瓦纳卡喷射快艇与荒野徒步（Wanaka Jet Boat & Wilderness Walk）半日之旅，带您深入世界遗产阿斯派灵山国家公园（Mt Aspiring National Park）——穿行于群山与冰川之间，宛如走进《指环王》里的中土世界。我们航行的马图基图基河（Matukituki），是一条由冰川融水汇成的辫状河；而我们是这段河道上唯一获准运营的喷射快艇，持有新西兰自然保护部（DOC）颁发的独家特许经营权。
行程安排：从瓦纳卡 i-SITE 游客中心（Ardmore Street 99号）出发，乘坧20分钟观光接驳车一路赏景；随后开始约1小时的喷射快艇体验，途中安排停船拍照；接着在向导带领下轻松步行50分钟，穿过古老的原生山毛样森林，走到一处瀑布前（适合所有年龄，也可选择留在船边等候）；最后45分钟顺流而下返回。全程请预留约4小时。一路上，向导会与您分享这片山谷的毛利历史与故事——这些内容由我们与新西兰南岛毛利部落 Ngāi Tahu 共同商定。
全年运营。夏季（10月1日至4月30日）：每天两班，上午 9:45 与中午 12:45 出发。冬季（5月至9月）：每天仅一班，中午 12:45 出发，请务必提前预订。行程以英语进行。
成人 NZ$339，儿童（4至14岁）NZ$209。自2026年10月1日起：成人 NZ$359，儿童 NZ$229。最低参加年龄为4岁。
大多数天气条件下我们都照常出团——只要当天的行程依然能让您玩得尽兴。如果确需取消，我们会为您改期，或全额退款。
想探索更多？我们还提供 Packraft Wānaka 全天轻量充气艇（packrafting）之旅（NZ$429 起，10月10日至4月30日），以及直升机、四驱车组合行程。我们是一家自2005年经营至今的家族企业，已收获400多条五星好评。
点击“Book Now”即可在线预订，也可致电 +64 3 443 4416，或发送邮件至 [email protected]。
| 成人 | 儿童 | 出发时间 | 时长 |
|---|---|---|---|
| NZ$339 | NZ$209 | 9:45 和 12:45 | 约 4 小时 |
| 成人 | 儿童 | 出发时间 | 时长 |
|---|---|---|---|
| NZ$429 | NZ$329 | 8:15 | 全天 |
| 成人 | 儿童 | 出发时间 | 时长 |
|---|---|---|---|
| NZ$1049 | NZ$649 | 9:45 和 12:45 | 约 4 小时 |
| 成人 | 儿童 | 出发时间 | 时长 |
|---|---|---|---|
| NZ$711 | NZ$459 | 上午 | 全天 |
| 成人 | 儿童 | 出发时间 | 时长 |
|---|---|---|---|
| NZ$1411 | NZ$879 | 上午 | 全天（约 8.5 小时） |
出发地点：Wānaka i-SITE 游客中心（99 Ardmore Street），提供免费停车。
全年运营。冬季（5 月至 9 月）每天仅一班，通常于中午 12:45 出发。
儿童价适用于 4–14 岁（Packraft 背包艇为 10–14 岁）。参加 Packraft 需年满 10 岁并会游泳。
所有价格均以新西兰元（NZD）计价。价格自 2026 年 10 月 1 日起调整。
立即预订：点击「Book Now」按钮，或致电 +64 3 443 4416。
Experience the Ultimate Half-Day Jet Boating Adventure in New Zealand
Get ready to embark on the most exhilarating half-day adventure in Aotearoa! Journey with us into the heart of Mount Aspiring National Park – a UNESCO World Heritage site known as Te Wāhipounamu – where glacier-fed rivers meet cinematic landscapes straight out of The Lord of the Rings.
Half day — allow 4 hours · Adult from $NZ339 · Child (4–14) $NZ209 · Runs year-round. Summer (1 October – 30 April): two departures daily, 9.45am and 12.45pm. Winter (May – September): one 12.45pm departure daily — advance booking essential. From 1 October 2026 the adult fare is $NZ359 and the child fare $NZ229.
Location: The Matukituki River – New Zealand’s Most Spectacular Jet Boating River
Carved by glaciers and framed by soaring peaks, the Matukituki River offers more than just jaw-dropping views – it’s the perfect stage for high-speed jet boating thrills. Skim across crystal-clear shallows, power through braided streams, drift around corners, and brace yourself for those famous jet spins that just might leave you smiling and soaked.
Pause in deep, tranquil pools to soak in the alpine serenity while your local guide shares rich stories of the land and its people.
But That’s Just the Beginning…
Your adventure continues with an hour-long guided wilderness walk deep into the mountains, far from the crowds — taken at a leisurely pace and suitable for all ages, and one of the better things to do in Wānaka with kids. Wander through ancient, moss-covered forests, along glacier-fed streams, and into the stunning McGills Creek. Along the way, learn about the region’s natural history and cultural heritage, and capture once-in-a-lifetime photos of this awe-inspiring ice-carved landscape.
Why Choose Us?
We’re the only jet boat company that takes you to the foothills of Mount Aspiring and its surrounding glaciers, an experience truly unique to Wanaka River Journeys. We’re also the only commercial jet boat on the Matukituki. Half day, $339 per adult, ages 4 and up, and more than 400 five-star reviews from the people who’ve done it. If you’re visiting Wanaka or coming over from Queenstown for the day, this is a must-do adventure you won’t forget.
Know Before You Go:
This is an adventure activity suitable for most. We operate in most weather conditions — as long as it’s going to be enjoyable. The valley turns properly dramatic in the mist, and if we do have to cancel, you’ll be rebooked or refunded in full. Check out our fitness guidelines and all the essentials by clicking below:
Choose your date on our secure booking page — nothing is charged until you confirm. Morning departures are the first to fill in summer. Departures (winter): 12:45pm from outside the Wanaka i-SITE Departures (From 1 October): 9:45am & 12:45pm from outside the Wanaka i-SITE Schedule
Allow 4 hours
Packraft the Majestic Matukituki - A Full-Day Adventure Like No Other
Ready for something truly unforgettable? Come paddle one of New Zealand’s most breathtaking alpine rivers in our super fun, stable packrafts - perfect for beginners and adventurers alike!
Your journey starts with a scenic shuttle through the stunning Matukituki Valley, where towering mountains, hanging glaciers, and tumbling waterfalls surround you at every turn. Along the way, enjoy views of Avalanche Glacier and hear fascinating stories from your local guide about how this incredible landscape was shaped by ice and time.
After a short break and some refreshments, it's time to gear up. We’ll walk you through a full safety briefing and paddle lesson, then head to the river for the real fun to begin.
Let the Adventure Begin!
You’ll paddle through gentle wave trains, cruise into calm eddies, and drift along with the flow of the river. Feeling bold? Take a dip in the Matukituki’s famous turquoise swimming holes - if you're brave enough! By the end of the day, your guide will have you paddling like a pro.
It’s the perfect mix of fun, hands-on adventure, and incredible scenery - all topped off with a relaxed picnic lunch by the riverbank.
Good to Know:
Just a heads up:
Like any outdoor adventure, this experience comes with some risks - including the rare but real possibility of injury or even death. Our guides are highly trained, and your safety is our top priority, but it’s important you understand and accept these risks before joining us.
For more info about fitness requirements, safety, and what to bring, just click the ‘FIND OUT MORE’ button below.
Departures:
08:15 AM from outside of the i-SITE
3:30 PM return (time can vary up to 30 minutes with river conditions)
Looking for a Wānaka kayak or paddle trip? Packraft Wānaka is the guided alternative, with no experience needed, all gear supplied, and a local guide with you the whole way. We jet boat you deep into Mount Aspiring National Park, then paddle the Matukituki in stable two-person packrafts through gentle wave trains and glass-clear pools. It is the wildest way to get on the water near Wānaka, and beginners are welcome (ages 10+, must be able to swim).
Packrafting sits somewhere between kayaking and rafting. The boats are light, inflatable and stable, forgiving enough that most people are paddling confidently within an hour, but tough enough for real alpine water. That combination has opened up rivers that used to need a raft, a trailer and a lot of gear.
New Zealand has no shortage of rivers. Far fewer are both spectacular and gentle enough to learn on. The Matukituki is one of them, which is why we run here. It comes straight out of Mount Aspiring National Park past hanging glaciers and beech forest, and its wave trains are fun rather than frightening.
Do you need experience?
No. Every trip is fully guided and starts with a safety briefing and a paddle lesson before you go anywhere near moving water. You do need to be able to swim, and the minimum age is 10.
Guided or self supported?
Most packrafting in New Zealand is self supported, which means carrying your own boat into the backcountry and knowing how to read a river. If that is not you yet, a guided day is the way in. We supply the packraft, wetsuit, safety gear and lunch, and a guide who runs this river for a living.
When is the season?
October to April, when the river is at its best and the weather is settled enough to make a full day on the water genuinely enjoyable.
Where the trips run
We paddle the Matukituki River inside Mount Aspiring National Park, part of the Te Wāhipounamu UNESCO World Heritage Area, in the South Island. Trips leave from Wānaka, which is a couple of hours from Queenstown airport and worth the drive on its own.
Jet Boat, Glacier Helicopter & Wilderness Walk – One Epic Half-Day Adventure
Looking for something a bit wild, a bit breathtaking, and completely unforgettable? This is New Zealand’s ultimate alpine experience — a half-day adventure that takes you from river rapids to a glacier, and back again.
It all starts on the Matukituki River, deep in the heart of Mount Aspiring National Park. Surrounded by snow-capped mountains and glacier-fed streams, you’ll hop into one of our jet boats for an adrenaline-pumping ride. Skim over shallow braids, twist through turns, and hold on tight for those famous spins — all while soaking up the spectacular scenery (and maybe a little splash!).
Then things go next-level.
We’ll take you deep into the mountains where a helicopter is waiting riverside to whisk you into the high alpine. Your 25-minute scenic flight with Aspiring Helicopters takes you soaring above hanging valleys, waterfalls, and ancient ice fields toward the Isobel or Tyndall Glacier. If conditions allow, you’ll land on the snow or ice — step out, take it all in, and snap a photo you’ll never forget.
Back on the ground, your guide leads you on a peaceful wilderness walk through lush native forest. Then it’s one more thrilling run down the river before your day wraps up.
Good to know:
For more info about fitness, safety, and what to bring, click the ‘FIND OUT MORE’ button below
Departures
9:45am & 12:45pm from outside of the i-SITE
Allow 4 hours
The Glacier Jet is the only Wānaka helicopter experience that begins on a jet boat. After the run up the Matukituki, an Aspiring Helicopters machine is waiting riverside to lift you into the high alpine for a roughly 25-minute scenic flight and a landing on a glacier. It is the most direct way to pair a Wānaka jet boat trip with a helicopter glacier landing: river rapids and snow-capped peaks in one half-day, and back in town for lunch.
Jet Boat, Wilderness Walk & 4WD Safari – A Full Day of Pure Wanaka Adventure
Experience a full day of adventure in one of New Zealand’s most breathtaking landscapes. This unforgettable journey combines jet boating, a wilderness walk, and a 4WD high-country safari, all set beneath the soaring peaks and glaciers of Mount Aspiring National Park.
Your day begins at 10am with an exhilarating jet boat ride up the stunning Matukituki River — a glacial-fed alpine river known for its crystal-clear water and dramatic scenery. Skim across shallow braids and cruise into the heart of the Te Wāhipounamu World Heritage Area.
Next, step off the boat and into the wild for a guided wilderness walk through lush native forest. Your local guide will share stories of the landscape, ecology, and history along the way.
In the afternoon, your journey continues with Ridgeline Adventures as you climb aboard a 4WD Land Rover for their signature Highlights Safari. Travel through the private backroads of West Wanaka Station, a 30,000-acre working deer farm rich in history and framed by stunning alpine views. You’ll access panoramic lookouts high above Lake Wanaka and the Matukituki Valley — perfect for photos and stories of Wanaka’s rugged high country.
Why you’ll love it:
Good to know:
Departures:
9:45am from outside of the i-SITE
Allow 8.5 hours
The Ultimate Adventure of Jet Boating, Wilderness Walk, Glacier Helicopter Flight, and a 4WD High Country Station Safari all in the beautiful Matukituki Vally surrounded by glaciers, waterfalls, towering mountains, and turquoise pools.
Location: The Matukituki River, Isobell or Tyndall glacier landing, West Wanaka High Country Station.
Combine a thrilling jet boat ride on the Matukituki River, a 25-minute glacier helicopter flight and an off-road 4WD safari. After jet boating deep in the mountains, you’ll board the helicopter for a close-up view of hanging valleys, cascading waterfalls and magnificent glaciers. Capture stunning photos during a glacier landing before returning to the river below to continue your guided wilderness walk and return leg of the jet boat journey. Enjoy a river side lunch before you embark on a 4WD adventure through the stunning landscape, take part in conservation projects and listen to fascinating tales of farming life and local history. Suitable for all fitness levels.
Good to know:
Departures:
10.00am from outside of the i-SITE
Allow 8.5 hours
East Branch Expedition - advanced packrafting in Mount Aspiring National Park
Loved our Packraft Wānaka trip and found yourself wanting more? The East Branch Expedition is for experienced beginner and intermediate paddlers who want to step things up a bit. A bigger day, more whitewater, and a proper backcountry experience. It’s our guides’ favourite section for a reason
The day starts with a walk up the riverbed to a hidden put-in below the Kitchener confluence. It’s a decent walk but well worth it once you reach the river. From there it's continuous, low-volume Grade 2 whitewater with plenty of fun features along the way, plus the famous Rollercoaster - a long Grade 2+ rapid - as an optional challenge for those feeling confident.
There’s also one Grade 3 rapid on the run, which we always portage. It’s a short walk around but gives you a pretty good look at some serious whitewater before you jump back in!
This is a remote trip, so we keep the groups small. A maximum of six paddlers per guide, with Grade-3 qualified raft guides who know the East Branch well. We also have helicopter support from our partners at Aspiring Helicopters
You’ll be paddling self-bailing packrafts with all the safety gear you need, surrounded by some seriously wild country that most people never get to see
Prefer to skip the walking? We also run a separate heli-access version of this trip, flown to the put-in by Aspiring Helicopters. It’s a great option for small private groups and is available through agents. See the East Branch Heli-Access trip.
Highlights
Good to know
Prices & booking
From NZ$499 per person. Book online now, or email [email protected] or call +64 3 443 4416 - new this season and running with limited numbers.
East Branch Heli-Access - fly-in wilderness packrafting
Want to skip the walk in and get straight to the river? The East Branch Heli-Access trip starts with a 15-minute helicopter flight from Wānaka taking you over the Matukituki Valley, its peaks, hanging glaciers and waterfalls. If the weather plays ball, there’s also a chance to land on a glacier before flying on to Junction Flat and the start of your paddle
From the drop-off, you’ll paddle the glacier-fed East Matukituki (Class II/III-), with fun wave trains, technical rapids, and calm emerald pools along the way. Our stable, self-bailing packrafts make this a great option for confident paddlers looking for something a bit different, while our Grade 3-qualified raft guides will read the river and group and adjust the day as needed
You’ll paddle beneath Avalanche Glacier, surrounded by seriously wild backcountry, with beech forest and native birds like pīwakawaka and kākāriki along the way - a part of the valley most people never get to see
Private, small-groups only - your party, your day. It's also a favourite for agents putting together premium, off-the-beaten-track South Island itineraries.
Prefer to earn it on foot? Check out the East Branch Expedition!
Highlights
Good to know
Prices
Priced per group, not per person - one price, one aircraft, your own expedition. NZ$6,900 for a group of four, or NZ$9,500 for five to six paddlers (around NZ$1,583 per person at six). Minimum four paddlers.
For agents & private groups
Available to private groups and the travel trade. Email [email protected] or call +64 3 443 4416 for dates, net agent rates and availability.
