Queenstown: Kawarau River Rafting and Jet Boat Ride
About This Experience
Enjoy a rafting experience on the Kawarau River, ideal for first-timers. Enjoy a scenic adventure including a thrilling jet boat ride to the launch site.
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
What's Included
- ✓ Roundtrip bus transfer between Queenstown and the rafting base
- ✓ 25-minute jet boat transfer
- ✓ 1-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
Not Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Food and drinks
What to Bring
- Swimwear
- Towel
Good to Know & Caveats
- Valuables should be left behind at your accommodation.
- This activity is not suitable for pregnant women, those less than 13 years old, those less than 40-kilograms, those over 120kgs 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 if participants do not meet the eligibility criteria
- Trips may be cancelled due to river, road, or weather conditions or insufficient numbers in the interest of all rafters' safety. In such cases, guests will be offered to options of a full refund or changing to a different date.
- Participation in rafting activities involves a degree of risk and the rafting operator cannot absolutely guarantee participants' safety. Whitewater rafting risk disclosures available on the RealNZ website
Not Suitable For
- Children under 13 years
- Pregnant women
- People with back problems
- People with heart problems
- People over 264 lbs (120 kg)
- People under 88 lbs (40 kg)
- Non-swimmers
Meeting Point
Please arrive 20 minutes in advance.
What Travelers Say
Rated 4.8/5 by 148 verified GetYourGuide travelers.
Would thoroughly recommend ~ I had Ben (Benji) as the rafting guide. He was excellent, pushing me out of my comfort zone to make the most out of this experience. If you're ever in Queenstown or thinking about this experience - would recommend!!
— Antineska, March 24, 2026
mat was a great leader in the raft and gave us a great experience
— Terry, January 30, 2026
Loved it. Next time I want to do the bigger rapids! The hosts were great. Everyone was friendly! You feel invited into the adventure!
— Joy, January 19, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How much of this is jet boating and how much is rafting?
A 25-minute jet boat transfer covering 22 km of the Kawarau at 95 km/h, with 360-degree spins, delivers you to the rafting start. The rafting itself is about an hour over 8 km of river. Total elapsed time is around four and a half hours including shuttles and kitting up.
How hard is the rafting?
The operator describes it as a good introduction for first-timers: grade 2-3 rapids, occasionally grade 2-4 at higher water, with flat stretches between where you can swim. It finishes on what RealNZ calls New Zealand’s longest commercially rafted rapid.
Who cannot do this trip?
It is not suitable for anyone under 13, under 40 kg or over 120 kg, for pregnant women, for non-swimmers, or for anyone with a heart or back condition. Everyone signs a waiver; under-16s need a guardian with them and under-18s need a guardian’s signature.
What is provided and what should I bring?
Wetsuit, wetsuit jacket, spray jacket, paddle, helmet, booties and life jacket are all included, as are the return shuttles and hot showers afterwards. Bring swimwear and a towel, and leave valuables at your accommodation.
Where do I check in?
At the RealNZ Visitor Centre, 88 Beach Street, Queenstown. Arrive 20 minutes before departure. Trips can be cancelled for river, road or weather conditions, or for insufficient numbers.
Other Rides on These Rivers
From Queenstown: Dart River Canoe & Jet Boat Day Trip
From Queenstown: Dart River Wilderness Jet Boat Experience
Queenstown: Hydro Attack Shark Ride
Queenstown: Shotover River and Kawarau River Jet Boat Ride
Queenstown: Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Experience
Queenstown: Shotover River Whitewater Rafting Trip
From Queenstown: Skippers Canyon Jet Boat Ride
