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Top things to do in Queenstown

Queenstown Jet Boating

Get ready for high-speed jet boating through narrow river canyons while taking in the towering Remarkable Mountain and the crystal blue waters of the Kawarau River with an expert guide by your side.
Loved by over 53 million guests worldwide
Slide 1 of 6, Jet boat speeding on Kawarau River with passengers, surrounded by scenic cliffs and trees.
Jet boat speeding on Kawarau River with passengers, surrounded by scenic cliffs and trees.

Kawarau and Shotover River Jet Boat Ride by KJet

1 hr

  • Experience the ultimate 60-minute jet boat ride, hitting speeds of up to 95kph on Queenstown’s epic rivers—perfect for thrill-seekers and families.

  • Blast around Queenstown’s scenic waterways on a thrilling 45km jet boat adventure packed with 360° spins and epic 360° alpine views.

  • With no height restrictions, child-sized life jackets, and a minimum age of just 2 years, KJet is the perfect activity for the whole family. Kids aged 2-4 ride free (child age is 5-14 years).

  • Departs every hour, on the hour, from Main Town Pier, just a short stroll from central accommodation.

More details

  • Experience the ultimate 60-minute jet boat ride, hitting speeds of up to 95kph on Queenstown’s epic rivers—perfect for thrill-seekers and families.

  • Blast around Queenstown’s scenic waterways on a thrilling 45km jet boat adventure packed with 360° spins and epic 360° alpine views.

  • With no height restrictions, child-sized life jackets, and a minimum age of just 2 years, KJet is the perfect activity for the whole family. Kids aged 2-4 ride free (child age is 5-14 years).

  • Departs every hour, on the hour, from Main Town Pier, just a short stroll from central accommodation.

from
NZ$149
Slide 1 of 5, Tourists enjoying Skippers Canyon Jet Boat ride on turquoise river.
Tourists enjoying Skippers Canyon Jet Boat ride on turquoise river.

Skippers Canyon Jet Boat Ride with Scenic Road Tour

3 hrs

  • Calling all adventurers. This 3-hour experience combines a guided bus tour through Skippers Canyon and a thrilling jet boat ride on the Shotover River.

  • Travel the legendary Skippers Road, carved into sheer cliffs over 130 years ago, and hear captivating gold rush tales from your expert guide along the way.

  • Hold on tight as your jet boat zooms through the Shotover River’s narrow canyons at over 80 km/h, skimming past rock walls with exhilarating 360-degree spins.

  • Take a break at the historic Pipeline Bungy site, where you’ll soak in epic views of the canyon and its rugged beauty before heading back to Queenstown.

  • Fun fact: In 1862, two Māori shepherds found gold in Skippers Canyon after their dog was swept downstream, leading to a discovery worth nearly NZ$1 million today.

More details

  • Calling all adventurers. This 3-hour experience combines a guided bus tour through Skippers Canyon and a thrilling jet boat ride on the Shotover River.

  • Travel the legendary Skippers Road, carved into sheer cliffs over 130 years ago, and hear captivating gold rush tales from your expert guide along the way.

  • Hold on tight as your jet boat zooms through the Shotover River’s narrow canyons at over 80 km/h, skimming past rock walls with exhilarating 360-degree spins.

  • Take a break at the historic Pipeline Bungy site, where you’ll soak in epic views of the canyon and its rugged beauty before heading back to Queenstown.

  • Fun fact: In 1862, two Māori shepherds found gold in Skippers Canyon after their dog was swept downstream, leading to a discovery worth nearly NZ$1 million today.

from
NZ$212.57
Slide 1 of 7, Whitewater rafting on Shotover River, Queenstown, with a group navigating rapids in a blue raft.
Whitewater rafting on Shotover River, Queenstown, with a group navigating rapids in a blue raft.

Kawarau River White Water Rafting and Jet Boat Ride by RealNZ

4 hrs 30 mins
2 more

  • Take on the Kawarau River with a mix of jet boating and whitewater rafting, ideal for both thrill-seekers and first-time rafters.

  • Race down the river at speeds up to 95 km/h, skimming past canyon walls and spinning through 360° turns.

  • Paddle through 8 km of whitewater, with grade 2–3 rapids (and grade 4 in high water), plus the chance to try a cliff jump.

  • Navigate the 400m Dog Leg rapid, the longest commercially rafted rapid in New Zealand, before drifting through scenic landscapes seen in movies.

  • Fun fact: Kawarau Bridge is nearby, the site of the world’s first commercial bungee jump in 1988.

More details

  • Take on the Kawarau River with a mix of jet boating and whitewater rafting, ideal for both thrill-seekers and first-time rafters.

  • Race down the river at speeds up to 95 km/h, skimming past canyon walls and spinning through 360° turns.

  • Paddle through 8 km of whitewater, with grade 2–3 rapids (and grade 4 in high water), plus the chance to try a cliff jump.

  • Navigate the 400m Dog Leg rapid, the longest commercially rafted rapid in New Zealand, before drifting through scenic landscapes seen in movies.

  • Fun fact: Kawarau Bridge is nearby, the site of the world’s first commercial bungee jump in 1988.

from
NZ$329
Slide 1 of 5, Tourist in life jacket swimming in Kawarau River during white water rafting adventure.
Tourist in life jacket swimming in Kawarau River during white water rafting adventure.

Kawarau River White Water Rafting by RealNZ

4 hrs 30 mins
2 more

  • Ride the Kawarau River’s grade 2-3 rapids on a beginner-friendly rafting trip, perfect for first-timers and those wanting a fun, scenic adventure.

  • Race your friends through the river’s wide channels, enjoy calm stretches for swimming, and tackle the thrilling 400-meter-long Dog Leg rapid.

  • Take in stunning Central Otago scenery as you paddle through rugged gorges, past vineyards, and along the famous filming sites of The Lord of the Rings.

  • Upgrade your adventure with a high-speed 25-minute jet boat ride, skimming across the water and pulling 360° spins before you hit the rapids.

  • Fun fact: The Kawarau River flows into the turquoise waters of Lake Dunstan and was historically used by Māori for travel, trade, and gathering food.

More details

  • Ride the Kawarau River’s grade 2-3 rapids on a beginner-friendly rafting trip, perfect for first-timers and those wanting a fun, scenic adventure.

  • Race your friends through the river’s wide channels, enjoy calm stretches for swimming, and tackle the thrilling 400-meter-long Dog Leg rapid.

  • Take in stunning Central Otago scenery as you paddle through rugged gorges, past vineyards, and along the famous filming sites of The Lord of the Rings.

  • Upgrade your adventure with a high-speed 25-minute jet boat ride, skimming across the water and pulling 360° spins before you hit the rapids.

  • Fun fact: The Kawarau River flows into the turquoise waters of Lake Dunstan and was historically used by Māori for travel, trade, and gathering food.

from
NZ$249
Slide 1 of 9, Whitewater rafting on Shotover River, Queenstown, navigating rocky gorge.
Whitewater rafting on Shotover River, Queenstown, navigating rocky gorge.

Shotover River White Water Rafting by RealNZ

4 hrs 30 mins
2 more

  • Raft the fast-moving waters of the Shotover River with an expert guide, tackling intense grade 3-5 rapids on this adrenaline-fueled adventure.

  • Travel by coach through the narrow, 22 km-long Skippers Canyon, where sheer cliffs drop to the winding Shotover River far below.

  • Ride through the 170m-long Oxenbridge Tunnel, carved during the gold rush, before bursting out into the churning whitewater of Cascade Rapid.

  • Paddle through surging rapids, surrounded by rugged schist cliffs and panoramic views of the Remarkables mountain range.

  • Fun fact: During the gold rush, the Shotover River was one of the world’s richest gold-bearing rivers, earning it the nickname "the richest river in the world!"

More details

  • Raft the fast-moving waters of the Shotover River with an expert guide, tackling intense grade 3-5 rapids on this adrenaline-fueled adventure.

  • Travel by coach through the narrow, 22 km-long Skippers Canyon, where sheer cliffs drop to the winding Shotover River far below.

  • Ride through the 170m-long Oxenbridge Tunnel, carved during the gold rush, before bursting out into the churning whitewater of Cascade Rapid.

  • Paddle through surging rapids, surrounded by rugged schist cliffs and panoramic views of the Remarkables mountain range.

  • Fun fact: During the gold rush, the Shotover River was one of the world’s richest gold-bearing rivers, earning it the nickname "the richest river in the world!"

from
NZ$299

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