Queenstown: Shotover River Whitewater Rafting Trip

About This Experience

This is the same river as the Shotover Jet, experienced from inside it. Challenge Rafting drives you up into Skippers Canyon, fits you with a wetsuit, and puts you down the Shotover through six grade 4-5 rapids: Aftershock, Squeeze, Toilet, Pinball and, at the end, Cascade. Between them the canyon opens out and the water goes calm enough to swim.

The signature stretch is the Oxenbridge Tunnel, 170 metres of darkness driven through solid rock by gold miners trying to divert the river. You raft through it. Nothing else on this site puts you in that part of the Shotover, and it is a long way from the 25 minutes of spins the jet boat sells.

Four hours covers the transport to the river, the gear, the safety briefing, the rafting itself and a hot shower at the end. Professional photography is included in the price, which is unusual here; most operators in this catalogue sell photos separately. Food, drinks and hotel pickup are not included.

The meeting point is the raft base at 1 Arthurs Point Road, about ten minutes from the centre of Queenstown and a few doors from the Shotover Jet base at number 3. Self-driving is possible if you contact the operator's reservations team first. The trip is listed as unsuitable for people with back problems.

Highlights

• Feel the adrenaline rush of navigating 6 intense rapids on the Shotover River
• Raft through harrowing darkness for a thrilling 170m in the Oxenbridge Tunnel
• Travel through pristine and rugged nature in the hard-to-access Skippers Canyon
• Navigate the challenging Shotover River whitewater rapids with a guide's help
• Stay safe with the provided wetsuits, rafting equipment, and a safety briefing

What's Included

• ✓ Wetsuit
• ✓ Rafting equipment
• ✓ Whitewater rafting trip
• ✓ Professional photography services
• ✓ Safety briefing
• ✓ Transportation to the river
• ✓ Hot shower

Not Included

• Food and drinks
• Hotel pickup and drop-off

What to Bring

• Swimwear
• Towel
• Comfortable clothes

Good to Know & Caveats

• You will get wet during this activity
• This activity takes place rain or shine
• All participants must sign a waiver form
• Rafters must be water-confident, able to swim in fast-moving water, and agree to carefully follow guides' instructions
• This activity is not suitable for those under 13 years of age, under 88 pounds (40kg), or over 264 pounds (120kg), nor for those who have a heart condition or are taking heart medication, nor for pregnant women
• Rafters under 17 years must be accompanied by a guardian, and rafters under 18 years must have a waiver form signed by a guardian
• Participation in rafting activities involves a degree of risk, and the rafting operator cannot absolutely guarantee participants' safety
• The local partner reserves the right to refuse participation and cancel the trip due to minimum numbers not being met, road/weather/river conditions, we will offer guests the option to reschedule to another available departure or a full refund will be issued

Meeting Point

Meet at the Raft Base located at 1 Arthurs Point Road, Arthurs Point (approx. 10 minute drive from centre of Queenstown). Please contact Challenge Rafting reservations if you would prefer to self drive to the Raft Base.