Dart River Jet Boat and Wilderness Experience
Overview
Available languages
4 hours
Mobile ticket
Immerse yourself in an authentic New Zealand adventure as you journey deep into the heart of world-renowned Mt Aspiring National Park, a truly unique and untouched world. This is not just a jet boat ride, but a combination of activities designed to connect you with the real New Zealand.
Experience 2 hours of breath-taking scenery and wilderness jet boating on braided, glacier-red rivers in this UNESCO World Heritage Area. Our experienced guides add a personal touch with stories about the history, the Greenstone trail and Māori legends from our own Ngai Tahu ancestors. An unmissable journey through spectacular scenery where mythology, heritage & fantasy meet reality.
Where else can you pack so much into a half day of adventure and exploration?
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately and wear a warm outer layer (Extra layers on colder days)
Minimum child age 3 years old and minimum height of 3’3.5’’(1 meter) applies irrespective of child’s age
Life jackets are mandatory and supplied along with optional spray jackets
It is recommended that you wear comfortable, supportive close-toed shoes
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Journey deep into the heart of world-renowned Mt Aspiring National Park, where myth, heritage and fantasy come to life. The ultimate, original half day Wilderness Jet boat adventure takes you on an unforgettable journey along the braided, glacier-fed Dart River. Experience the unique combination of breath-taking scenery and an exhilarating ride as we take you deep into Mt Aspiring National Park – a UNESCO World Heritage Area. An unmissable journey through spectacular scenery where mythology, heritage & fantasy meet reality. Where else can you pack so much into a half day of adventure and exploration? Your trip: 2 hours of wilderness jet boating and spectacular scenery across the braided, glacier-fed Dart River Learn about flora, fauna & history of the land Learn about the Pounamu (Greenstone) that made the Dart River a key trading route for our Ngāi Tahu ancestors, the early Maori of the area Hear tales of rich farms carved from the rugged landscape by early settlers
What‘s Included
Jet boat ride
Round trip transport from Queenstown (selected departures)
Use of Life-Jackets (Mandatory) and optional spray jackets
Professional Guide
Food and drinks
Gratuities
Options
Wilderness Jet from Queenstown
Duration: 4 hours
Including Return Transport: IMPORTANT: Return transport, check-in inside the Station Building, Queenstown, 1 hour 15 minutes prior to your booking time.
Pickup included
Wilderness Jet from Glenorchy
Duration: 2 hours
Self-drive to Glenorchy: Please check-in at the Glenorchy base 15 minutes prior to your booking time (45 Mull Street, Glenorchy)
Reviews
524 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Must do trip
B5706CTmeganw,,Jan 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing day. Gorgeous scenery. Super fun ride. Dean, our driver, was excellent : very knowledgeable and lots of fun. Bus trip from Queenstown was comfortable and Mac, our driver, had great commentary along the way. Would highly recommend this trip and this company.
Exhilarating time on the river
PAUL T,,Jan 9, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Loved getting out away from the Queenstown crush and feeling in the middle of the wilderness. Jordan was a great driver and kept the mood light and fun. If it’s windy, be ready for the dust off the rocks!
Get a whole lot of thrills here.
Karaka1,,Jan 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Not scary like speeding up beside rock walls and charging at boulders in the river but a comfortable pace of speed and spins in very little water. Thanks Dean for the fun and the commentary. It's the only way to see these parts of NZ, when the road ends and a river is the only way to go forth. Longest jetboat ride in NZ, I believe. Value for money. Professional operation as I would expect from Ngai Tahu.
Outstanding Dart River Jet Boat Experience
tombontom,,Jan 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an incredible jet boat experience along the Dart River with Pedro as our pilot. From the moment we arrived he made everyone feel welcome and completely at ease, and his knowledge of the landscape and local environment added so much depth to the trip. His piloting skills through the braided river were outstanding – fast, fun, and always confident and controlled. This was one of our absolute highlights of our time in New Zealand, and we’re already hoping to come back next year to experience the Funyaks as well. Couldn’t recommend this highly enough.
Highly recommend!!
RVfam,,Dec 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was a highlight of our trip to New Zealand! Riding in the jet boat was very fun and the the views of Mt. Aspiring National Park were incredible. Pedro was an excellent driver and very knowledgable about Maori history and culture. We highly recommend this trip to anyone. If we get an opportunity to go back, we will try the jet boat/kayaking combo. Glenorchy is a cute little town surrounded by stunning mountains. We camped at Sylvan Campsite before our ride and really enjoyed it and the nearby hiking.
Must do experience!
fishpoi,,Dec 24, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00So much fun! Much do for sure. You won’t regret it! Amazing views. One of a kind experience. Would do again and again.
Fantastic Dart River Jet Boat
damianbO5389TQ,,Dec 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was a great experience from the initial booking. Friendly staff and professional boat driver. The trip up the Dart River was spectacular, both from a scenic perspective and the thrill of being in the jet boat. Stopping along the way to be told about the area and history also rounded out the trip - it wasn’t all ‘hold onto you hats’ for the whole journey but when Pedro said let’s go you definitely held on!! Great experience!
Really fun tour
537beckyk,,Dec 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00An absolutely enjoyable experience. Our experienced guide made sure we had fun by asking us what we wanted to do and see along the way. We were well cared for from start to finish. And the scenery was spectacular!
Way above expectations
Xumi89,,Dec 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had such a great time, way above our expectations! The place is absolutely stunning, from the drive from Queenstown to Glenorchy to the actual boating up the river into the national park everything is breathtaking! The experience was made even better by our boat driver Jordan, he’s fun and informative, and such a character! Haha. Great host. The reservations team was very helpful and it was all easily organised. Highly recommend.
Great fun
693beckyi,,Dec 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great fun! The views were great, the speed was fast and the spins were fun! Dean was a great driver and drove well and gave interesting info along the way too
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Operated by Dart River Adventures