Queenstown · SHOTOVER & KAWARAU RAFTING
8 reviewed
Two rivers, two very different days: the Shotover runs a dramatic canyon with a tunnel-fed finish, while the Kawarau is warmer and friendlier for a first go. Below are the best rafting trips, with the grade of the rapids, the season each runs, and whether a scenic-flight or jet-boat add-on is worth it. Wetsuits provided; nerve is on you.
Family rafting on Queenstown’s Shotover River: gentle Class I–II rapids, Skippers Canyon gold-mining drive, snacks, gear, and photos.
“Rafting deserves 5 star rating.Holly and Mark were excellent.Drive to this place is scenic and as good as the rafting.Definitely beat my expectations.”
Half-day Shotover River rafting from Queenstown with wetsuits, hot showers, Skippers Canyon Road 4WD, and big canyon rapids.
“Our guide Morgan was very friendly and knowledgeable and made the experience that much better. The rapids were not as large as I had anticipated due to water flow but that can not be controlled and i enjoyed the more mellow cruise with my kids anyway”
Queenstown half-day Shotover River rafting with coach transfers, grade 3–5 rapids, Skippers Canyon drive, Oxenbridge Tunnel, showers, photos.
“Our whitewater adventure was fantastic! Our instructor was super competent and safety was a very high priority for the team. Heaps of fun and I highly recommend it.”
RealNZ combines Queenstown jet boating with Kawarau River rafting for grade 2–3 rapids, optional cliff jumping, and epic gorge scenery.
“Jet boat trip was excellent, lots of fun. Very benign and relaxed river rafting, suitable for families. Guides were excellent. Lots of opportunities to jump in the water as it is mostly just drifting down the river.”
Whitewater rafting on the Kawarau River plus a jet boat ride with 360 spins, beginner-friendly rapids, swims, and optional cliff jumps.
“Great day, all the guides were awesome. Jet boat Jess took us for a good spin on the water. The river was very calm that day so we actually spent most of the rafting part just swimming in the water being carried down stream and it was really beautiful. Stopped to do some cliff jumping which was fun, can’t remember for the life of me what our guide’s name was but he was hilarious and made it all a fun experience for us. Definitely recommend.”
Half-day Shotover River rafting from Queenstown with six grade 4–5 rapids, a tunnel run, included gear, and hot showers.
“Besides the rapids and the professional expert or the guides; the trip to the put in was worth the price of admission! Great experience all around. Bill Woodman”
A 4-hour Shotover River whitewater rafting trip from Queenstown with 6 grade 4–5 rapids, a 170m tunnel, and a safe swim option.
“the equipment was good and the guides were as well. but the venue of the river was not very challenging. it was something to do and see the scenery of NZ. these were class 2-3 rapids. going through the man-made tunnel of 100 metere was cool though. and the bus ride out there was the scariest thing.”
Half-day Kawarau River rafting from Queenstown: grade 2–3 rapids, the Dog Leg finale, hot showers, and easy coach transport for $148.32.
“Such a fantastic experience!!! A perfect river for first time rafting - all the guides were so friendly and helpful, really couldn’t recommend enough”
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