Private Tour
Queenstown Shotover River White Water Rafting
Overview
Available languages
4 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
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.
Additional Info
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
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!
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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. Please note for safety we have minimum weight restriction of 40 kg and maximum weight of 120 kg to participate
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
All necessary gear provided: Full wetsuit, rafting clothing and safety equipment
Food and drinks
Options
Shotover Raft
Shotover River: Shotover River Whitewater Rafting (grade 3-5) with 4WD adventure through Skippers Canyon
Reviews
360 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
First time white water rafting
Navigate679253,Mar 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What a fantastic experience- would definitely recommend- the road trip to rafts quite frightening- but well worth it
Rafting was such an adrenaline rush - a fabulous experience! Guides were great, put me at ease, as a novice, especially Dane & K
ROLLOVER73,Mar 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00An unforgettable experience
A really enjoyable experience on grade 3 and 4 rapids in a scenic location
B7495VLroberto,Mar 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A really enjoyable experience. Grade 3/4 rapids which were fun and exciting. Always felt managable though. The drive to the whitewater was quite the experience. The guides make the whole experience thoroughly enjoyable with plenty of funny comments coupled with some good insights about the area.
10/10 would recommend!
Hebe H,Mar 9, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Fantastic experience, we were with Benji and had an informative, fun and safe experience! Would definitely recommend to anyone!
Do it
jameswF4985CP,Mar 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing experience, great time, beautiful place with a couple of thrills!
Amazing Experience
P2060IDdaver,Mar 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The Shotover River is one of the best places to raft in the world. Although the water levels were low when I went, this did not take away from the experience and meant that the water was not flowing as fast but the rapids were had a much larger drop. I would definately recommend this expereince to anyone who is in QT as it is a fantastic day out. The guides are all very professional and have a strong focus on safety.
Team Jacob
megan k,Mar 6, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00What a 10/10 experience! Our tour guide was Jacob, and just like in the movie Twilight, I’m team Jacob. My dad loved it, and he’s from New Jersey, they don’t like anything. My dad also said Jacob was very friendly and knowledgeable and he felt “safe in his hands”. Personally, I felt like he projected his voice really well. Kind of like he was doing it from his diaphragm. I digress, you should do this tour, it’s great!
Incredible trip and fantastic staff.
667peterjamesl,Mar 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an awesome time with our guide Raju. Morgan and Jess were also amazing getting us ready to go rafting. The river is fantastic and exhilarating as well as stunningly beautiful and full of history. The staff are all very professional and fun people to be around, each with a great sense of humour. The river trip felt safe and well managed and there was clearly a lot of training, thought and practise that went into making this as special and enjoyable as it could have been, unlike some of the other places in New Zealand I have been rafting. 10/10 would recommend. Will be back again soon hopefully 😉
Great experience
shirleycV377JZ,Mar 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great experience with Harry, Finlay and Jess looking after us
Don’t miss out!
Pioneer41618227614,Mar 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Top tier team and guide. Would highly recommend this experience! Heaps of knowledge and skill with the organizers that safety was paramount yet fun was a priority l.
Related Experiences
Operated by RealNZ