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
329 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Whitewater rafting shot over real nz Feb 2026
Explorer810479,,Feb 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Run by real nz booked via challenge rafting. Great experience throughly recommend. We are bunch of people late 50s reasonable level of fitness and water confident. The rafting was a breeze. Top tip- listen to the instructions of your boat leader. Some rapids but lots of calm waters for relaxing, chatting and enjoying the incredible scenery. Great H&S briefing and all the gear to keep you warm and safe. Jacob looked after us extremely well in the boat thank you Jacob (the treatments at the Hilton spa was super)
I WOULD DO IT AGAIN!
OnAir33335138038,,Feb 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Exciting, exhilarating, scenic, fun and most importantly safe. This was my first time going white river rafting. I was a little apprehensive but the experience spectacular and I’m ready to do it again. Benjy was our guide and his expertise guided us well the whole time. Another bonus was he was so much fun with tremendous about of humor. Wendy Dowling
Awesome and worthwhile activity to do!!!!
N5631GVashm,,Feb 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was a great experience, so so much fun!! When booking the activity this was very high on the expectation level because the low price and duration of activity. Matt was an absolute G and he made the rafting experience sensational 🙏🏾
Perfect Experience
Fearless37554461126,,Feb 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00The experience was great & Matt was a bloody legend. Let us jump out a few times & float down the river. Perfect experience worth the money on a beautiful sunny day
Incredible from bus ride to final rapid
chasel784,,Feb 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was a world-class experience from start to finish. The bus ride to the river featured the best safety briefing I’ve ever had—Harry was hilarious and kept the energy high while perfectly conveying the importance of the safety protocols. Once on the river, our guide Finn was phenomenal. He navigated the Grade 2–4 rapids with total expertise and a calm confidence that made us feel completely safe. In the calmer sections, his stories about the area's history were a fantastic touch. Finn’s ability to read both the water and the crew in his raft is a true talent. Absolutely worth doing a second time, I highly recommend this experience for any confident swimmer.
It was amazing. We...
Crystal D,,Feb 10, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It was amazing. We definitely got more than our money's worth from this great trip. I went with my 13-year-old son and we both had a blast. Highly recommended!
Great trip with guide Benjy
stanleyrudkin,,Feb 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great trip led by our guide Benjy. Starts with a pretty interesting (!) coach ride through skippers canyon and then you get loads of time on the water. Really exciting over the rapids but still feels super safe and well managed by the guides. They even shared some really interesting facts about the river and its history as well
Shoutout to the staff!
Fearless28498625872,,Feb 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had the best day out on the Shotover River. The team made the trip so fun! Big shoutout to Benji and Josh!!
Unreal Experience
peightonj2026,,Feb 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Rafting the Shotover was a wicked experience and a ton of fun! Benji was a sick guide, with good banter and the river is full of history and sweet rapids! Definitely recommend! Shoutout Josh the driver #weloveyoujosh
Fantastic experience and exciting even for a first time nervous customer.
pru h,,Feb 7, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00I was extremely nervous and the guide on boat was so thorough explaining and looking after us throughout so I felt so pleased I did the whole thing.
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Operated by RealNZ