Kayaking

Dart River "Funyaks" Canoe and Jet Boat Experience

Name: Dart River "Funyaks" Canoe and Jet Boat Experience
Start: 2025-03-01T09:30:00
End: 2025-03-01T10:30:00
Location: Queenstown

Tourists paddling inflatable kayaks on Dart River, surrounded by lush Queenstown landscapes.

Dart River Funyaks adventure with kayaks on a serene river in Queenstown, New Zealand.

Tourists paddling inflatable kayaks on Dart River, surrounded by lush mountains in Queenstown, New Zealand.

Speed up the Dart River on a jet boat, paddle a Funyak through hidden streams, explore epic film locations, and enjoy a scenic picnic in the wild.

Highlights

Experience the ultimate mix of adventure and scenery as you jet boat up the Dart River and paddle a Funyak through Mount Aspiring National Park’s wild beauty.
Glide through crystal-clear streams and hidden chasms in your Funyak, paddling past untouched landscapes teeming with native birds and lush beech forests.
Travel through the backcountry and see epic filming locations from The Lord of the Rings and X-Men, where Middle-earth and mutant battles came to life.
Worked up an appetite? Enjoy a delicious riverside picnic, and upgrade your experience with optional round-trip transfers from Queenstown.
Fun fact: Mount Aspiring, the park’s namesake, is often called the "Matterhorn of the South" for its towering, pyramid-like peak reaching 3,033 meters.

Inclusions

“Funyaks” canoe tour
Jet boat ride
Expert local guide
All safety equipment including life jacket and dry bag
Picnic lunch
Beverages (soft drinks, tea, and coffee)
Round-trip transfers from Queenstown (based on selected option)

Exclusions

Gratuities

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

Your experience

Jets and paddles

Get ready to dive into adventure – starting with a splash! Your journey kicks off with a high-speed jet boat ride along the Dart River, where braided channels weave through a valley of towering peaks. Feel the rush as your driver expertly navigates tight corners, throws in some epic spins, and takes you deep into Mount Aspiring National Park. Then, swap horsepower for paddle power as you step into a Funyak, your inflatable canoe for the day. With no engine noise, just the sound of your paddle dipping into crystal-clear water, you’re free to soak in the sheer tranquility of this UNESCO-listed wonderland.

Wait. Is this a movie?

If the landscapes feel straight out of a fantasy epic, that’s because they are. As you drift through the park’s hidden side streams and peaceful rock pools, you’ll be gliding past real-life filming locations from The Lord of the Rings and X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Imagine elves marching through the valley or Wolverine charging across the riverbanks – it all happened right here. Take a break to enjoy a picnic lunch in the heart of the wilderness before continuing your paddle through scenes so stunning, they had to be captured on film. And if you’d rather sit back and let someone else handle the ride home, opt for round-trip transfers from Queenstown for a hassle-free end to the day.

Know before you go

What to bring

Bring your swimsuit, towel, warm clothes, insect repellent, hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.

What's not allowed

Safety is a priority so this experience is restricted for guests under the age of 5 years and under the height of 1m (3.28ft).

Accessibility

This experience is not accessible by wheelchair.
Choose safety and comfort: This experience is not the best fit for pregnant people and people with back issues.

Additional information

Life jackets, dry bags, wetsuits, booties, and fleece tops are provided and mandatory.
No experience is required, but guests should be comfortable in the water.
For winter or cooler summer days, it’s highly recommended to wear thermals, a warm outer layer, gloves, and a windproof jacket.

My tickets

Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.
Please arrive at the meeting point 15 mins before the scheduled time of your visit to avoid any delays.
Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the meeting point.