Shotover and Kawarau white water trips from the shop at 35 Shotover Street, now run by RealNZ. Grade 3-5 on the Shotover, easier on the Kawarau.
Queenstown Rafting started in 1974 as New Zealand's first commercial rafting company and still runs from the shop at 35 Shotover Street. It now trades as part of RealNZ, after merging into Go Orange and then being folded into the RealNZ brand in 2021.
Two rivers, and the choice between them is the decision worth making.
The Shotover is the harder one — graded 3 to 5 depending on flow, reached by the Skippers Canyon road, and finishing with a run through the Oxenbridge Tunnel. From $299.
The Kawarau is graded 3 to 4 and suits a first trip better. It carries a lot of water and there is enough in it to keep anyone honest. From $249. There is also a Jet2Raft option that pairs the raft trip with a jet boat run on the same river, from $329.
Wetsuits, boots and jackets are provided, and there are hot showers back at base. Book ahead over summer, and expect departures to move or be cancelled when the rivers come up.
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