Dart River Canoe and Jet Boat Experience from Queenstown
Overview
Available languages
8 hours 15 minutes
Mobile ticket
Discover the untamed beauty of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Mount Aspiring National Park on this full-day Dart River 'funyak' (inflatable canoe) and jet boat tour from Queenstown! Travel by coach to Glenorchy, where your adventure begins, and then hop aboard a jet boat and ride up the picturesque Dart River. Speeding through a landscape of outstanding natural beauty, your tour passes the 'Middle-earth' countryside that featured in the popular 'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy. In a secluded stretch of the river, swap the boat for your own easy-to-handle funyak and then paddle behind your attentive guide before stopping for a picnic lunch in the great outdoors!
No previous canoeing experience is required on this tour, and your guide will paddle at a leisurely pace to suit the group.
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Minimum height is 3.3 feet (1 meter)
Minimum age is 5 years
Please dress appropriately: bring swimwear, a towel and warm clothes
Please bring sunscreen and insect repellent
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Jet boat ride
Canoe tour
Professional guide
Picnic lunch
Round-trip transport from Queenstown (select from Queenstown option)
Use of equipment: lifejacket, wetsuits and booties, fleece, dry bag
Soft drinks, tea and coffee
Gratuities
What To Expect
Discover an untouched world and connect with nature on this action-packed full day journey deep into the heart of Mt Aspiring National Park. If you do only one activity in Queenstown. This is it. Experience the exhilaration of a jet boat ride combined with a leisurely downstream float in our easy to use Funyaks (inflatable kayaks), a unique way to explore hidden side streams and a dramatic chasm inaccessible by other means. Enjoy the peace and tranquility of this untouched world at your own pace and enjoy a picnic lunch before heading through Paradise on a 4WD bus journey back to Glenorchy. *No experience required A unique journey combining kayaking with jet boating, nature, and adventure. Includes lunch! An hour of wilderness jet boating and spectacular scenery across the braided, glacier-fed Dart River to your Funyak launch site Professional, friendly guides take you on an inspiring adventure as you gently drift back downstream in your own Funyak. Explore hidden side-streams, rockpools and a dramatic chasm. Learn about the Pounamu (Greenstone) that made the Dart River a key trading route for our Nga-i Tahu ancestors, the early Ma-ori of the area.
Options
Funyaks from Glenorchy
Duration: 6 hours
Self-drive to Glenorchy: Self-drive to Glenorchy: Please check-in at our Glenorchy base 15 minutes prior to your booking time (at 9.15am).
Funyaks from Queenstown
Duration: 8 hours
Including return transport: IMPORTANT: Return transport, check-in inside the Station Building, Queenstown, 1 hour 15 minutes prior (at 8.15am).
Pickup included
Reviews
319 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Stunning and Fun
Amanda P,
Aug 13, 2025
- Viator
5.00What an amazing experience! I love seeing the spectacular views of the mountains and river. Seriously my favorite activity I did in New Zealand! Love love love! And great guides too! Shout out to Rob!
Guides were fantastic, beautiful views, relaxing and fun.
JangHyun R,
Aug 1, 2025
- Viator
5.00All the guides were fantastic. We had Rob, Brendan, John and Toby. Would highly recommend even for a beginner adventurer.
Must - Do experience
Katie C,
Jul 26, 2025
- Viator
5.00Such an amazing day in Mount Aspiring park! Knowledgeable and helpful guides in Rob, Georgia, John and Toby. Staff provided necessary gear and the lunch was a great spread and accommodated allergies well. Would highly highly recommend to anyone in Glenorchy !
Great activity!
James B,
Mar 14, 2025
- Viator
5.00Beautiful day. Didn't rain. Staff were friendly and enjoyable. Not strenuous. The gorge was the highlight, it was . . . gorgeous! Really pretty. I get could easily, so wish I'd work gloves and a knit hat for the jet ride, but no one else seemed to have trouble. They did advise bringing gloves and a hat, but it was a sunny day so I left them in the locker room. My wife and I really enjoyed the activity and are very glad we did it. Great memory. Will definitely recommend to friends and family.
Well designed and supported
Kathy B,
Mar 8, 2025
- Viator
5.00We had a fantastic time. It is so helpful to have them provide all of the gear (wetsuit, booties, fleece, raincoat, and a gater that proved helpful in a variety of ways—hair control, face cover, hat protector). The jet boat ride was a thrill. When we got to the funyak portion, the guides did a great job dividing up the large group into smaller units based on age, and even offered parents the option of having the kids ride with a guide. The guides were endlessly patient as people got stuck or fell behind so that by the end of the trip we were all feeling great. The food was delicious and the side trip into the chasm was gorgeous.
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Operated by Dart River Adventures