Kawarau River Whitewater Rafting
Highlights & inclusions
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August 2026
2. Select participants
Highlighted reviews
Would do this again a thousand times
The team were amazing particularly KC and his partner. She was fabulous.
What you can expect
Rafting on the Kawarau River combines both beautiful landscapes and a heart-racing adrenaline activity in Queenstown. With Grade 2-3 rapids, the Kawarau River Rafting is perfect for first time rafters, or those looking for a mix of thrills and a scenic river journey. The highlight of this Queenstown rafting trip is the unforgettable 400m Dog Leg rapid, the longest commercially rafted rapid in New Zealand.
Not only will you be rafting down the Kawarau River, but you will also be given the chance to swim a section and even cliff jump should you choose to! With a variety of rapids and changing river levels, you can expect a gripping ride no matter what.
The expert Kawarau River Rafting guides will provide you with a full safety briefing before your departure. With one guide per raft, they will be with you every step of the way to tackle the rapids on your journey down the river. After all the exhilaration, you'll head back to the Rafting Base where you can enjoy the comfort of hot showers post-trip.
For those looking for even more adventure, check out the Grade 5 Shotover River Rafting, or combine the Kawarau River Rafting with an exhilarating jet boat ride on the Jet to Raft Combo to add a high-speed jet boat ride.
Location
What you need to know
- You must be competent at swimming
- You must not be taking heart medication or have any heart conditions
- You must weigh between 40kg and 120kg
- Return transfers from central Queenstown
- All safety equipment & rafting gear
- Whitewater rafting down the Kawarau River
- Expert guides & full safety briefing
- Hot showers after rafting
- Allow 4.5 hours
- 9:00am & 2:00pm
- Pick up from 88 Beach Street Visitor Centre (or self drive to rafting base at 1 Arthurs Point Road)
- Operates from October - April
- You must be competent at swimming - imagine yourself swimming in the sea with medium waves around you, if you can handle that then you should be able to handle the Kawarau River
- You must not not be taking heart medication or have any heart conditions
- Minimum age is 13 years
- Please bring swimwear, a towel & a warm jacket for after your trip. We advise that valuables are left behind
- Kawarau River is grade 2-3 rapids (may vary with weather and seasons)
- Anyone under 18 will need to be accompanied by someone 18 years of age or older
- If you are pregnant you are unable to raft
- The weight range for rafting is 40kg – 120kg
- Trips are weather, river level & water/temperature dependent
- You do not need any previous rafting experience. A full safety briefing will be given before the experience
- The rafts carry a max of eight people including the guide
- Please inform your guide of any medical conditions so they are prepared in the unlikely event that something does go wrong. If you need medication for you condition, e.g. asthma inhalers, you need to bring that with you
Recent reviews
We just want to inform you that we had to switch our Raftingtour from the Shootover River to the shorter one at the Kawarau River because of the waterlevel. The Guides told us to inform you to get a refund. We never got the refund Greetings Jan
Review for Shotover River Whitewater Rafting - Grade 3-5
Would do this again a thousand times
Review for Shotover River Whitewater Rafting - Grade 3-5
The team were amazing particularly KC and his partner. She was fabulous.
Review for Shotover River Whitewater Rafting - Grade 3-5
