A
Fantastic experience
Amazing time! Nikki was a fantastic boat driver! Highly recommend to anyone exploring the South Island
Dart River Jet Boat and Wilderness Experience
+9 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 4 hours
- Price from
- $188 / person
- Location
- Queenstown, New Zealand
- Rating
- 4.8 / 5 · 606 reviews
- Languages
- EN
- Group
- Small group, up to 15
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Confirmation
- Instant
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- Dart River Adventures
- Meeting point
- If you choose to self-drive to Glenorchy, please check-in at the Dart River base in Glenorchy 15 minutes prior to your selected trip time.
Description
Immerse yourself in an authentic New Zealand adventure as you journey deep into the heart of world-renowned Mt Aspiring National Park, a truly unique and untouched world. This is not just a jet boat ride, but a combination of activities designed to connect you with the real New Zealand. Experience 2 hours of breath-taking scenery and wilderness jet boating on braided, glacier-red rivers in this UNESCO World Heritage Area. Our experienced guides add a personal touch with stories about the history, the Greenstone trail and Māori legends from our own Ngai Tahu ancestors. An unmissable journey through spectacular scenery where mythology, heritage & fantasy meet reality. Where else can you pack so much into a half day of adventure and exploration?
Schedule & prices
- Runs
- Every day
- Start times
- 9:30 AM, 1:00 PM, and 2:00 PM
- Next available
- Thu, Oct 15
- Adult (ages 16+)
- $188
- Child (ages 5–15)
- $129
- Infant (ages 3–4)
- Free
Prices change with the date; the lowest is shown.
In demand: 23 of the next 90 departures are already sold out.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 14.
Tour Options
What's included
Included
Comfortable Return transport from Queenstown (selected departures)
Safety briefing and all required safety equipment, including life jackets
Guided interpretation of the region’s wildlife, landscape, and Māori heritage
Wilderness Jet boat ride on the Dart River through Mt Aspiring National Park
Spray jackets for comfort on the water
Professional and knowledgeable local guide providing commentary
Not included
Food and drinks
Gratuities
Pickup Locations & Times
If you select a trip with return transport from Queenstown, please check-in with the team inside the Station Building in Queenstown 1 hour 15 minutes prior to your selected trip time.
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.8
606 reviews
How it compares in Queenstown
- No. 20 by number of reviews among 427 tours in Queenstown
- Starting price $188 is 13% above the typical $166 for tours of similar length in Queenstown
Excurgo comparison of 427 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately and wear a warm outer layer (Extra layers on colder days)
- Minimum child age 3 years old and minimum height of 3’3.5’’(1 meter) applies irrespective of child’s age
- Life jackets are mandatory and supplied along with optional spray jackets
- It is recommended that you wear comfortable, supportive close-toed shoes
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Dart River Jet Boat and Wilderness Experience take?
Dart River Jet Boat and Wilderness Experience lasts about 4 hours.
How much does Dart River Jet Boat and Wilderness Experience cost?
Prices start at $188 per person for this Queenstown experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There are 2 booking options, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Dart River Jet Boat and Wilderness Experience run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 9:30 AM, 1:00 PM, and 2:00 PM.
How much does Dart River Jet Boat and Wilderness Experience cost for children?
Children aged 5–15 pay from $129, adults from $188. Infants go free.
Does Dart River Jet Boat and Wilderness Experience sell out?
It can: 23 of the next 90 departures are already sold out, so booking ahead is a good idea.
Can I cancel Dart River Jet Boat and Wilderness Experience for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup is offered. If you select a trip with return transport from Queenstown, please check-in with the team inside the Station Building in Queenstown 1 hour 15 minutes prior to your selected trip time.
What languages is Dart River Jet Boat and Wilderness Experience offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 15 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Minimum child age 3 years old and minimum height of 3’3.5’’(1 meter) applies irrespective of child’s age
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Reviews(606)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
F
Thrilling afternoon of spins and spectacular scenery.
An amazing adventure experience in Queenstown. The drive to Glenorchy is beautiful but the trip up the Dart River was just wow. Terrific afternoon out, Benn our driver was amazing and yes you do go fast, you do do spins and we did get out of the boat for some photos. Oh and you get a tad wet. A 10/10 afternoon, can’t wait to do it all again.
Operator response
Kia ora, Thank you for your fantastic review! We’re so pleased to hear you had such a thrilling afternoon exploring the Dart River. It sounds like Benn had you well looked after, with plenty of spins, spectacular scenery and a little bit of water along the way! We’re delighted you enjoyed the experience from the journey to Glenorchy right through to your time on the river. We love hearing that you’re already looking forward to doing it all again. We’d be delighted to have you back for another adventure! Ngā mihi / Kind regards, The Dart River Adventures Team
A
Amazing experience
We had an amazing experience doing the Dart River Jet Boat wilderness experience. Our guide, Benn, was super friendly and very knowledgable. The whole family love this experience. Highly recommended.
Operator response
Kia ora, Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re so pleased to hear you and your family had such an amazing time on the Dart River Wilderness Jet experience. We’ll be sure to pass your kind words on to Benn. It’s fantastic to hear that he helped make your experience so enjoyable with his friendly and knowledgeable guiding. Thank you for recommending us, and we hope to welcome you back to the Dart River again in the future! Ngā mihi / Kind regards, The Dart River Adventures Team
M
Dart River tour
A fabulous experience. All staff friendly and helpful. Guide was fabulous and knowledgeable. Beautiful views mixed with some fun. Highly recommended. Glenorchy a lovely town to visit.
A
You Must Book The Dart River Adventure
Our Dart River adventure with Josh as our driver was an absolute highlight of our trip. The drive into Glenorchy and the Dart River itself it one of the most beautiful locations I've ever seen. We chose this over the Shotover Jet because of both the location and the fact that we were able to stop and explore the area and take in the scenery with the longer ride, whilst still experiencing the thrill of the jetboat. This tour felt more personally tailored than the Shotover and didn't cost us too much more as a family of 5 (2 adults and 3 kids). 10/10 would recommend!
Operator response
Kia Ora AmandadU4756MY, Thank you so much for sharing such a fantastic review! We’re thrilled to hear the Dart River Adventure was a highlight of your trip and that you and your family enjoyed the combination of jet boating, stunning scenery and time to take in the surroundings. We’ll be sure to pass your lovely feedback on to Josh. It’s great to hear he helped make your experience such a memorable one. The Dart River really is a special place, and we’re delighted you chose to explore it with us. Thank you again for recommending Dart River Adventures, and we hope to welcome your family back for another adventure in the future! Ngā mihi, The Dart River Adventures Team.
B
Breathtaking
Fantastic! Loved it. The experience matched the breathtaking views, thanks to Benn, who was fantastic! Highly recommended!!
Operator response
Kia Ora BengZ8142EC, Thank you for your wonderful 5-star review! We’re so pleased to hear you loved your experience with us and enjoyed taking in the spectacular scenery along the Dart River. We’ll be sure to pass your kind words on to Benn. We’re lucky to have such fantastic guides who help make the experience even more memorable. Thanks again for joining us, and we hope to see you back on the Dart River again someday! Ngā mihi, The Dart River Adventures Team.
M
Exhilarating Jet Boating
What a wonderful and exciting adventure. Unbelievable scenery, a great host with Benn, our jet boat pilot, funny, entertaining and knowledgeable. Had the best time. 5 stars for Dart River Adventures.
Operator response
Kia Ora MarcelorJ2741VZ, Thank you so much for your fantastic 5-star review! We’re delighted to hear you had such a memorable time exploring the Dart River with us. We’ll be sure to pass your lovely feedback on to Benn. It sounds like he kept the adventure fun, entertaining and full of interesting stories along the way. We’re also glad you enjoyed the incredible scenery! Thanks again for choosing Dart River Adventures. We hope to welcome you back for another adventure in the future. Ngā mihi, The Dart River Adventures Team.
Q
Awesome don’t pass on this
It was an absolutely awesome trip and your staff are fantastic. We learnt so much and it was a great adventure. Benn is a great driver and Nikki was outright incredible. She put us onto a first rate camping site for the night too Dart River Adventures should be proud of this business and team and when we return to NZ we are definitely doing this tour again
Operator response
Kia ora, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear you had such an awesome adventure with us and enjoyed learning about the incredible Dart River and its surroundings. We'll be sure to pass your lovely feedback on to Ben and Nikki. It's fantastic to hear they helped make your experience so memorable, and we're delighted Nikki could also point you towards a great camping spot for the night! We'd love to welcome you back to Aotearoa for another adventure when you return. 😊 Ngā mihi / Kind regards, The Dart River Adventures Team
E
Unique Wilderness Experience
My second wilderness adventure with the Dart River team - fabulous experience, thank you! Everything was seamless, ease of booking, checkin, well organised, safe and so enjoyable. This year the water level was higher enabling exploration of areas not previously visited. Special thanks to Josh and Matt for their care, good humour and generally being very lovely.
Operator response
Kia Ora Elizabeth, Thank you so much for joining us again for another adventure! We're delighted to hear you had a fabulous experience and made some new memories exploring different parts of the river this year. Your kind words about Josh and Matt mean a lot to us, they’ll be thrilled to know they helped make your trip extra special. We truly appreciate your support and look forward to welcoming you back for more unforgettable moments on the Dart River. Ngā mihi, The Dart River Adventures Team.
D
Exhilarating Dart River jet
Absolutely exhilarating jet boat ride up across the northern tip of the icy azure coloured Lake Wakatipu and down into the braided branches of the Dart River Departing from the quaint village of Glenorchy, leading into the heart of the most spectacular majestic scenic views of snow covered mountains and untouched native forest of the Mount Aspiring National Park Shout out to Ben , our talented driver for expertly navigating the ever changing channels of the Awa and sharing your knowledge on the area’s past history of gathering and harvesting Pounamu
Operator response
Kia ora, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear you had such an exhilarating and memorable experience on the Dart River. It’s fantastic to hear that Ben helped make your journey extra special with his expert driving and knowledge of the area and its rich history. We’ll be sure to pass your lovely feedback on to him. We’re so glad you enjoyed the incredible scenery of Glenorchy, the Dart River and Mount Aspiring National Park. It truly is a very special part of Aotearoa. Thank you again for joining us, and we hope to welcome you back for another adventure in the future! Ngā mihi nui, The Dart River Team
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| Tour | Duration | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dart River Jet Boat and Wilderness Experience | 4 hours | 4.8 (606) | $188 | |
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from$188
4.8(606) Free cancellation