Queenstown Shotover River White Water Rafting
Overview
Join our Queenstown Rafting team on the iconic Shotover River for a whitewater rapid adventure. Your adventure begins with a short transfer from Queenstown to the Rafting Base, where you'll be fitted with wetsuit, rafting clothing and safety gear.
From there, enjoy a 40-minute drive along the historic Skippers Canyon Road, renowned for its breathtaking scenery and reputation as one of New Zealand's most dangerous roads. Once you arrive at Deep Creek, you'll start on the upper section of the Shotover River,
where our world class guides will help you practise paddling techniques.
As you move into the lower canyon, the excitement builds with rapids like After Shock, Jaws, Toilet, and Sequel. The highlight of the journey comes as you plunge into the darkness of the 170-metre-long
Oxenbridge Tunnel before bursting into Cascade Rapid for a thrilling finish. After a short walk back to the Rafting Base, you can warm up with hot showers before returning to Queenstown.
What's Included
- Safety briefing: comprehensive instructions to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience
- Post-rafting comfort: Hot showers at Rafting Base
- Scenic 4WD Transfer: Travel along the iconic Skippers Canyon Road to your starting point
- Whitewater rapid adventure: Navigate the thrilling rapids of the Shotover River
- Return transport: Shuttle bus from our Queenstown store to the Rafting Base and back
- Photos included: complimentary digital photos sent directly to you after your experience
- All necessary gear provided: Full wetsuit, rafting clothing and safety equipment
- Food and drinks
Meeting Location
Beach Street
Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
What To Expect
Your adventure begins with a short transfer from Queenstown to the Rafting Base, where you'll be fitted with a wetsuit, life jacket, spray jacket, and helmet.
From there, enjoy a 40-minute drive along the historic Skippers Canyon Road, renowned for its breathtaking scenery and reputation as one of New Zealand's most
dangerous roads. Once you arrive at Deep Creek, you'll start on the upper section of the Shotover River, where your guide will help you practise paddling techniques. As you move into the lower canyon, the excitement builds with rapids like After Shock, Jaws, Toilet, and Sequel.
The highlight of the journey comes as you plunge into the darkness of the 170-metre-long Oxenbridge Tunnel before bursting into Cascade Rapid for a thrilling finish. After a short walk back to the Rafting Base, you can warm up with hot showers
before returning to Queenstown. Enjoy complimentary digital photos sent directly to you after your experience!
Please note for safety we have minimum weight restriction of 40 kg and maximum weight of 120 kg to participate
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Must be able to swim
- Rafting while pregnant is prohibited
- Rafting with any heart condition is prohibited
- Minimum weight 40kg
- Maximum weight 120kg
- Minimum age is 13 years. Children aged between 13 and 15 years must be accompanied by a guardian
- All travelers between the age of 16 and 17 years require a waiver to be signed by a guardian if they are unaccompanied
- You must bring a swimsuit and towel
- Rapids vary with water levels. Shotover route usually includes class 3-5 rapids, depending on conditions
- Digital photos included to remember your adventure!
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Frequently Asked Questions
(7)Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Queenstown Shotover River White Water Rafting?
Cancellation Policy
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Activity code: C-3342P27
Traveler Photos
Reviews
Average 4.84 out of 5 stars based on 213 traveler reviews collected by City Boat Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (7)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from City Boat Tours customers.
Filter by:
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (NZST).
- This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
- Safety briefing: comprehensive instructions to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
- Post-rafting comfort: Hot showers at Rafting Base.
- Scenic 4WD Transfer: Travel along the iconic Skippers Canyon Road to your starting point.
- Whitewater rapid adventure: Navigate the thrilling rapids of the Shotover River.
- Return transport: Shuttle bus from our Queenstown store to the Rafting Base and back.
- Photos included: complimentary digital photos sent directly to you after your experience.
- All necessary gear provided: Full wetsuit, rafting clothing and safety equipment.
- Food and drinks.
This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Apr 2025The minimum age to participate is 13..
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the Queenstown Shotover River White Water Rafting is as follows:
- Must be able to swim
- Rafting while pregnant is prohibited
- Rafting with any heart condition is prohibited
- Minimum weight 40kg
- Maximum weight 120kg
- Minimum age is 13 years. Children aged between 13 and 15 years must be accompanied by a guardian
- All travelers between the age of 16 and 17 years require a waiver to be signed by a guardian if they are unaccompanied
- You must bring a swimsuit and towel
- Rapids vary with water levels. Shotover route usually includes class 3-5 rapids, depending on conditions
- Digital photos included to remember your adventure!
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Queenstown Shotover River White Water Rafting will be included in your confirmation email from City Boat Tours. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024What's Included
- Safety briefing: comprehensive instructions to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience
- Post-rafting comfort: Hot showers at Rafting Base
- Scenic 4WD Transfer: Travel along the iconic Skippers Canyon Road to your starting point
- Whitewater rapid adventure: Navigate the thrilling rapids of the Shotover River
- Return transport: Shuttle bus from our Queenstown store to the Rafting Base and back
- Photos included: complimentary digital photos sent directly to you after your experience
- All necessary gear provided: Full wetsuit, rafting clothing and safety equipment
- Food and drinks
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Must be able to swim
- Rafting while pregnant is prohibited
- Rafting with any heart condition is prohibited
- Minimum weight 40kg
- Maximum weight 120kg
- Minimum age is 13 years. Children aged between 13 and 15 years must be accompanied by a guardian
- All travelers between the age of 16 and 17 years require a waiver to be signed by a guardian if they are unaccompanied
- You must bring a swimsuit and towel
- Rapids vary with water levels. Shotover route usually includes class 3-5 rapids, depending on conditions
- Digital photos included to remember your adventure!
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
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