Shotover River Whitewater Rafting - Grade 3-5
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April 2026
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Highlighted reviews
Awesome white water rafting experience. Highly recommend Experience Oz.
We had an amazing white-water rafting tour! Booking through Experience OZ was super easy, and the pricing was affordable, which made the whole experience even better. The tour itself was packed with adrenaline and unforgettable moments. The whole day was fun, exciting, and professionally run. We enjoyed every minute of it and would highly the tour, and booking through Experience OZ to anyone looking for an adventurous and memorable experience.
Seriously this trip IS THE BEST!!!!
Seriously this trip IS THE BEST!!!!! The price is so cheap for what you do!! It is the best value for money and the most amazing thing you will do. The helicopter flight was UNREAL!!! We flew so close to the mountains and right down in-between the canyons. We landed on the river banks of the Shotover river and started the white water rafting. I had never done either of these things, so it was absolutely superb! I cannot stop raving about how awesome it is! If you go to Queenstown, do not miss this!!!
What you can expect
Join us on the iconic Shotover River for a whitewater rapid adventure. Start with an unforgettable coach trip through Skippers Canyon, famous for its exciting cliff edges, enough to get your adrenaline pumping before we hit the water. Experience grade 3–5 whitewater rapids in one of the most scenic environments in the world. The rapids can change on a daily basis but rest assured our guides are expertly trained and have a keen sense of adventure. They will guide you through canyons and help you navigate rapids. To finish, you'll ride through the famous 170m Oxenbridge tunnel.
Location
What you need to know
- RealNZ is going cashless on all food and beverage purchases in experience.
- This means that all food and beverage purchases aboard our vessels in Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound, Queenstown, and Te Anau, as well as at Walter Peak and the Manapouri Café, will no longer accept cash. A cashless system will provide a smoother, more efficient experience for both our guests and staff.
- Our payment terminals accept all major credit cards and debit cards, including AMEX, WeChat Pay, AliPay and Union Pay, as well as contactless payment options like Apple Pay and Google Pay.
- Note: Fee of 1.5% applies to food and beverage purchases by credit card only. The fee does not apply to purchases in Retail Store at Walter Peak, or merchandise purchased from our Visitor Centres.
- Shuttle bus from Queenstown to the Rafting Base
- Full wetsuit, rafting clothing and all safety equipment
- Extensive safety briefing
- Shuttle bus to Deep Creek via Skippers Canyon Road
- Rafting on the Shotover River
- Hot showers at Rafting Base
- Return shuttle to downtown Queenstown
- Hotel Transfers to departure location are not included, however if you make your way to the centre of Queenstown, pick-up and drop-off is included from the suppliers office to the Rafting Base
- Step across this great frontier and meet the challenge of rafting the Shotover River
- Experience the rugged beauty and unspoilt grandeur of the breathtaking scenery as you conquer this wild and untamed river
- Tackle adrenaline pumping rapid along with stretches of calm water to take in the views, go for a swim and soak up it’s gold mining history
- The long and narrow river is graded 3-5
- Raft through the darkness of the 170 metre Oxenbridge Tunnel and shoot the Cascade Rapid to complete the challenge
- Before returning to Queenstown, enjoy a hot shower at the Rafting Base
- Departure Times Daily
- 8am (Oct - 28 Apr)
- 1pm (Nov - 28 Apr)
- Please allow approximately for this experience 4.5 hours from pick-up to drop-off
- Please note that the check-in location has moved from our Camp Street Visitor Centre to the Beach Street Visitor Centre at 88 Beach Street.
- Guests are kindly requested to arrive 20 minutes before the start time.
- Alternatively, they can meet at the Raft Base at 1 Arthurs Point Road, located approximately a 10-minute drive from Queenstown.
- Do you need to wear anything special for the Shotover Rafting? - You will just need your swim wear and I would also suggest bringing a towel and warm clothes to get changed into after. Everything else will be provided for the Shotover Rafting excursion.
- Is the Shotover River rafting suitable for people who can swim but who are beginners and not 100% confident? - You do need to be confident in the water, this is because if you fall into the river you will need to be able to swim to safety.
- What is the difference between you and the other raft companies that have rafting on the Shotover River in Queenstown? - This is a unique experience because this is the only rafting that operators on the Shotover River.
- Change of dry clothes
- Swimming costume and towel
- Snacks or money for snacks
- Camera, videos and personal items are carried at owners risk
- We provide wetsuit booties so you can wear your normal shoes to get to the rafting base
- We recommend valuables are left at accommodation (i.e. passports/travellers cheques/jewellery etc.) The supplier takes no responsibility for travellers belongings
- The minimum age for rafting is 13 years, with a minimum weight of 40kg
- Rafting is not available to clients weighing over 120kg
- Rafting with a heart condition or while taking heart medication is not permitted
- Rafting while pregnant is not permitted
- Rafters under 16 years must have a guardian travel with them and have a child waiver signed by a guardian
- Rafters under 18 years require a child waiver form to be signed by a guardian
- Clients must be water confident and able to swim in fast moving water
- The Supplier reserves the right to refuse clients should they be considered unsuitable due to their ability to communicate in English, physical size, poor health, fitness or intoxication. Please contact the supplier if you are unsure of client suitability (contact information provided after booking)
- The river grade is 3-5 and the Shotover River varies in difficulty according to river levels. Please contact the supplier if you are unsure of traveller suitability (contact information provided after booking)
- We require a minimum of 8 people to run the trip, so please note your booking will be on stand-by until these minimum numbers are met. Should these minimum numbers not be met, you may be moved to the earlier or later departure time, moved to another date or alternatively refunded. Please note, this happens very rarely as this is a very popular experience
- The supplier reserves the right to cancel or amend any trips due to river, road or weather conditions, or insufficient numbers. In this case they will notify you on the day
- Clients must listen carefully to and follow guides’ instructions and adhere to all safety requirements
- Participation in rafting activities involves a degree of risk and the rafting operator cannot absolutely guarantee participants safety. All clients will be required to sign a disclaimer prior to departing
- Risk Disclosure
- Participation in rafting involves inherent risks and potential hazards; the supplier cannot absolutely guarantee participants safety and certain situations may result in serious harm or death. The risks and hazards include but are not limited to: rapidly changing and sometimes extreme water conditions, cold water, limited rafting landing sites transport to and from the river, the river and its fluid nature, raft flips, fast moving and/or deep water, rocks, landslips and/or equipment failure. Detailed risk management and strict safety procedures are observed, however, there still remains an element of risk. The Supplier accepts its legal responsibilities but cannot be held responsible for personal injury or for loss, theft or damage of/to your equipment outside legal responsibilities. Participants will be required to sign a liability form to this effect before starting a tour. Changing conditions can mean that tours have to be modified. No two tours are the same. Clients on guided tours must listen carefully to and follow guides' instructions and adhere to safety requirements
- Travelers who have had Heart Surgery, Coronary Disease, Cardiac Arrest, or Heart-Related Medication excluding blood pressure medication, are not able to participate.
- There is a minimum weight of 40 kg and maximum weight of 120 kg.
- You are required to have competent swimming ability, be able to swim at least 25 meters unassisted and have moderate fitness.
- Guardian conditions apply for 18 years and younger.
- You cannot participate if you are pregnant.
- You must speak or understand English.
- Change your booking up to 24 hours before the start time of your experience
- Changes are not permitted within 24 hours of your experience
- Late arrivals or no shows may result in you forfeiting your experience
- Confirmation in the form of a tour voucher will be received at time of booking
- Upon completion of purchase, please print the voucher and present on day of the experience
- Mobile Vouchers are accepted! - Vouchers can also be presented on your mobile device for this attraction
- For your information, complete Tour Operator Information including contact details is included on your tour voucher
- Availability was accurate at the time of booking however, is subject to change due to circumstances out of our control
- We strongly suggest reconfirming your booking with the tour operator within 24 hours of making your booking and prior to making other travel arrangements
Recent reviews
Awesome white water rafting experience. Highly recommend Experience Oz.
We had an amazing white-water rafting tour! Booking through Experience OZ was super easy, and the pricing was affordable, which made the whole experience even better. The tour itself was packed with adrenaline and unforgettable moments. The whole day was fun, exciting, and professionally run. We enjoyed every minute of it and would highly the tour, and booking through Experience OZ to anyone looking for an adventurous and memorable experience.
Absolutely awesome experience, would recommend it to anyone! The instructors are absolutely excellent and definitely made it a memorable experience!
Absolutely awesome experience, would recommend it to anyone! The instructors are absolutely excellent and definitely made it a memorable experience!
Review for Shotover River Whitewater Rafting
The guides were hilarious and made it such fun.
This was the highlight of our holiday. OMG the trip up Skippers road alone was scary. The guides were hilarious and made it such fun. It wasn't such a huge rapid as been dry and sunny for days but still pretty butt clenching at times. Would definitely do this again next time we visit NZ
Review for Shotover River Whitewater Rafting
Need help?
- Email us at enquiry@experienceoz.com.au
- Help code: D2B-683C
- This experience is supplied by TSS Earnslaw Cruises and Walter Peak Farm Tours
