Our 8 Favourite Queenstown Rafting Tours

1.Family Adventures Rafting and Sightseeing Trip in Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 339 reviews · from $185 a head Our pick

Family Adventures takes you from Queenstown through Skippers Canyon by bus before a guided float and paddle on the Shotover River. Expect class I and II rapids, safety gear, snacks, and guides such as Georgia, Josh, Mark, Holly, or Luke, depending on the day. It suits children from age three and does not require water confidence.

“Family adventures rafting was great, shuttle drivers holly and Luke did a good job trying to make the trip as best as could be, the road through skippers canyon was brutal, holly was amazing, arrrived at base camp to get kitted up with thermalRead more”

See dates →Read our full review

2.Queenstown Shotover River White Water Rafting

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 309 reviews · from $154 a head

Join RealNZ for a half-day Shotover River rafting trip from Queenstown. Ride the scenic Skippers Canyon Road, practise with guides such as Morgan, Jess, or Benji, then tackle grade 3 to 5 rapids, Oxenbridge Tunnel, and Cascade Rapid. Gear, transport, digital photos, and hot showers are included. You must swim and weigh 40 to 120 kg.

“We had the experience of a lifetime as a family. Pushing ourselves and seeing a remote picturesque canyon in the middle of New Zealand in Skipper’s Canyon. The guides were amazing - providing confidence and sharing laughter along the journey. Benji our guide was awesome sharing rafting tales from the UK to Iceland and beyond. If you want a memory to cherish for a lifetime - book today!”

See dates →Read our full review

3.Shotover River Whitewater Rafting Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 234 reviews · from $175 a head

Take a half-day rafting trip from Queenstown through Skippers Canyon to the Shotover River. Expect a dramatic coach ride, full safety training, wetsuits, grade 3 to 5 rapids, the dark Oxenbridge Tunnel, and hot showers afterward. Guides such as Jess, Benji, and Libby have earned praise for clear instruction and good humor.

“We had the best experience white water rafting today! So. Much. Fun. Had amazing instructors and guides including, especially Iko who kept us all very safe and happy. Thank you for an adventure we will never forget.”

See dates →Read our full review

4.Queenstown Kawarau River Rafting and Jet Boat

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 158 reviews · from $197 a head

Spend about 4.5 hours combining a fast jet boat ride with a guided Kawarau River rafting trip. Expect 360-degree spins, grade 2-3 rapids, swimming, an optional rock jump, and the 400-metre Dog Leg rapid. Guides such as Gabe, Guy, Matt, Mark, and Danny have earned praise for keeping the day safe and fun.

“What an adventure! We were taken from Queenstown on a bus to the location to get geared up for rafting. We then hopped on the bus again and went back in to town to begin our jet boating. What a ride! We then met the rest of the crew part way down the river for our white water rafting experience. The staff were amazing and this added to the whole experience. Highly recommend!”

See dates →Read our full review

5.Kawarau River Rafting and Jet Boat Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 145 reviews · 4h 30m · from $190 a head

Join RealNZ for a 270-minute Queenstown adventure combining a 25-minute jet boat ride with 8 kilometers of Kawarau River rafting. Expect grade 2 to 3 rapids, possible grade 4 water, swimming, cliff jumping, and the 400-meter Dog Leg rapid. Guides such as Jess, Morgan, Nico, and Josh lead the action in English.

“We had such an amazing day!! The best way to start rafting is with the jet over boat!! Our guide Morgan was fantastic, super cheerful and kept us all confident during the rapids!! Highly recommend the activity!!”

See dates →Read our full review

6.Shotover River Rafting Trip from Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 115 reviews · from $190 a head

Join Challenge Rafting for a five-hour Shotover River adventure from Queenstown. You’ll ride through Skippers Canyon, learn river skills from professional guides, tackle six rapids, paddle through the 170-metre Oxenbridge Tunnel, and finish with Cascade Rapid. Wetsuit gear, transfers, hot showers, and a safety briefing are included.

“By far the best experience of our stay in NZ. Our guide was amazing, the scenery spectacular and the fun non stop. Highly recommend to anyone wanting the experience of lifetime”

See dates →Read our full review

7.Shotover River Whitewater Rafting Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 72 reviews · 4 hours · from $178 a head

Meet at Challenge Rafting’s Arthurs Point base for a four-hour Shotover River adventure. You’ll ride a bus into Skippers Canyon, learn rafting skills from guides such as Muzz, Raju, Jess, or Benj, then tackle six rapids, including the 170-meter Oxenbridge Tunnel and Cascade Rapid. Wetsuits, gear, transport, and a hot shower are included.

“Out of 10 Rafting:10 fantastic as you can see Mark was perfect Para gliding 9.5 Bike from Arrowtown:9 Shotover: 8 Kayaking: 8 Earnslaw:8 Luge: 8.5 Therefore every activity excellent. Rafting required skill, energy expended, safety , slowing and rock walk all gontributed to enjoyment. Mark was an ideal leader”

See dates →Read our full review

8.Queenstown Kawarau River Whitewater Rafting

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 57 reviews · from $148 a head Cheapest seat

Take a four-and-a-half-hour RealNZ trip from Queenstown to the Kawarau River. You’ll get wetsuit gear, safety training, coach transport, and 8 kilometers of rafting through grade 2 to 3 rapids, ending with the 400-meter Dog Leg. Guides such as Morgan, Matt, Mark, and Nico have earned praise for making first-timers feel safe and involved.

“Awesome experience for 1st time rafters ! Would like to thank Instructor Mark and RealNZ team for their excellent support/service ! Appreciate it !”

See dates →Read our full review