Queenstown Kawarau River Whitewater Rafting
Overview
Available languages
4 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Raft the Kawarau River, perhaps better known as the River Anduin in Lord of the Rings, for a great half-day activity in Queenstown This is a perfect introduction to whitewater rafting for first-timers. There will be plenty of rapids action plus time to sit back and enjoy the spectacular scenery. Catch the free shuttle from the centre of town out to the raft base where you will be fitted out with all your gear.
Your rafting adventure covers 8-kilometers of the river. Take on grade 2-3 rapids and perhaps the occasional grade 2-4 rapid, when there are higher water levels. Enjoy flat stretches of river between the rapids where you have the opportunity to race your friends on the other rafts or jump out and swim. Conclude your adventure by rafting the longest commercially rafted rapid in New Zealand, the Dog Leg. This is a 400-meter long and grade 3/4 rapid. Add some extra excitement by joining in on the optional cliff jumping section, or sit back and watch your friends take a leap.
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
You must bring a swimsuit and towel
Maximum weight 120kg
Minimum weight 40kg
Minimum age is 13 years. Children aged between 13 and 15 years must be accompanied by a guardian
Rafting with any heart condition is prohibited
Rafting while pregnant is prohibited
Must be able to swim confidently
Participation in rafting activities involves a degree of risk and the rafting operator cannot absolutely guarantee participants' safety. Detailed whitewater rafting risk disclosures are available on the RealNZ website.
What To Expect
Meet our team at the RealNZ Visitor Centre at 88 Beach Street, Queenstown to begin your adventure! The courtesy coach will take you to raft base to collect all the gear included as part of the package. Once your all kitted up and ready to go, the raft guides will take you to the beginning of the rapids for the extensive safety briefing. Raft through grade 2-3 rapids, take in the beautiful views, choose to join in on the optional rock jumping section for added fun. Please note for safety we have minimum weight restriction of 40 kg and maximum weight of 120 kg to participate.
Options
Kawarau Whitewater Rafting
What‘s Included
Use of hot showers
Coach transport to and from Raft Base
Wetsuit, rafting clothing and all other equipment provided
Extensive safety instructions and paddling techniques
Food and drinks
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
74 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great beginners rafting trip.
Resort02755031258,Apr 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great fun, knowledgeable guides who constantly worked to ensure we were captivated and entertained. Very easy, low level rapids so it was perfect for beginners. Took us about 4.5 hours all up with only 1 hour in the water. Couldn’t be helped. Lots of travel, set up and prep required to ensure we had a good experience. Got to jump in, swim, jump off rocks, bump into cliff edges, all very fun and safe.
Lifetime 1st rafting experience - amazing!
shengv2022,Apr 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00That’s fantastic experience for all of our family, Morgan and Benji are the best instructors I ever met, they are both so professional and gave us complete sense of safety, fun, and exciting moments, and I am the one who worried a little about this tour because I am not a good swimmer and I was panic in the previous day’s canyon experience when I was in the water during the tour - I found I could not swim correctly with the gears! But Morgan and Benji were giving me lots of instructions and confidence and I was prepared to try swimming if I was accidentally getting into the water - however I didn’t because of Morgan’s just right instructions to us all. It’s really exciting and fun moments, my husband and my son enjoyed a lot and my son even tried cliff diving, Dean watched out and keep the jumpers safe. All of the staff members are very experienced, and interact with us perfectly, Morgan and Benji are both so humorous. Anyway, thanks so much for their help and professional service. We will definitely recommend this activity to others! All the best! Vivien
A must-do inclusion for a warm weather Queenstown visit
sleoverseas,Apr 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00One of the best experiences of my trip to NZ. Great way to see the beautiful terrain and also learned that the river was in a scene from Lord of the Rings. Benji was an incredible guide/team coach and made the river trip super fun.
Way More Fun Than We Expected!
495edc,Mar 30, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Ok...I thought this was going to be fun ... it was way more fun than I thought. Highly recommend Real NZ' Queenstown Kawrau Rafting Trip. Dan, Dane, Heiggy and Asa were awesome...friendly, funny and knowledgeable. Made our first time rafting family comfortable...get ready to get wet (don't worry, they outfit you will full wet suit and the swimming was very enjoyable!) and have some fun. Thanks again to Dane, Dan, Heiggy and Asa for a great day...your friends from Wisconsin, USA!
Awesome rafting experience.
India J,Mar 19, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00White water rafting was an incredible experience. Our guides (so sorry cannot remember their names) were awesome and made the rapids even that much more fun. Even got an opportunity to swim a bit and do some cliff jumping. This is a very family friendly event since the rapids were only level 2/3 (not bad at all), so for first timers, this is the one for you.
Truly recommend
flordA8739AP,Mar 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing place and amazing instructors who made the experience even better!
So much fun, five stars
David G,Mar 19, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The team was amazing. From the driver to the tour guides on the water, we had so much fun. The scenery was amazing the Rapids were good for a beginner.
Whitewater rafting at Queenstown
D1203VSireneb,Mar 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very cool experience with expert preparation and guidance from Morgan and Josh. Also doable for the elderly, if in good condition. You set your own limits.
Don’t miss experience!!!!!
J4881RMjims,Mar 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Stupendous! So much fun & beauty. The crew was outstanding!! We are coming back again.
A well organised day from...
Kym F,Mar 12, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00A well organised day from start to finish the crew were capable and enthusiastic in there jobs encouraging us new to rafting to get the most from our day, next trip I will try a more challenging white water rafting experience
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Operated by RealNZ