Jet Boat And Wilderness, 4 Hours
4 hours · Dart River Adventures
Guided tour with gear.
from $185.65 per person Check availability →
Canoe And Jet Boat, Meal Included
Dart River Canoe and Jet Boat Experience from Queenstown
from $290.40 per person
Check Price & Availability →Opens the live booking page with current dates. Book there; nothing is charged on this site. Cancel free up to 24 hours ahead.
- Duration
- 8 hours 15 minutes
- Meeting point
- Dart River Adventures, Mull Street, Glenorchy
- Cancellation
- Cancel free up to 24 hours ahead
- Meal
- Meal included
- Run by
- Dart River Adventures
Overview
The day runs on two speeds. First a jet boat pushes up the braided Dart River at speed, then the pace drops completely as travellers swap to canoes, known here as funyaks, and paddle back down the river, with a side trip into a rock chasm along the way. Dart River Adventures runs the trip from Glenorchy, with the whole thing lasting 8 hours 15 minutes including transfers.
Getting there is part of it. Round-trip transport from Queenstown is a selectable option on the booking page; anyone driving themselves checks in at the Dart River base at 45 Mull Street, Glenorchy. Travellers who self-drive are asked to check in 15 minutes before the 9:30am departure. Once on site, the crew hands out wetsuits, booties, fleeces, lifejackets and dry bags, so nobody needs specialist gear of their own.
A picnic lunch plus soft drinks, tea and coffee are included, and a professional guide stays with the group throughout. One reviewer found the canoeing more effort than expected, while another called the day not strenuous, so the physical demand sits somewhere in between and depends on the paddler. Families do it, the minimum age is 5, and children must be with a paying adult. The scenery draws constant praise from travellers, and one reviewer notes that Lord of the Rings fans will enjoy the area even more.
What's Included
Included
- Round-trip transport from Queenstown (select from Queenstown option)
- Jet boat ride
- Canoe tour
- Use of equipment: lifejacket, wetsuits and booties, fleece, dry bag
- Lunch (Picnic lunch)
- Soft drinks, tea and coffee
- Professional guide
Not Included
- Gratuities
Itinerary
- Travel to GlenorchyTake the selectable round-trip transport from Queenstown, or drive yourself to the Dart River base at 45 Mull Street, Glenorchy. Self-drivers check in 15 minutes before departure.
- Check in and gear upArrive for the 9:30am start, get fitted with wetsuits, booties, fleece, lifejacket and a dry bag, and meet the guide.
- Jet boat up the DartRide the jet boat up the braided river, an exhilarating run that reviewers rate as a highlight in itself.
- Canoe downriverSwitch to canoes and paddle downstream toward the lunch stop, taking in the river scenery at a slower pace.
- Picnic lunchStop for the included picnic lunch, with soft drinks, tea and coffee provided. Reviews call the food good, and one reviewer noted the lunch spot sits ahead of the chasm section.
- Return to baseThe trip finishes back at the meeting point in Glenorchy, with transport back to Queenstown for those who selected it.
What To Expect From The Tour
A few practical points shape how the day goes, from what to wear to how much paddling is involved.
$290.40from, per person
8 hours 15 minutesduration
4.8across 382 guest reviews
32guests at most
- Bring basics. Bring swimwear, a towel, warm clothes, sunscreen and insect repellent. One reviewer regretted skipping repellent, since biting flies were a nuisance at the lunch stop. Pack it even on mild days.
- Paddling effort. The canoe section takes some work. One reviewer describes short drags over rocks and coordinating with a paddle partner, while others call the float downstream enjoyable. A modest level of fitness and mobility helps, and one reviewer who was reluctant about fitness still called it the best day ever.
- Group size. The tour runs with a maximum of 32 travellers. Reviews describe the crew splitting the group into smaller units on the water, and offering families the option of kids riding with a guide, which keeps it manageable.
- Gear provided. Wetsuits, booties, fleeces, lifejackets and dry bags are all supplied. One reviewer mentions changing rooms and locked storage for items not needed on the river. Bring a camera or phone that fits in the dry bag, as the scenery draws constant comment.
- Lunch and drinks. A picnic lunch plus soft drinks, tea and coffee are included, and only gratuities sit outside the package.
- Weather dependence. The experience requires good weather, and weather cancellations come with a different date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of travellers is not met. Checking conditions before departure day is sensible.
Common issues. The canoeing is more physical than some expected, with one reviewer describing rock drags and tricky steering. The tour is not wheelchair accessible, is not recommended for travellers with back problems or pregnancy, and requires a minimum height of 3.3 feet (1 meter) and a minimum age of 5. Cancellations within 24 hours of start time receive no refund, and the operator needs a minimum number of travellers to run, otherwise offering a different date, a different experience, or a full refund.
Common Questions
What Is Included In The Price?
The tour includes the jet boat ride, the canoe tour, all key equipment such as wetsuits, booties, fleece, lifejacket and dry bag, a picnic lunch, soft drinks, tea and coffee, and a professional guide. Round-trip transport from Queenstown is included when the Queenstown option is selected. Gratuities are the only listed exclusion.
Where Does The Tour Start And Is Transport Available?
Round-trip transport from Queenstown is a selectable option. Self-drivers check in at the Dart River Adventures base, 45 Mull Street, Glenorchy, 15 minutes before the 9:30am departure.
Is It Suitable For Children And Families?
Yes, with limits. The minimum age is 5 years and the minimum height is 3.3 feet (1 meter), and children must be accompanied by a paying adult. One reviewer reported the crew offered the option of children riding in a canoe with a guide.
How Fit Do I Need To Be?
A moderate level of fitness helps. One reviewer describes the canoeing as hard work at points, including short drags over rocks and the need to coordinate paddling with a partner. Others, including self-described beginners and reluctant travellers, found it manageable and enjoyable.
What Should I Bring And Wear?
Bring swimwear, a towel, warm clothes, sunscreen and insect repellent. The operator provides wetsuits, booties, fleece, lifejackets and a dry bag for valuables. Repellent matters, since biting flies can appear at the lunch stop.
What Is The Cancellation Policy?
A full refund is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience's start time, based on local time. Inside that window, no refund or changes are accepted. Weather cancellations and failure to meet the minimum traveller number both come with the offer of a different date or a full refund.
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