Half-day Skippers Canyon Historical Tour with Jet Boat Ride
- Location:Queenstown, New Zealand
- Duration:4 hours (approx.)
- TOUR Code:5315PURE
Get the best of both New Zealand’s history and great outdoors on this unique tour from Queenstown that explores the history and natural beauty of Skippers Canyon. Experience a rush of adrenaline and the thrill of high-speed jet boating down the Shotover River; discover the gold rush history of Skippers Canyon over a cup of billy tea with a 5th-generation local; visit the family museum; and try your luck panning for gold.
Highlights
- Half-day historical tour of Skippers Canyon
- Enjoy the magnificent scenery of Skippers Canyon from specialized 4WD vehicles
- Experience the thrill of jet boating down the Shotover River
- Have a cup of billy tea with a 5th-generation local
- Discover the gold rush fever of the 1860s
- Try your luck panning for gold in the Sainsbury gold claim
- Great photo opportunities
Recent Photos of this Tour
Browse the gallery of recent Half-day Skippers Canyon Historical Tour with Jet Boat Ride photos submitted by actual, honest-to-goodness travelers on Viator.
Enter into Skippers Canyon along the “road to riches” as your driver relays the gold rush history of the region. The road has hardly changed since it was first hand-carved from the canyon’s sheer cliffs and rock walls by miners more than 140 years ago. As you weave your way through the Southern Alps to the Shotover River at Deep Creek, enjoy the magnificent scenery from specialized 4WD vehicles that offer great elevated views.
At Deep Creek, gear up with life vests and spray jackets and get set for the ride of your life as you ride a jet boat down the river. Hold on tight as you travel at top speed down the narrow river channel, skimming over shallow, 6-inch-deep (14.4-centimeter-deep) river beds, twisting and turning and performing trick maneuvers as you go.
Relax and enjoy the afterglow of your jet boat adrenaline rush with a cup of billy tea (tea made in rustic kettle over an open fire) with Winky, a 5th-generation local, as she relays the stories of her family’s history dating back to the 1860s. Find out what a real gold nugget feels like in your hand, visit the family museum and try your luck panning for gold.
This is a great day out, where you get to experience the history of Queenstown’s gold rush and an exhilarating jet boat ride down the river.
Schedule Details
Skippers Canyon, Shotover River
Select a month to view a calendar of availability and departure details.
Summer schedule: October - April
8:00am, 1:00pm
Winter Schedule: May - September
9:00am, 1:00pm
Hotel pickups commence prior to this time, you must contact the local service provider to verify your exact pickup time.
Duration:4 hours (approx.)
Return details:Returns to original departure point
Tour and Pricing Options
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Additional Information
- 30-minute jet boat ride down Shotover River
- Life vests
- Spray jackets
- Billy tea
- Museum tour and gold panning
- Driver/guide
- Hotel pickup (selected hotels only)
- Hotel pick ups in Arrowtown
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Minimum age is 3 years
- Not recommended for participants with back problems
- Not recommended for participants with heart complaints or other serious medical conditions
- Not recommended for pregnant women
- Limited toilet facilities, please use before departure
Complete Operator information, including local telephone numbers at your destination, are included on your Confirmation Voucher. Our Product Managers select only the most experienced and reliable operators in each destination, removing the guesswork for you, and ensuring your peace of mind.
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