Australia
Six rapids, a 170 metre tunnel and the grade 4 to 5 Mother, launched from Skippers Canyon.
Raft six rapids on the Shotover River, including the grade 4 to 5 Mother, a 170 metre tunnel and the Cascade Rapid, from a remote launch site in Skippers Canyon. Wetsuit, gear and hot showers included.
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From
$239 AUD
per person
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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The Shotover is Queenstown's most famous whitewater river, and this trip takes on the serious end of it. You start from a remote launch site in Skippers Canyon, carved out by gold miners during the big Queenstown gold rush, and work through six rapids with calmer stretches between for views and a swim.
The centrepiece is the long, narrow grade 4 to 5 Mother, made up of rapids including Aftershock, Squeeze and Pinball. Then you raft through the darkness of the 170 metre Oxenbridge Tunnel and shoot the Cascade Rapid to finish. The trip is rated grades 3 to 5, with about 2.5 hours on the water and 4.5 to 5 hours in total, including the 45 minute drive through Skippers Canyon.
The minimum age is 13, with a minimum weight of 40kg and a maximum of 120kg, and you need to be able to swim confidently. Pregnancy and heart conditions rule you out. Bring swimwear, a towel and warm clothes. Cameras are not allowed. The season runs October to mid December.
Grades 3 to 5 rapids
Grade 4 to 5 Mother with Aftershock, Squeeze and Pinball
Raft through the 170 metre Oxenbridge Tunnel
Remote launch site in Skippers Canyon
Hot showers at the base
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Public reviews of the operator who runs this tour on the ground.
"The guides were first-rate: calm, highly professional, and very good at reading the group. Clear instructions, good humour, and exactly the right balance between safety and fun."
ANDY HOARE
Tripadvisor review
"This was the highlight of our trip - the views on the river were so great. It was fun for everyone in our family."
humphrybbear
Tripadvisor review
"He kept everyone calm. Taught us all we needed early and then hit some exhilarating rapids. A highlight of our trip."
Dpicks
Tripadvisor review
Traveller reviews, source shown on each · shown as excerpts.
New Zealand
9 days · 8 nights
4.9 (575 · Trustpilot)
Auckland to Wellington
6 meals included
$1999 AUD
≈ $222/day
New Zealand
9 days · 8 nights
4.9 (575 · Trustpilot)
Christchurch to Queenstown
7 meals included
$1999 AUD
≈ $222/day
New Zealand
17 days · 16 nights
4.9 (575 · Trustpilot)
Auckland to Queenstown
13 meals included
$4399 AUD
≈ $259/day
From
$239
