Tramp into the Rees Valley, unpack a raft from your backpack and float back down. Small groups, lunch included, day trips and longer expeditions.
Packrafting is a walk and a paddle in the same day. The drive north up Lake Wakatipu takes you past Glenorchy and into the Rees Valley, where you leave the road and tramp in — far enough that you have the place to yourselves.
Lunch is included. After it you pull the raft out of your pack. These boats fold down to about the size of a sleeping bag and weigh barely more than a bottle of water; your guide shows you how to inflate one, which takes less time than you would expect, and then you are on the water.
The afternoon is a slow float down the river with the valley walls on either side, plenty of time to stop and take photos, and small rapids to play in if you want them. The day trip is called License to Chill, and the name is fair.
Groups are kept small. Packrafting Queenstown holds a Qualmark Gold award and is AdventureMark safety audited, and beyond the day trip they run whitewater skills courses, beginner overnighters and multi-day expeditions, including one on the Landsborough.
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