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Experience

Jet Boat & Wilderness Walk

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Jet Boat & Wilderness Walk

 

Come with us on the most exciting half day Jet Boating adventure in New Zealand beneath the spectacular scenery of Glaciers & Lord of the Rings film locations, into Mount Aspiring National Park, part of Te Wahipounamu World Heritage area.

Location: The Matukituki River. Beyond stunning, the Matukituki is the most spectacular jet boating river in New Zealand.

Flowing from Glaciers, the pristine waters of the Matukituki River are perfect to experience river jet boating on the longest and most adventurous jet boat tour in New Zealand. Travel at speed over shallow braids, drift into turns and yes… experience thrilling spins, stopping in deep pools to breathe in the magic of the landscape & hear stories of our land from your local guides

And there is MORE…

Deep in the mountains & off the beaten track, enjoy a 50-minute remote walk through moss covered forest, waterfalls and glacier fed streams. Walk in awe beneath Avalanche Glacier when conditions permit or into McGills Creek to explore one of the most beautiful and serene forest walks. Hear the stories of this unique ice carved landscape and see photo opportunities not to miss. The only jet boat company to see Mount Aspiring and Glaciers- make Wanaka River Journeys number one on your list of things to do while visiting Wanaka and Queenstown.

Find out more

Schedule

Summer
October - May / 10.00am & 1.00pm
Allow 4 hours

Winter
June - September / 11.00am
Allow 4 hours             

 

Experience

Packraft Wanaka

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Packraft Wanaka

 

For the experience of a lifetime join us on New Zealand’s only Jet Boat, Walk & Packraft adventure; deep into the mountains of middle earth.

Jet boat the spectacular Matukituki River beneath glaciers and Mount Aspiring. Speed through shallow braids, drift into turns and hold on for cool spins, traveling to a place special and serene, surrounded by mountains, glaciers, waterfalls and forests.

Walk with your pack raft & guide through the forest to our remote “beach” beneath a Glacier. This beautiful short hike to a calm and peaceful pool is a taste of the spectacular river adventure to come; here you will inflate and learn to paddle your rafts, have fun in the river flow & rock the photos before lunch.

Packraft this pristine glacial water-way, ride the wave trains, and paddle into calm eddies to surround yourself in nature in a valley so breathtaking you wont want to leave. These small, lightweight and stable inflatable craft are perfect for those who want a real wilderness river experience in a safe and guided environment. The perfect mix of fun, excitement and adventure in the most beautiful landscape there is.

Location: Matukituki River, Mount Aspiring National Park

Schedule

Summer
October - April / 09.30am
Allow Full day

Our groups are small so make sure you book in advance

We use Alpacka Rafts which are lots of fun, extremely stable and easy to paddle however you MUST be able to swim. Check out our video for a taste of this COOL NEW adventure:

VIDEO

Find out more 

Experience

Glacier Jet (Heli combo)

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Glacier Jet (Heli combo)

 

Join us on the most unique of all jet boating experiences; a Glacier helicopter flight from the Jet Boat on the Matukituki River.

This is an incredible opportunity to fly by helicopter direct from the jet boat located deep in the mountains, on a thrilling up-close look at the glaciers. On this scenic helicopter flight see hanging valleys where glaciers once lay and waterfalls that cascade from under giants of ice into the streams and rivers that feed into the Matukituki River. When conditions permit land on the spectacular Isobel Glacier and disembark the helicopter for photos before flying back to join the guided wilderness walk and return leg of the Jet Boat Journey. Flight time with Aspiring Helicopters approx. 25 minutes includes a Glacier or snow landing.

This is the most exciting and unique jet boat + wilderness walk + glacier helicopter flight adventure activity in New Zealand. 

Find out more

Schedule

Summer
October - May / 10.00am & 1.00pm
Allow 4 hours

Winter
June - September / 11.00am
Allow 4 hours             

Experience

Glacier River Safari (4WD combo)

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Glacier River Safari (4WD combo)

 

Want to explore more? Join our full day Jet boat & Wilderness Walk followed by a 4WD Farm Safari, climbing to spectacular views above Lake Wanaka & the Matukituki Valley. 

 This is a great opportunity to spend more time exploring the spectacular glacial formed Matukituki Valley. Join the 10am Jet Boat & Wilderness Walk, on arriving back at West Wanaka Bridge enjoy a picnic lunch on the river bank before meeting your local guides from Ridgeline Adventures for a Highlights Safari; a 4WD Landrover adventure travelling the private back roads of West Wanaka Station, a 30000-acre deer farm steeped in history and bordering the majestic snow-capped peaks and glaciers of Mt Aspiring National Park.  See sheep, Alpacas and deer on this working high country farm, climb above Lake Wanaka to make a well-earned stop for refreshments at the exclusive “alpine café” returning to Wanaka approx. 4.00pm 

 Find out more

Schedule

Summer
October - May / 10.00am & 1.00pm
Allow a full day

Winter
June - September / 11.00am
Allow a full day             

 

 

Jet Boat & Wilderness Wal...

 

Come with us on the most exciting half day Jet Boating adventure in New Zealand beneath the spectacular scenery of Glaciers & Lord of the Rings film locations, into Mount Aspiring National Park, part of Te Wahipounamu World Heritage area.

Location: The Matukituki River. Beyond stunning, the Matukituki is the most spectacular jet boating river in New Zealand.

Flowing from Glaciers, the pristine waters of the Matukituki River are perfect to experience river jet boating on the longest and most adventurous jet boat tour in New Zealand. Travel at speed over shallow braids, drift into turns and yes… experience thrilling spins, stopping in deep pools to breathe in the magic of the landscape & hear stories of our land from your local guides

And there is MORE…

Deep in the mountains & off the beaten track, enjoy a 50-minute remote walk through moss covered forest, waterfalls and glacier fed streams. Walk in awe beneath Avalanche Glacier when conditions permit or into McGills Creek to explore one of the most beautiful and serene forest walks. Hear the stories of this unique ice carved landscape and see photo opportunities not to miss. The only jet boat company to see Mount Aspiring and Glaciers- make Wanaka River Journeys number one on your list of things to do while visiting Wanaka and Queenstown.

Find out more

Schedule

Summer
October - May / 10.00am & 1.00pm
Allow 4 hours

Winter
June - September / 11.00am
Allow 4 hours             

 

Packraft Wanaka

 

For the experience of a lifetime join us on New Zealand’s only Jet Boat, Walk & Packraft adventure; deep into the mountains of middle earth.

Jet boat the spectacular Matukituki River beneath glaciers and Mount Aspiring. Speed through shallow braids, drift into turns and hold on for cool spins, traveling to a place special and serene, surrounded by mountains, glaciers, waterfalls and forests.

Walk with your pack raft & guide through the forest to our remote “beach” beneath a Glacier. This beautiful short hike to a calm and peaceful pool is a taste of the spectacular river adventure to come; here you will inflate and learn to paddle your rafts, have fun in the river flow & rock the photos before lunch.

Packraft this pristine glacial water-way, ride the wave trains, and paddle into calm eddies to surround yourself in nature in a valley so breathtaking you wont want to leave. These small, lightweight and stable inflatable craft are perfect for those who want a real wilderness river experience in a safe and guided environment. The perfect mix of fun, excitement and adventure in the most beautiful landscape there is.

Location: Matukituki River, Mount Aspiring National Park

Schedule

Summer
October - April / 09.30am
Allow Full day

Our groups are small so make sure you book in advance

We use Alpacka Rafts which are lots of fun, extremely stable and easy to paddle however you MUST be able to swim. Check out our video for a taste of this COOL NEW adventure:

VIDEO

Find out more 

Glacier Jet (Heli combo)

 

Join us on the most unique of all jet boating experiences; a Glacier helicopter flight from the Jet Boat on the Matukituki River.

This is an incredible opportunity to fly by helicopter direct from the jet boat located deep in the mountains, on a thrilling up-close look at the glaciers. On this scenic helicopter flight see hanging valleys where glaciers once lay and waterfalls that cascade from under giants of ice into the streams and rivers that feed into the Matukituki River. When conditions permit land on the spectacular Isobel Glacier and disembark the helicopter for photos before flying back to join the guided wilderness walk and return leg of the Jet Boat Journey. Flight time with Aspiring Helicopters approx. 25 minutes includes a Glacier or snow landing.

This is the most exciting and unique jet boat + wilderness walk + glacier helicopter flight adventure activity in New Zealand. 

Find out more

Schedule

Summer
October - May / 10.00am & 1.00pm
Allow 4 hours

Winter
June - September / 11.00am
Allow 4 hours             

Glacier River Safari (4WD...

 

Want to explore more? Join our full day Jet boat & Wilderness Walk followed by a 4WD Farm Safari, climbing to spectacular views above Lake Wanaka & the Matukituki Valley. 

 This is a great opportunity to spend more time exploring the spectacular glacial formed Matukituki Valley. Join the 10am Jet Boat & Wilderness Walk, on arriving back at West Wanaka Bridge enjoy a picnic lunch on the river bank before meeting your local guides from Ridgeline Adventures for a Highlights Safari; a 4WD Landrover adventure travelling the private back roads of West Wanaka Station, a 30000-acre deer farm steeped in history and bordering the majestic snow-capped peaks and glaciers of Mt Aspiring National Park.  See sheep, Alpacas and deer on this working high country farm, climb above Lake Wanaka to make a well-earned stop for refreshments at the exclusive “alpine café” returning to Wanaka approx. 4.00pm 

 Find out more

Schedule

Summer
October - May / 10.00am & 1.00pm
Allow a full day

Winter
June - September / 11.00am
Allow a full day             

 

 

Reviews

Wanaka Must Do

We booked this ride on the spur of the moment and it turned out to be the absolute right thing to do. The boarding and ride were comfortable and the spins were ...

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roborjohn Portland, Oregon

1 week ago

“Wanaka's only Pack Rafting Experience!”

I've been out jet boating with River Journeys before (highly recommended), but for the ultimate adventure activity pack-rafting has it all!
Jet boat up the Mat...

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Charley R

1 week ago

Very cool experience!”

This tour combines jet boat, bush walk, sceneries of glacier, forest, rivers, all are among the do-not-miss for a trip to New Zealand! The jet boat up the Matuk...

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EmmesW Beijing, China

1 week ago

Gobsmackingly gorgeous

Went on the afternoon jet boat and forest walk into Mt Aspiring National Park. Just blown away by the sheer beauty of the place. Our guide Ben was really inform...

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Janice M Sunshine Coast, Australia

1 week ago

Best Jet Boating in NZ

If you're after a jet-boat experience in NZ, Wanaka River Journeys jet-boat and wilderness walk should be your choice. Words such as "spectacular" and "amazing"...

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Medon L Greater Melbourne, Australia

1 week ago

An absolute must!

This trip was one of the highlights of my stay in Wanaka. Our guide Ben was great and stopped at various points on the journey to tell us all about the Matukitu...

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MollieE94, Bristol, United Kingdom

1 week ago

Peaceful, Thrilling, and Beautiful

The Matukituki Valley is beyond stunning. I feel so lucky to have been able to experience the beauty from the jet boat. Our driver, Ben, provided many laughs an...

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CHEYNON Dunedin, New Zealand

1 week ago

Marvelous Matukituki

We took this trip on the spur of the moment and how fabulous it was. From the pick up to the boat trip and return, the organisation was most friendly and very e...

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Malcolm B Sydney, Australia

1 week ago