My absolute favorite activity in Queenstown is Jet Boating! I have been jet boating with both Dart River and Thunder Jet. Both trips were absolutely amazing! I highly recommend checking out one of these excursions while you’re in Queenstown.
Jet Boating is a total thrill. Most jet boating excursions take you on a ride through the shallow waters outside of Queenstown. The boats fly through the shallow waters and zoom towards trees, rocks, and anything else that comes in the way! You literally feel like you are going to crash into the trees and then the driver swings the boat just in time. It is an absolute blast!
Dart River Wilderness Jet
I took a tour with Dart River on my first trip to Queenstown with my family. The tour is absolutely amazing! It combines a Jet Boat ride with a short hike through the Mt. Aspiring National Park making a perfect day trip.
Location
The Dart River excursion is based in Glenorchy which is about 45 minutes outside of Queenstown. The drive to Glenorchy is absolutely stunning! From Glenorchy, you will take a bus to the Dart River and hiking area. The bus will make a few stops along the way for pictures. The jet boat ride is absolutely stunning as it takes you through the Dart River which is a glacier-fed river.
Guide
Our guides throughout our excursion were awesome! We learned so much throughout the tour, apparently the shot above is used in a number of films, commercials, etc. This area has been used to look like places including the Swiss Alps and Colorado, as well as many other places! We also saw a few locations that were used in Middle Earth, Narnia, and Wolverine. During our walk, our guide taught us a few of the great Maori Legends! Our jet boat driver was also great and left us wanting a longer time on the water!
Cost
The prices for Dart River Wilderness Jet excursions range depending on the season. The prices range from $239 – $259 NZD for adults. The tour is about 100 NZD cheaper for kids.
What to Expect?
The tour is about 6 hours long from start to finish in Queenstown. Dart River offers a complimentary shuttle from the tour information center in Queenstown as well as a number of other locations. When you arrive in Glenorchy, you will take a bus and head toward the Dart River and walking area! The bus will make a few stops along the way in order for you to take some gorgeous shots. The tour will divide into two separate groups, one of the groups will start with the hike while the other group goes jet boating. The hike is moderately easy and lasts about 30 minutes. From there, you will head to the Dart River for an hour long jet boat ride! You will be given a poncho as well as a life jacket for the boat ride. After the jet boat, you will hop back on the bus and head back to Glenorchy before heading back to Queenstown.
Thunder Jet
The second time I visited Queenstown my boyfriend, Max, and I went on a jet boat ride with Thunder Jet. After having been jet boating before, I knew Max would absolutely love it so we had to go! Thunder Jet was awesome and we had an absolute blast!
Location
Thunder Jet is such an easy and quick excursion from Downtown, Queenstown since the boat leaves from the city center. From there, the jet boat heads away from Queenstown, toward the Kawarau River. The river is so narrow and shallow it’s so crazy the boats are able to drive in such shallow water!
Guide
Our guide, Stan was literally the best. He was super laid back and had us cracking up throughout the tour! He played great music, perfect for boating. I could have spent the entire day jet boating. It was SO exhilarating! He was an excellent driver and had us on the edge of our seat as we sped down the river!
Cost
I found Thunder Jet to be super reasonably priced! The tour we went on was at 10 am which is their “happy hour” special! Thunder Jet runs their “happy hour” special daily for 95 NZD (70 USD during our trip). The regular price is 125 NZD for adults and 65 NZD for kids.
What to Expect?
An hour long jet boat adventure through the Kawarau and Shotover Rivers!
I definitely recommend going on a jet boat tour (or two) while you are in Queenstown! It is total a thrill and such a fun adventure. I guarantee you will love it! If you are looking for the Best Activities in Queenstown, click here!
Safe Travels,
Sarah :)
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