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Queenstown Jet Boat Ride: Lake Wakatipu, Kawarau and Shotover Rivers

60 minutes, 45km and three waterways at up to 95km/h in a big yellow boat.

A full hour on twin-engine jet boats, from Queenstown's waterfront across Lake Wakatipu and down the Kawarau and Shotover Rivers, with 360-degree spins and water less than 5cm deep in places.

📍 New Zealand ⏱ 1 Hour 🔥 Active

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Booked with Wanderlust, an Australian travel business based in Byron Bay (ABN 34 636 612 523). We handle your booking ourselves, before and after you travel.

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Overview

Plenty of Queenstown jet boat rides are over before you've stopped screaming. This one runs for 60 minutes and covers 45km across three waterways: Lake Wakatipu, then the Kawarau River and the braided shallows of the Shotover. The boats reach speeds of up to 95km/h and throw in 360-degree spins along the way. It is the world's first commercial jet boat ride, running for over 60 years and still locally owned.

You check in at the kiosk on the Main Town Pier, Marine Parade, 15 minutes before departure, pull on a life jacket and get the safety briefing. The boat blasts out across Queenstown Bay and Lake Wakatipu, then drops into the Kawarau River and up into the fast, shallow braids of the Shotover, where the driver puts the hull through water less than 5cm deep in places. Spins come without warning. Then it is back down the Kawarau and across the lake to the pier, soaked in spray and an hour older.

Departures leave every hour on the hour from 10am to 6pm, 365 days a year, weather permitting, straight from the middle of Queenstown Bay with no transfer needed. There are no height restrictions and no weight restriction: everyone must fit a life jacket, and jackets run to 4XL. Children aged 5 to 14 ride with an adult, infants aged 2 to 4 ride free, and under 2s cannot ride. Pregnant passengers cannot ride. Dress for the weather, because 95km/h adds a serious wind-chill, and in winter the boats have heated handrails.

Why you'll love it

  1. 1

    60 minutes and 45km across three waterways

  2. 2

    Up to 95km/h with 360-degree spins

  3. 3

    Shotover braids less than 5cm deep in places

  4. 4

    Departs the Main Town Pier every hour, 10am to 6pm

  5. 5

    365 days a year, weather permitting

  6. 6

    No height or weight restrictions

  7. 7

    Heated handrails in winter

Itinerary at a glance

1 15 minutes before · Check in at the Main Town Pier kiosk

Check in at the kiosk on the Main Town Pier, Marine Parade, 15 minutes before your departure for the life jacket and safety briefing. Stow phones and cameras; only securely mounted action cameras can be used while moving.

1 On the hour · Across Lake Wakatipu

The boat leaves Queenstown Bay and opens up across Lake Wakatipu at up to 95km/h, heading for the river mouths.

1 Kawarau River · Into the river channels

From the lake the driver drops into the channels of the Kawarau River, with 360-degree spins thrown in along the way.

1 Shotover River · The shallow braids

The Shotover is the fast, shallow part: braided gravel channels where the water is less than 5cm deep in places, and the jet drive is what keeps you moving.

1 Return · Back across the lake to the pier

Down the Kawarau and across Lake Wakatipu to the Main Town Pier, 60 minutes and 45km after you left.

What's included

✓ What's included

  • 60-minute jet boat ride across Lake Wakatipu, the Kawarau River and the Shotover River
  • Life jacket (sizes up to 4XL, plus infant sizes)
  • Safety briefing at the kiosk on the Main Town Pier
  • Expert driver

✕ Not included

  • ✕Spray jackets (not provided; an eco-poncho is sold at the kiosk)
  • ✕Ride photos (viewable and purchasable afterwards)
  • ✕Meals and drinks
  • ✕Transfers (the pier is in central Queenstown)

Common questions about this trip

  • Where do I check in and how early?
    Check in at the kiosk on the Main Town Pier, Marine Parade, in the centre of Queenstown Bay, 15 minutes before departure for your life jacket and safety briefing. Rides leave every hour on the hour from 10am to 6pm. There is also a departure point at the marina in Frankton, but the ride from there is shorter, so book the Main Town Pier for the full hour.

  • What should I wear?
    Dress for the weather on the day and then add a layer: 95km/h on the water creates serious wind-chill. Sunglasses or goggles, sunscreen and a hat help, and gloves in winter. Spray is part of the ride, and spray jackets are not provided; an eco-poncho is sold at the kiosk. Centre seats get less spray, but seating is not guaranteed.

  • Are there age, height or weight limits?
    There is no height restriction and no weight restriction, but everyone has to fit one of the life jackets, which go up to 4XL. Children aged 5 to 14 must be accompanied by an adult, infants aged 2 to 4 ride free with one adult per infant and must fit an infant life jacket, and children under 2 cannot ride. Pregnant passengers cannot ride.

  • What happens in bad weather?
    The boats run 365 days a year, weather permitting, and the operator can cancel or change a trip for weather or unforeseen circumstances at any stage. If they do, you are offered a rebooking or a full refund. In winter the boats have heated handrails, so cold alone does not stop them.

  • Can I bring my phone or camera?
    Yes, but it must be securely stowed while the boat is moving. Hands-free cameras such as securely mounted action cameras are allowed; selfie sticks are not. The crew photograph the ride and you can find and buy your photos afterwards.

  • Will I get wet?
    Yes, some. The spray and the spins are the point. The centre seats cop less of it, but seats are not guaranteed, so bring a change of top if you have plans straight after.

  • What's the cancellation policy?
    Cancellation terms for this trip are set by the operator and confirmed on your booking voucher. Refunds mirror the operator's policy, if they can refund, so can we. Wanderlust handles the refund for you, refunds mirror the operator's terms 1:1 (including if the operator cancels) and we chase it on your behalf. Message us for the exact day-by-day terms before you book.

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What travellers say

Reviews from real travellers

Public reviews of the operator who runs this tour on the ground.

⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
via Tripadvisor
"An absolutely thrilling experience! The jet boat ride on the Kawarau and Shotover Rivers was full of excitement, stunning scenery, and plenty of adrenaline. The driver was skilled and made the ride even more fun."
M

Marth S

Tripadvisor review

⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
via Tripadvisor
"Just amazing ride, it was fast, exciting and full of thrilling 360 degree spins, with stunning views of Lake Wakatipu, the Kawarau and Shotover Rivers. Driver made the whole experience feel safe while still being a lot of fun."
P

Paige P

Tripadvisor review

⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
via Tripadvisor
"Really fun Well organised. Very safety conscious. Very helpful staff. Quick trip up to the intersecting river doing many spins up and back. People laughing in delight"
a

annettemahoney

Tripadvisor review

Traveller reviews, source shown on each · shown as excerpts.

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