Rafting

Shotover River White Water Rafting

Rafters navigating rapids on Shotover River, Queenstown, during a whitewater rafting adventure.

Brace yourself for a ride down the Shotover River. Tackle grade 3-5 rapids, navigate a dark tunnel, and soak in epic canyon scenery with expert guides.

Highlights

Raft the fast-moving waters of the Shotover River with an expert guide, tackling intense grade 3-5 rapids on this adrenaline-fueled adventure.
Travel by coach through the narrow, 22 km-long Skippers Canyon, where sheer cliffs drop to the winding Shotover River far below.
Ride through the 170m-long Oxenbridge Tunnel, carved during the gold rush, before bursting out into the churning whitewater of Cascade Rapid.
Paddle through surging rapids, surrounded by rugged schist cliffs and panoramic views of the Remarkables mountain range.
Fun fact: During the gold rush, the Shotover River was one of the world’s richest gold-bearing rivers, earning it the nickname "the richest river in the world!"

Inclusions

2-hour rafting on the Shotover River
Professional rafting guides
Round-trip bus transfer between Queenstown and the rafting base
All rafting and safety equipment including wetsuit and helmet
Use of hot showers
Complimentary photos (sent to your email)

Exclusions

Food & beverages

Cancellation Policy

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

Your experience

A journey through history and heights

If roads had a thrill rating, Skippers Canyon would be a solid grade 5. It’s a road so steep and narrow that rental car companies won’t even insure you to drive it. Luckily, you’ll be in good hands with a pro behind the wheel, giving you time to soak in the jaw-dropping views of sheer rock walls and the winding Shotover River far below. Arriving at the rafting base, you’ll suit up in full rafting gear and get a safety briefing from your expert guide – who, by the way, knows this river like the back of their paddle. Then, it’s time to hit the water!

This river doesn’t play nice

Gliding onto the river at Deep Creek, the water starts out calm, but don’t get too comfortable. Before you know it, you’ll be navigating churning, grade 3-5 rapids, dodging rugged schist boulders, and gripping your paddle as waves crash over the raft. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, you’ll disappear into the darkness of the 170-meter-long Oxenbridge Tunnel, a relic from the gold rush days. One last plunge through the roaring Cascade Rapid, and you’ve conquered the Shotover! Back at base, warm up with a hot shower before heading back to Queenstown. Relive your experience with the digital photos sent directly to your email to prove you braved one of New Zealand’s most legendary rivers.

Know before you go

What to bring

Bring your swimsuit and towel.

What’s not allowed

Safety is a priority so this experience is restricted for guests under the weight of 40kg (88.18lb), over the weight of 118kg (260.15lb) and under the age of 13 years.
Keep in mind cameras are not allowed on this experience. Pack wisely!

Accessibility

This experience is not accessible by wheelchair.
Pregnant people and guests with back issues, cardiac issues, and other serious medical conditions cannot participate in the experience.

Additional information

All participants must sign a waiver form.
Guests under 16 years old must have a guardian traveling with them and all guests under 18 years old must have a waiver form signed by a guardian.
Guests must be water-confident, able to swim in fast-moving water, and agree to carefully follow instructions from the guides.
Guests should have a moderate physical fitness level.
The operator reserves the right to refuse participation and cancel or amend any trips due to river, road, or weather conditions or insufficient numbers in the interest of all guests’ safety.

My tickets

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