Queenstown Kawarau River Whitewater Rafting
Description
Raft the Kawarau River, perhaps better known as the River Anduin in Lord of the Rings, for a great half-day activity in Queenstown This is a perfect introduction to whitewater rafting for first-timers. There will be plenty of rapids action plus time to sit back and enjoy the spectacular scenery. Catch the free shuttle from the centre of town out to the raft base where you will be fitted out with all your gear. Your rafting adventure covers 8-kilometers of the river. Take on grade 2-3 rapids and perhaps the occasional grade 2-4 rapid, when there are higher water levels. Enjoy flat stretches of river between the rapids where you have the opportunity to race your friends on the other rafts or jump out and swim. Conclude your adventure by rafting the longest commercially rafted rapid in New Zealand, the Dog Leg. This is a 400-meter long and grade 3/4 rapid. Add some extra excitement by joining in on the optional cliff jumping section, or sit back and watch your friends take a leap.
Tour Options
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- You must bring a swimsuit and towel
- Maximum weight 120kg
- Minimum weight 40kg
- Minimum age is 13 years. Children aged between 13 and 15 years must be accompanied by a guardian
- Rafting with any heart condition is prohibited
- Rafting while pregnant is prohibited
- Must be able to swim confidently
- Participation in rafting activities involves a degree of risk and the rafting operator cannot absolutely guarantee participants' safety. Detailed whitewater rafting risk disclosures are available on the RealNZ website.
Reviews(74)
Great fun, knowledgeable guides who constantly worked to ensure we were captivated and entertained. Very easy, low level rapids so it was perfect for beginners. Took us about 4.5 hours all up with only 1 hour in the water. Couldn’t be helped. Lots of travel, set up and prep required to ensure we had a good experience. Got to jump in, swim, jump off rocks, bump into cliff edges, all very fun and safe.
That’s fantastic experience for all of our family, Morgan and Benji are the best instructors I ever met, they are both so professional and gave us complete sense of safety, fun, and exciting moments, and I am the one who worried a little about this tour because I am not a good swimmer and I was panic in the previous day’s canyon experience when I was in the water during the tour - I found I could not swim correctly with the gears! But Morgan and Benji were giving me lots of instructions and confidence and I was prepared to try swimming if I was accidentally getting into the water - however I didn’t because of Morgan’s just right instructions to us all. It’s really exciting and fun moments, my husband and my son enjoyed a lot and my son even tried cliff diving, Dean watched out and keep the jumpers safe. All of the staff members are very experienced, and interact with us perfectly, Morgan and Benji are both so humorous. Anyway, thanks so much for their help and professional service. We will definitely recommend this activity to others! All the best! Vivien
One of the best experiences of my trip to NZ. Great way to see the beautiful terrain and also learned that the river was in a scene from Lord of the Rings. Benji was an incredible guide/team coach and made the river trip super fun.
Ok...I thought this was going to be fun ... it was way more fun than I thought. Highly recommend Real NZ' Queenstown Kawrau Rafting Trip. Dan, Dane, Heiggy and Asa were awesome...friendly, funny and knowledgeable. Made our first time rafting family comfortable...get ready to get wet (don't worry, they outfit you will full wet suit and the swimming was very enjoyable!) and have some fun. Thanks again to Dane, Dan, Heiggy and Asa for a great day...your friends from Wisconsin, USA!
White water rafting was an incredible experience. Our guides (so sorry cannot remember their names) were awesome and made the rapids even that much more fun. Even got an opportunity to swim a bit and do some cliff jumping. This is a very family friendly event since the rapids were only level 2/3 (not bad at all), so for first timers, this is the one for you.
Amazing place and amazing instructors who made the experience even better!
The team was amazing. From the driver to the tour guides on the water, we had so much fun. The scenery was amazing the Rapids were good for a beginner.
Very cool experience with expert preparation and guidance from Morgan and Josh. Also doable for the elderly, if in good condition. You set your own limits.
Stupendous! So much fun & beauty. The crew was outstanding!! We are coming back again.
A well organised day from start to finish the crew were capable and enthusiastic in there jobs encouraging us new to rafting to get the most from our day, next trip I will try a more challenging white water rafting experience
