Shotover River White Water Rafting

A journey through history and heights

If roads had a thrill rating, Skippers Canyon would be a solid grade 5. It’s a road so steep and narrow that rental car companies won’t even insure you to drive it. Luckily, you’ll be in good hands with a pro behind the wheel, giving you time to soak in the jaw-dropping views of sheer rock walls and the winding Shotover River far below. Arriving at the rafting base, you’ll suit up in full rafting gear and get a safety briefing from your expert guide – who, by the way, knows this river like the back of their paddle. Then, it’s time to hit the water!

This river doesn’t play nice

Gliding onto the river at Deep Creek, the water starts out calm, but don’t get too comfortable. Before you know it, you’ll be navigating churning, grade 3-5 rapids, dodging rugged schist boulders, and gripping your paddle as waves crash over the raft. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, you’ll disappear into the darkness of the 170-meter-long Oxenbridge Tunnel, a relic from the gold rush days. One last plunge through the roaring Cascade Rapid, and you’ve conquered the Shotover! Back at base, warm up with a hot shower before heading back to Queenstown. Relive your experience with the digital photos sent directly to your email to prove you braved one of New Zealand’s most legendary rivers.

Shotover River White Water Rafting

Discover the thrilling adventure of Shotover River white water rafting, a guided tour that includes expert guidance through intense grade 3-5 rapids along the 22 km-long Skippers Canyon. This half-day excursion starts with a scenic coach ride through narrow canyon passes, where sheer cliffs drop to the winding Shotover River far below. Guests then paddle through surging rapids surrounded by rugged schist cliffs and panoramic views of the Remarkables mountain range. The tour includes travel through the 170m-long Oxenbridge Tunnel, carved during the gold rush era in the late 1860s, before reaching Cascade Rapid where rafters experience some of the most intense whitewater action. This adrenaline-fueled adventure is perfect for thrill-seekers and nature lovers alike, providing a unique way to explore Queenstown's iconic landmarks while enjoying guided sightseeing through the narrow canyons and rushing rapids. The tour covers approximately 20 kilometers of river and canyon terrain, with options available in multiple audio languages including English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Spanish, and Russian. Accessibility is generally not a concern for this physically demanding activity, but participants must be at least 14 years old and able to swim.

Skippers Canyon

Your tour stops at Skippers Canyon where guests can marvel at the narrow, steep-walled gorge carved by the Shotover River over millions of years. This stunning natural feature is approximately 22 kilometers long with cliffs rising up to 600 meters high in places. During the gold rush era, miners dug tunnels and built precarious bridges here, earning Skippers Canyon its reputation as one of the most dangerous mining locations in New Zealand history. Today, visitors can ride through this historic canyon on a coach while taking in panoramic views of the Shotover River far below. The tour spends about 30 minutes traveling through Skippers Canyon before reaching the starting point for rafting adventures. What sets Skippers Canyon apart from other scenic drives is its rich mining heritage and breathtaking natural beauty, making it an essential stop for anyone visiting Queenstown.

Oxenbridge Tunnel

At Oxenbridge Tunnel, guests can explore this historic 170-meter-long tunnel carved through solid rock during the gold rush era in the late 1860s. The tunnel was originally built to connect Skippers Canyon with nearby mining towns and has since become a key part of the Shotover River rafting experience. Visitors spend about 5 minutes passing through this dark, narrow passage before bursting out into the bright sunlight and churning whitewater of Cascade Rapid. What makes Oxenbridge Tunnel unique is its engineering feat and historical significance in New Zealand's mining history. The tunnel serves as a reminder of the ingenuity and perseverance of early miners who risked their lives to extract gold from this rugged terrain.

Cascade Rapid

Guests can experience the exhilarating rush of Cascade Rapid, one of the most challenging rapids on the Shotover River. This rapid is known for its powerful surging waves and intense white water action, making it a highlight of any rafting adventure in Queenstown. Rafters spend about 15 minutes navigating through this tumultuous stretch of river while surrounded by rugged schist cliffs and panoramic views of the Remarkables mountain range. What sets Cascade Rapid apart from other rapids is its sheer intensity and the stunning natural scenery that frames it, providing a thrilling yet breathtaking experience for all participants.

Tour Highlights

• Raft intense grade 3-5 rapids on Shotover River
• Travel through 22 km-long Skippers Canyon by coach
• Ride through historic 170m Oxenbridge Tunnel
• Experience panoramic views of Remarkables mountain range
• Explore rich mining heritage along the river banks
• Paddle through surging waves at Cascade Rapid
• Enjoy guided sightseeing in multiple languages
• Access to thrilling rapids with expert guides included

Perfect for adrenaline junkies, nature enthusiasts, and history buffs, this half-day white water rafting tour provides a unique way to experience Queenstown's natural beauty and rich mining heritage. Guests will have the opportunity to raft through intense grade 3-5 rapids on Shotover River, explore the historic Skippers Canyon by coach, and ride through the legendary Oxenbridge Tunnel before reaching Cascade Rapid for an unforgettable rush of adrenaline. The tour allows you to immerse yourself in Queenstown's iconic landmarks while enjoying guided sightseeing through narrow canyons and rushing rapids.