotover rivers. Expect speeds up to 95 km/h, 360-degree spins, heated handrails, river scenery, and a lively English-speaking pilot such as Reuben, Charles, Sam, or Jack.
“exciting, adrenaline filled and memorable..we absolutely loved it”
Meet at Marmolada Cafe in Queenstown for a five-hour bus-and-raft trip into Skippers Canyon. Guides such as Georgia, Josh, Mark, Holly, and Luke lead families through gentle Shotover River rapids, with safety gear, transport, snacks, and optional photos included.
“This was our most fun Queenstown activity. Georgia made the bus trip interesting with her hilarious commentary. The team were all fun & excellent communicators for both kids and adults. The rapids were just the right amount of thrill for kRead more”
Join RealNZ for a 4.5-hour Shotover River rafting trip from Queenstown. Guides such as Jess, Benji, Morgan, and Erin lead you through grade 3 to 5 rapids, the 170-metre Oxenbridge Tunnel, and Cascade Rapid. Transport, gear, digital photos, and hot showers are included.
“Jess our guide was a pro and gave us lots of confidence and a great experience. Loved the rafting high fives.”
Take a 4.5-hour RealNZ rafting trip from Queenstown through Skippers Canyon. After a detailed safety briefing and full wetsuit fitting, you raft from Deep Creek through grade 3 to 5 rapids, the 550-foot Oxenbridge Tunnel, and Cascade Rapid. Guides such as Jess, Morgan, and Benji are praised for clear instruction and calm leadership.
“We really loved our trip. Unfortunately the Shotover was too low so we were diverted to the Kawarau with speedboat. The guides did their best to make sure that we had a good time considering we signed up for the more adventurous of the trips and that we were not able to go was out of everyone’s control. We had fun floating down the river and jumping off the cliffs and made the most of it. I’d recommend RealNZ for their team. Danny (sp?) was a great host on the river.”
Ride a jet boat through the Kawarau River and Lake Wakatipu, then raft grade 2-3 rapids through the historic gorge. You can swim, try an optional 3m cliff jump, and tackle New Zealand’s longest commercially rafted rapid. Guides such as Gabe, Guy, Danny, and Zane are praised for safety and fun.
“Booking, waivers, information was easily accessible on line. The Real NZ sent everything that was needed from waivers to confirmation. We felt well prepared and when we arrived, we were suited, and oriented for safety and off to jet boat in Read more”
Combine a 25-minute jet boat ride with 8 kilometers of Kawarau River rafting. You will tackle grade 2 to 3 rapids, swim calm stretches, and finish with the 400-meter Dog Leg rapid. Guides such as Morgan, Jess, Nico, and Josh are known for clear safety briefings and lively encouragement.
“We had an awesome time on the river and feel very lucky to have done the jet boat/ rafting combo. Erin was our guide and was fantastic..... as were all tour operators we dealt with. Wonderful experience, we have rated it number 1 for our time in queenstown 😊”
From Queenstown, you ride a coach through Skippers Canyon to the Shotover River, learn rafting skills in calm water, then tackle six grade 4 to 5 rapids, including Aftershock, Squeeze, Toilet, Pinball, and Cascade. Guides such as Muzz, Zane, KC, and Raju are praised for safety and humor.
“Great day!! Well worth it! Highly recommend. Guide was friendly and we felt very safe. The road to get there was the start of the adventure!”
Meet at the Raft Base near Arthurs Point for a four-hour trip through Skippers Canyon. Your guide, such as Raju, Jess, Kai, or Muzz, teaches paddle skills before you tackle six rapids, the 170-meter Oxenbridge Tunnel, and a final Cascade Rapid.
“Great guided rafting. Kai was fun and skilled guide. Fun and challenging rapids. Safe Transportion across tough mountain road. Excellent adventure.”
Take a 4.5-hour RealNZ rafting trip from central Queenstown through 8 kilometers of the Kawarau River. Expect grade 2 to 3 rapids, the 400-meter Dog Leg rapid, optional cliff jumping, swimming, and guides such as Nico, Matt, and Morgan.
“Such a fantastic experience!!! A perfect river for first time rafting - all the guides were so friendly and helpful, really couldn’t recommend enough”
Spend up to 90 minutes bodyboarding 12km of the Kawarau River with Serious Fun Riverboarding. You will tackle grade 2 to 3 rapids, try standing-wave surfing, ride whirlpools, and use a 5mm wetsuit, helmet, fins, and life jacket.
“The crew were epic!! Did this 17 years ago when I was 21 on a contiki had a ball then and had a ball today!! Can’t wait for my own kids to be at least 8 years old and experience this with them!! Cheers guys Swifty 🤘”
Spend four hours with RealNZ rafting 8 kilometers of the Kawarau River, including the 400-meter Dog Leg rapid. Guides provide safety coaching, gear, hot showers, optional cliff jumping, and free digital photos. The trip suits first-timers aged 13 and older.
“It could not have been better! Emma was a wonderful raft guide. Plenty of time to swim and cliff jump. The best rafting experience I’ve ever had.”
Travel from Queenstown into Skippers Canyon, gear up in wetsuit boots and a helmet, then raft gentle Grade 1 and 2 rapids on the Shotover River. You will see gold-mining relics, canyon walls, and the Lord of the Rings filming site at the Ford of Bruinen, with guides and snacks included.
“Informative and our guides made it fun and entertaining!”
A boat, a ridge, a cellar or a canyon.
