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Rafting - Shotover River

Q&As

Latest Questions about Rafting - Shotover River

Hi
Is there any way to do white water rafting on either 1/10 2/10 or 3/10 this year please?

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Hi on Monday the 16th in January I did the shot over white water rafting and have still not received the photos, someone from my group email just over a week ago and they got a response saying it will be a couple more days, this has now been over 2 weeks and it is getting a bit ridiculous, every other activity done in Queenstown gave them to us instantly or within that day of the activity. Looking forward to hearing back.

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What are typical Shotover river conditions in late May? I've rafted it once before, but that was over 20 years ago in January. It was challenging enough for a first timer then; just wondering how it might compare in May. Planning a trip for 2023...

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Hi. Travelling to Queenstown late August 2022. Seems unable to book white water rafting with any operator listed on Google. Do you know why? Thank you

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Thanks for you're enquiry into the epic White Water Rafting tours in Queenstown & NZ! Late August is still very much wintertime in NZ so it's just a bit too cold for Rafting. Most of our rivers are snow or glacial melt fed so very cold even in the summer months.

Comment by: Kalena- ETG on 21st Jul 22 at 09:50

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Good morning

Can you advise if the Shotover River Helicopter Ride and White Water Rafting offer will be available in June of this year for a family of 4?

cheers
Chris

Comments

Thank you for your question about the Shotover Rafting, rafting unfortunately is not operating this winter in 2022 due to the effects of covid and tourism.

Comment by: Etg on 20th Apr 22 at 09:26

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We're coming in mid November when presumably the river is much quieter, is it still a white water thrill then?

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No this is still very much a white water thrill. The Shotover River Rafting really requires some involvement from you so does feel like a challenge.

Comment by: Shelley- Everything Travel Group on 1st Oct 19 at 11:44

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What is the difference between you and the other raftcompanies that have rafting in shotover river?

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We send our customers to a company called Challenge Rafting who along with Queenstown Rafting are the only two companies operating rafting on the Shotover River in Queenstown. In fact, they use the same guides and rafts so in essence there is really only one rafting operator on the Shotover River. Many years ago there were a number of rafting companies competing on the Shotover River however over the years for safety and logistics these were all amalgamated into one operation.

There is one other company called Family Rafting that operate gentle kid friendly rafting on the upper Shotover River but this is not on white water and its on a different part of the river. You have the option of booking a heli flight into the start of the rafting (helirafting) or to take the bus into Skippers Canyon (straight rafting).

Comment by: Everything Travel Group (Callum) on 10th Dec 14 at 11:39

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Hi,
Wondering if you could tell me whether there is any whitewater rafting available for 8 & 10 year olds? They've rafted before in Nepal and loved it - both great swimmers.

Many thanks
Kirsty

Comments

Hi Kirsty. Unfortunately the minimum age for white water rafting in New Zealand is 13 years old. There is another company in Queenstown that operates family rafting in very gentle rapids but it might be a bit tame for your kids if they are strong in the water.

Otherwise there is another option called Riversurfing. Its more intense than rafting and they do allow kids over 7 years old to do this with parental consent. They get their own guide and only up to 2 kids under 12 can go on any one trip. 

Comment by: Everything Travel Group (Callum) on 1st Dec 14 at 15:54

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Hi, I am coming to Queenstown at the start of August and was going to book when I got there. Should I book earlier? Will activities like these book out?

Comments

Hi Kristen. It's a good idea to book activities in advance before you arrive in Queenstown as the rafting is pretty popular and sometimes large groups can book out the rafting several days in a row. I'd suggest picking a date that you want to go rafting and booking it via our site and then if you decide closer to the date or once you are in Queenstown that you want to change this date then we can do this for you free of charge. I also recommend booking for the afternoon trip rather than the morning as its more enjoyable rafting once the afternoon sun is at its warmest. You can also combine other activities with the rafting such as the Shotover Jet, bungy jumping, skydiving etc that will save you some time and money.  

Raft Combos

Comment by: Everything Travel Group (Callum) on 18th Jul 14 at 14:17

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How much is it for photos?

Comments

Hi Shelley, there are various photo packages that are available for purhcase on the day of your Shotover Rafting trip. If you just want to purhcase the photos they are $39, if you want them on a DVD the price is $49 and if you want your photos and video on a usb stick the cost is $69.

Comment by: Everything Travel Group (Belinda) on 26th Mar 13 at 13:05

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Do you need to wear anything special when rafting during mid April?

Comments

Hi Christopher, you will just need your swim wear and a towel and everything else will be provided for the Shotover Rafting excursion. You will want to take some warm clothes with you to put on afterwards as well. 

Comment by: Everything Travel Group (Belinda) on 18th Mar 13 at 13:29

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Hi, is the Shotover River suitable for people who can swim but who are absolute beginners with zero rafting experience?

Comments

Hi Alex, you do not need any rafting experience to raft the Shotover River you just need to be confident in the water. 

Comment by: Everything Travel Group (Belinda) on 6th Sep 12 at 11:17

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Hi just wanting to know what time you would be back in queenstown if you went in the morning?

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Hi Natalie, you will be back in Queenstown by 12.30pm at the latest after the morning Shotover Rafting.

Comment by: Everything Travel Group (Belinda) on 11th Jun 12 at 19:04

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Do you need to wear anything special when rafting in winter?

Comments

Hi Melissa, no you don't have to take anything special with you for the winter. You will be provided with waterproof booties, a full length 5mm wetsuit as well as a 5mm jacket, spray-jacket and life jacket. These should keep you adequately warm and the paddling action certainly keeps the blood flowing too. We have additional neoprene socks and gloves for the winter rafting. You will need a swimsuit and a towel. There are showers and a sauna after the trip

Comment by: Everything Travel Group (Belinda) on 25th May 12 at 10:21

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Hello
When it's snowing is this something that still goes ahead?

Comments

Hi Hayley. The Shotover River rafting in Queenstown will still go ahead if it is snowing however during winter the only access to the rafting is by helicopter (heli rafting) and if it's snowing the helicopters probably wont be able to fly. If this happens then the rafting will be cancelled also as there is no access via the Skippers Canyon road in winter. If your rafting is cancelled then you can reschedule for another day or receive a full refund.

Comment by: Everything Travel Group (Callum) on 28th Mar 12 at 17:04

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