Mt Aspiring Jet Boat & Wilderness Walk - Small-Group, Wanaka
Overview
Available languages
4 hours
Mobile ticket
We're the only jet boat company that takes you to the very base of Mount Aspiring and its surrounding glaciers, deep into the Matukituki wilderness where roads can't go. It's a true half-day expedition - jet boating plus a guided walk through rainforest and high country to a stunning waterfall, not a quick thrill ride. Small groups, with local guides who know and love this country.
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Minimum age is 4 years
Maximum is 10 people per booking
What To Expect
This isn't just a jet boat ride - it's a half-day wilderness expedition into Mount Aspiring National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage area. Wanaka River Journeys is the only operator that jet boats to the very base of Mt Aspiring and its hanging glaciers, deep up the glacier-fed Matukituki River where no road reaches. Your adventure begins with a scenic shuttle around Lake Wanaka into the Matukituki Valley, surrounded by towering peaks, hanging glaciers and waterfalls. Then onto the river: a 50-minute jet boat ride up the glacier-fed Matukituki, across crystal-clear shallows and braided streams, with the famous spins and quiet pauses in deep alpine pools while your local guide shares the stories of the land. The journey continues on foot - a 60-minute guided walk through ancient beech rainforest and high country station to a stunning waterfall, with photo stops and scenery most visitors never reach. Then a final 50-minute jet boat run back down the river to the shuttle and back to Wanaka. Small groups, expert local guides, round-trip Wanaka transfers and all gear included. Roughly four hours; suitable for most fitness levels; families welcome (minimum age 4).
Options
Jet Boat & Wilderness Walk
A half day wilderness Jet boating adventure with stunning views of Glaciers, Mt Aspiring and Lord of the Rings film locations. Guided walk through ancient forests and waterfalls, suited for all ages
What‘s Included
Shuttle transfer
Life jackets
Heated hand rails and footrests (in cold weather)
Wet weather gear
Food and drinks
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
273 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
A must-do experience in Wanaka!
Andres B,May 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Highly recommended for anyone visiting Wanaka! And so much fun too! You not only go deep into Mt. Aspiring National Park via the river, but also stop for a short and easy hike where you’ll learn about the natural history of the area. Our tour guide was professional, very knowledgeable, and friendly and personable. We hope to redo this jet boat tour in the future!
Fantastic Jet boat day on the Makukituki River that feeds Lake Wanaka.
petertU417KZ,Apr 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a super fun ride today on Ben's Jet Boat going a very long way up the Makukituki River that feeds Lake Wanaka. It included a nice walk in the forest on the upper river. Many thanks both for a great day. Peter & Jenny, from Sydney.
Great experience
Daydream55779287518,Mar 25, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The jet boat ride was lots of fun. We had a very skilled driver. The walk was nice.
Wonderful jetboat experience into the gorgeous depths of Mount Aspiring National Park
Simpsonhi2021,Mar 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Gorgeous jetboat ride into the depths of Mount Aspiring National Park. Ben was a wonderful guide and looked out for everyone while pointing out interesting things throughout the day. It was so special to see cows by the river and sheep crossing creeks right beneath glaciers and by the turquoise river. Thank you!
The boat was a thrill ride
R5161LCjohnk,Mar 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fantastic experience up the glacial river and a walk through high country forest.
Trip of a life time
Climber67923726825,Feb 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing adventure, viewing sites not usually seen Staff were extremely helpful and kind Lovely scenery, plus the bush walk
Great experience overall and I would recommend it to others.
S2913QXdebbieh,Feb 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We loved this jetboating experience and walk. Our guide Ben was very capable and we felt very safe. We appreciated his knowledge of the area too. It was fairly pricy but we felt the experience was worthwhile and the scenery was spectacular. The walk was enjoyable too. It was very easy and the waterfall was nice.
Thrilling , exciting super driver
421trevort,Feb 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Actually this was 5/5 . This guy is has a great dry sense of humour . The jet boat and spins were amazing . Do it again and again entertained by this great guy of a driver clearly a proud New Zealander and super knowledgeable.
Do it if I have a chance
895dusanp,Feb 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Absolutely fabulous, very well organised, friendly staff and a ride of that boat… god that was great,
Thrilling adrenaline jet boat ride - felt as though I was flying across the river …..
judy ian 9,Feb 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This trip is about 3 1/2 hours and what a brilliant experience it was in the safe hands of our pilot Olly - at times it was impossible to know which part of the braided river Olly would steer us through at speed - it was exhilarating. Firstly we had the option of wearing a waterproof coat - a bit like a dressing gown and then over that we all had to put on a life jacket. He then assessed our group in terms of height. My husband and I being over 5’ 10” were chosen to sit in the front alongside Olly and as later we would find out, the windscreen in front of us saved us from getting very wet! But being tall, meant that we had long enough legs to reach the foot plate and long enough arms to hold onto the bar. Once the boat was loaded, he explained that if he made a circular arm and hand movement that would mean he would spin the boat 360 degrees! And he did so on about 4 separate occasions. The boat is capable of going along extremely shallow water at speed but Olly’s skill enables him to read the braided river Olly- although he did admit that when the wind got up and caused dust from the loose coarse gravel or sand it made it more difficult to navigate and it was a changing river course. The river, Matukituki is fed by the glaciers from Mt Aspiring National Park. The speeding ride took us to where he rammed the boat into the bank to enable us to disembark and go for a wilderness walk. Olly shared stories of the past life of those who trod this wilderness. The walk took us into ‘the bush’ and lasted about 30 mins when we returned to fortunately find the boat still there. We then boarded once more for another thrilling ride, skimming across the shallow water back to the source of the Matukituki. Olly would stop along various parts of the river to point out Mountains or other interesting features - he was brilliant.
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Operated by Wanaka River Journeys