Rafting

Thrilling white water rafting on the spectacular 1500 rivers that criss-cross New Zealand, adventure capital of the world. From helicopter rafting, to scenic float trips for the whole family, guide training to advanced river rescue course details and much more.

The main New Zealand rafting season is from October to May and the major centres of activity are Rotorua and Queenstown, with a range of Grade 1 to 5 rivers. The North Island principal rafting rivers are the Rangataiki, Tongariro, Ngaruroro, Mohaka and the Kaituna (boasting a 7m waterfall as its highlight). The main South Island Rivers are the Buller, Karamea, Clarence, Rangitata, Shotover and Kawarau. Heli-rafting companies operate in the more remote headwaters such as the West Coast's Hokitika, Grey and Karamea rivers.

White Water Rafting in New Zealand

New Zealand rafting can be enjoyed by anyone who loves the outdoors, although companies usually set a lower age limit of 12/13 years for rapids above Grade 2. All you need to bring for a day excursion is your swimming togs. Wetsuits, flotation gear and helmets are provided and you receive a thorough safety briefing and some fairly intense paddling instructions. You climb aboard an 8-seater rubber raft along with one or two guides and set off down a narrow, rock-strewn riverbed interspersed with short sections of wild, churning rapids. The key to successfully negotiating the rapids is taking the correct line and paddling hard (forwards, backwards or sideways) in response to the guide's shouted commands.

New Zealand has a great variety of safe rafting options in unpolluted clean NZ water. New Zealand rafting options have very high safety standards to ensure only top quality companies run rafting adventures.