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
368 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
A Must Do for Any Adventure Seekers
ismith1961,Mar 28, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00An amazingly exhilarating experience with a professional outfit. This is a must do for anyone who is looking to do something adventurous. Our guide Matt, was sensational and looked after our group of four perfectly. This tour is more suited to people who feel safe in the water. The bus trip to the site is an adventure in itself with a winding gravel road adjacent to steep cliffs. Once at the starting point, the guides gave clear concise instructions and an honest assessment of what you might expect, including the risks, which are real. That said, our group consisted of two 65 year olds and two 50 year olds and we never felt that we were in any danger given that our guide was very experienced (and awesome) and the way all of the tour guides operated. The rapids were amazing and it was much more ‘full on’ than I had expected. Thoroughly recommend this to any adventure seeking persons.
So good we did it twice!
jarrenp2024,Mar 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I did the Kawaru river first to see all of the LOTR scenes, and it was super fun! Our team leader/guide was Sia and she did an amazing job. My friends and I got to jump into the river multiple times and had a blast rafting. We had so much fun we immediately booked the Shotover river since it has higher level rapids. We got lucky enough to raft with Sia again and it was even better than Kawaru river. We went during low water levels but the rapids were still exciting to go through. The wetsuits they provide are extremely thick so I recommend jumping/falling in as often as possible!
White water raftin
connorbS1110NS,Mar 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I did the white water raft with realnz in Queenstown twice in one trip. Both times were excellent. The first time we were fortunate enough to have Sia has our raft master. She was a lot of fun and let us have a good time. We enjoyed the K river so much we decided to do another river on our trip. Thankfully we got Sia again and she performed exceptionally again. Overall amazing experience and anyone passing through queenstown should do this raft adventure.
Fantastic experience
AnnB262,Mar 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was such a great choice of experience to do. We were well briefed and we felt their attention to safety detail was excellent. Harry and Sia were great guides. The road trip to the point at which we started the ride was awesome too. Scary at times but what a journey while we were told a bit of history of the mountains as we went along. A real thrilling raft experience, well worth the money.
Fantastic rafting experience fell in love with the river!
Debbie E,Mar 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fabulous day and great first rafting experience. Now want to do more 👏
Really fun
Odyssey05280559180,Mar 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Really good experience. Would definitely recommend
Amazing Raft Session
W7483ZKwilliamv,Mar 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing time with our skipper Sia ! The river is beautiful and the session really sporty and challenging
White Knuckle Ride
davidcN5430VC,Mar 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Wonderful days rafting with a very professional crew, Bused from Queenstown thru Skippers Canyon worth the trip alone to the start of a 20km run of G2-G5 rapids . March run was still very enjoyable as water levels a little low but still some very technical falls and white knuckle rides.... Thinking of going again ,tomorrow.
MUST-DO
saratasca,Mar 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Absolutely a must-do if you’re looking to immerse yourself in nature’s beauty and have a blast! From the beginning to the end, our guides provided fascinating insights into the river’s history and the old gold mining activity. Our trip was particularly high voltage, thanks to our fantastic guide, Sia! We highly recommend this tour during the high season when the river level is higher, offering better rapids and more splashing. Nevertheless, we thoroughly enjoyed the full 4 hours and definitely worth it for the price.
Excellent white water rafting
Scenic17513655953,Mar 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Awesome trip. Great coach driver and excellent river guide, Morgan. Would recommend.
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Operated by RealNZ