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
287 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
An exceptional White Water Rafting run down the Shotover River- Unforgetable.
Roving12918239544,,Jan 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was a top quality white water experience. Benji, our guide, made it fun and trained us to be safe on the river as a team. I could not recommend this highly enough. My last white water rafting experience was in Austria and this experience was just a level up on that for water flow, rapid runs and sheer natural beauty. The Real NZ team offered such an amazing experience, one I have dreamed of for years. Just exceptional and a must do for anyone visiting New Zealand.
Amazing white water experience!
ryanjX3919OA,,Jan 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What an awesome experience! Our guide Muz is an absolute ⭐️ and made the rafting an adrenaline fueled ride to remember. The rapids were so much fun and the scenery is stunning. The drive down Skippers Rd was spectacular. All the staff were super friendly and fun. Highly recommended!
A lot of fun
Sussex Robin,,Jan 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Lots of fun! A warm welcome, friendly, & keen to engage positively with customers. Felt safe in care of Finn. See you again
Great but not brilliant
NellieQueensland,,Jan 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00As much as I loved this trip I don’t think the hype lived up to reality. Yes Georgous river views, expert friendly guides who went over and above to make sure everyone is safe but the build up with safety precautions builds you into adrenaline hype only to have slight thrill for maybe 2 minutes out of a 2 hour rafting trip. If anyone is slightly concerned about if this is dangerous do not give it a second thought just go for it. Go for the scenery and not for the thrill. I totally understand these days business owners need to cover their backsides but this is over the top careful.
Experience white water rafting
OnAir36042095573,,Jan 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The tour was most efficient with great guides. The staff were friendly and laid back making the entire experience enjoyable. The scenery was absolutely amazing. just have to experience it.
Best experience!
Climber35553427972,,Jan 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Absolute best experience. Our guides Sim and Jacob were amazing! They made the experience so enjoyable and fun for everyone and were so friendly. Jacob had great facts and jokes on the bus to the starting point and helped put everyone at ease. 10/10 would recommend and would absolutely do it again when I come back to Queenstown!
Best morning in Queesntown
TrailBlazer403855,,Jan 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had our guide, Maria, who was absolutely awesome! Great experience and highly recommend it! It was an extreme adrenaline rush and without Maria all the rifts would have been impossible to conquer without capsizing. Overall amazing experience and would definitely do it again.
Great family adventure.
Excursion07178432324,,Jan 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a really great time as a family doing the Shotover whitewater rafting trip. Our guide was excellent and showed us the ropes and a significantly safer and more enjoyable time than in other countries we have rafted. I’d highly recommend.
Bloody epic!
CarlyJayne1708,,Jan 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was the second time I’ve done this rafting trip with these guys and it did not disappoint! We had an absolute blast and can’t fault the professionalism and energy of the crew - despite how many times a week they would do this same trip, they made it awesome for all of us. Our guide Benji was a legend and made the trip safe, fun and full of adventure, he was also very knowledgeable about the history of the area. Thank you again! Carly & Jesse :-)
Beautiful, fun, and not too scary
juliettarossa,,Jan 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Well run operation that clearly takes safety seriously. Our guide Benji was super. The bus ride there has amazing views but you're very high up on a dirt road and frankly that was scarier than the rapids.
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Operated by RealNZ