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Queenstown Shotover River White Water Rafting
Queenstown, New Zealand
- 4 hours 30 minutes
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Don’t worry—here are some similar options
Overview
Adrenaline-chasing travelers won’t want to miss white-water rafting on Queenstown’s Shotover River. After traveling on one of New Zealand’s most treacherous (but beautiful) roads, you’ll have a full safety briefing before donning your gear and getting in the raft. Paddle through grade 3-5 rapids surrounded by amazing mountain scenery. Rafting experience isn’t required but a sense of adventure is recommended.
- Return transport from Queenstown is included
- Wetsuits, rafting gear, and safety equipment is provided
- Raft safely in the presence of well-trained guides
- Warm up with hot showers after
What's Included
- Shuttle bus from our Queenstown store to the Rafting Base
- Full wetsuit, rafting clothing and all safety equipment
- Extensive safety briefing
- Food and drinks
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- 37 Camp Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
Please check-in at least 20 minutes prior to your trip departure.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.What To Expect
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Minimum weight 40kg
- Maximum weight 120kg
- Minimum age is 13 years. Children aged between 13 and 15 years must be accompanied by a guardian
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
Traveler Photos
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Reviews
4.5
125 reviews
Ella_B, Apr 2024
Very fun, would definitely do again! Very good views along the way, guides we're really knowledgeable and experienced.
Amu_G, Jan 2024
We had the experience of a lifetime as a family. Pushing ourselves and seeing a remote picturesque canyon in the middle of New Zealand in Skipper’s Canyon. The guides were amazing - providing confidence and sharing laughter along the journey. Benji our guide was awesome sharing rafting tales from the UK to Iceland and beyond. If you want a memory to cherish for a lifetime - book today!
Siobhan_R, Dec 2023
Jess our guide was a pro and gave us lots of confidence and a great experience. Loved the rafting high fives.
Jenna_S, Dec 2023
Had so much fun! Benji was a great guide. A real adventure that got my heart pumping. Would highly recommend :)
Grace_H, Dec 2023
We had a great time! Guide was experienced and knowledgeable. It was fun and well organized. Would recommend!
Eadaoin_M, Nov 2023
Brilliant experience with our excellent raft guide Erin. 10/10 recommend. They provide all the equipment and transport to the starting point of the rapids which is great
Lynette_B, Apr 2023
All the rafting guides were friendly and helpful which made our rafting experience loads of fun. Definitely recommend them.
Judy_L, Mar 2023
It was my first time white water rafting and I had an amazing time. I almost drowned at one point so I would really recommend working on swimming and making sure you are strong enough to potentially swim against currents to get to your raft. They are not kidding when they say you need to be confident in swimming and strong enough to paddle. If you don’t paddle enough at some points, your raft will get stuck and you will have to jump out of your raft and swim to the nearest raft temporarily. The views were lovely and I had a great time despite almost drowning. I would highly recommend but make sure you read the waiver carefully and don’t have any of the medical conditions listed.
Response from Host, Apr 2023
Thank you for sharing your experience with us and recommending white water rafting despite your close call!
We take the safety of our customers very seriously and appreciate your feedback regarding the importance of being a confident and strong swimmer for this activity. We also encourage all participants to carefully read the waiver and ensure they have what it takes to participate.
Thanks again!
Brett_W, Feb 2023
The river was not going. They subsituted for another river. It was basically a float trip. Shouild have never been able to sell this tour. It did not run for weeks.
Response from Host, Feb 2023
Thank you for taking the time to submit your feedback. Unfortunately, the Shotover River has dried up with the lack of rain in the Otago region in the past month. As a result, the river's water levels dropped significantly, preventing us from running a safe rafting tour for our guests.
The Kawarau River Jet to Raft experience is less extreme than the Shotover, with grade 2-3 whitewater rapids.
We apologise for the inconvenience caused and hope that you were still able to get out and appreciate nature.
Melissa_C, Dec 2022
Loved the experience. Would absolutely do it again. We had so much fun. 1 of my friends was incredibly nervous going into it but even she felt safe and ended up having a lot of fun. They really emphasised on safety so we felt very safe on the water and on the treacherous drive up to the rafting start point. We went for the 8am slot and was back in queenstown by about 12:20pm -ish. The river was especially high and rough the morning we went but our raft didn't flip :D and none of us in the raft fell into the water. Felt very warm under the wetsuit and rafting gear. Was hilarious they kept reminding people to not pee in the wetsuit. Please don't pee in the wetsuit. Everybody will be able to tell you've pee-ed in it. Very much appreciated the hot shower afterwards before our drive back to queenstown. Absolutely loved the experience.
Response from Host, Dec 2022
Repeat after us: I WILL NOT PEE IN MY WETSUIT.
Thanks for this epic review Melissa, and congratulations on keeping the raft upright! You were all legends in the rapids - we hope to see you again one day.
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Queenstown Shotover River White Water Rafting
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Free Cancellation
From
$181.62
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