Queenstown’s famous Shotover River provides the white water rafting action for those looking for extra excitement and thrills. Drive through Skippers canyon to the start of the rafting. Raft your way down the Shotover river taking on the wild and untamed rapids. Finish the trip rafting through the darkness of the 170m Oxenbridge Tunnel and shoot the drop into Cascade Rapid.
Prices change with the date; the lowest is shown.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 10.
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
Excurgo comparison of 426 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Shotover River Rafting Trip from Queenstown lasts about 5 hours.
Prices start at $176 per person for this Queenstown experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 8:30 AM and 1:30 PM.
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Yes, pickup is offered.
The experience is available in EN.
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 15 participants.
Minimum age - 13 years - Children aged between 13 and 15 years must be accompanied by a guardian
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Travellers rate it 4.8 out of 5 across 117 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Challenge Rafting.
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
Our guide Will was great, very skilled and knowledgeable. Always felt safe and yet challenged. Would definitely recommend this company
Kia ora, Thank you for the lovely review. We're delighted you had such a great time on the river with us and felt well looked after throughout. We truly appreciate the recommendation. Ngā mihi nui, Challenge Rafting
A great and fun experience with wonderful guides! Plenty of thrills on the water and on the way there in the bus with the sheer sided walls of Skippers Canyon Rd! Enjoy!
Sia was outstanding 👍🏻 That said all the staff that we dealt with were amazing but was but Sia was brilliant. We felt so incredibly safe and well briefed on everything to do with having a fun day whilst safety being paramount
Kia ora, Thank you for your wonderful review. We're thrilled you had such a fantastic day on the river with us. Sia will be pleased to read your kind words. It's wonderful to hear that the entire team took good care of you from start to finish. Ngā mihi nui, Challenge Rafting
So much fun and is such a beautiful river. So lucky to be in that environment. I highly recommend it. My whole family loved it.
The whole trip super cool. Guy was an excellent guide on the road to the start point. Props to Levi the driver, who made a sketchy road look like a highway. The drive, incidentally was an adventure. Then we come to the rafting. We had Benj as a guide. He kept everyone calm. Taught us all we needed early and then hit some exhilarating rapids. A highlight of our trip. High five to Benj for making it a truly memorable day out in Qtown.
Kia ora, Thank you for your kind words. We’re glad to hear you enjoyed your experience with us from beginning to end. We will share your compliments with the team, they will be happy to know that rafting was a highlight for you. Ngā mihi nui, Challenge Rafting
Amazingly seamless experience in every aspect A wonderful company We felt safe but also great fun and senses of humour Jess was out raft leader and was 10/10 Thank you Jess We took our 3 young adult children and it was the perfect activity for us all I will never forget the colour of that water Thank you for a perfect day ❤️❤️❤️ Benji and Dan’s comic turn was entertaining on the bus ride!! Thanks lads!!!
Kia ora, Thank you for your wonderful review. We're so glad you enjoyed a memorable day on the river with your family. Jess will be excited to read your kind words, we'll be sure she sees this. Ngā mihi nui, Challenge Rafting
Highlight of our trip to NZ. Special shout out to our guide Muzz. Would recommend to all adrenaline seekers!
Did rafting with the family with Challenge Rafting in Queenstown (Grade 2-3 section of rapids) and it was excellent from start to finish. The guides were first-rate: calm, highly professional, and very good at reading the group. Clear instructions, good humour, and exactly the right balance between safety and fun. The scenery is genuinely stunning — classic Queenstown landscapes that make the whole experience feel bigger than just the rapids themselves. The rapids were exciting and properly fun, but never intimidating. Ideal for first timers while still delivering enough adrenaline to keep it engaging. You feel well looked after without it being over-managed. Well run, well paced, and thoroughly enjoyable. Would happily recommend to anyone considering rafting in Queenstown.
Kia ora, Thank you for your wonderful feedback. We're thrilled that you and your family enjoyed your time with us. It's lovely to hear that our team delivered the experience we strive for, making sure everyone feels comfortable and confident while still having plenty of excitement on the water. We truly appreciate your recommendation. Ngā mihi nui, Challenge Rafting
The equipment given was top notch. The staff was very funny and accommodating from first turning up at the rafting center. We had matt as our raft guide he was very friendly and made sue we had a great time. Would definitely do it again!
Kia ora Andy, Thank you for your wonderful feedback. We are pleased to hear that Matt and the team made sure you had a memorable rafting experience. We would love to have you back another time. Ngā mihi nui, Challenge Rafting
Great team of guides that took us down the river and a “must do”. I was impressed with the van drivers being able the traverse the goat track of a road. No way would I attempt to drive what they did. Challenging but fun.
Kia ora Robert, We're so happy to hear you found the rafting both a challenge and a blast. It truly means the world to us to be called a 'must-do.' Our guides will be thrilled to know that they helped create such a memorable experience for you. Best wishes, Challenge Rafting
| Tour | Duration | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shotover River Rafting Trip from Queenstown | 5 hours | 4.8 (117) | $176 | |
 Queenstown Shotover River White Water Rafting | 4h 30min | 4.8 (374) | $172 | View |
 Family Adventures Rafting and Sightseeing Trip in Queenstown | 5 hours | 4.9 (344) | $189 | View |
 Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Ride in Queenstown | 25 min | 4.8 (2,878) | $117 | View |
 Queenstown Kawarau River Rafting and Jet Boat | 4h 30min | 4.9 (181) | $189 | View |
 60 Minute Jet Boat Ride on the Kawarau and Shotover Rivers | 1 hour | 4.7 (627) | $91 | View |
 Shotover Canyon Swing | 2h 30min | 4.9 (167) | $177 | View |