Kawarau River Tours and Tickets

Experience heart-racing fun on an exhilarating Queenstown jet-boat ride. The expert captain races across Lake Wakatipu, navigates tricky turns on the Kawarau River and speeds through the milky waters of the Shotover River. Grab hold of your seat as the jet boat makes 360-degree spins and fishtails on a rollercoaster ride over the water.

Explore Lake Wakatipu by boat on a 1.5-hour cruise from Queenstown. As you travel to the end of the lake, you can see stunning lakeside homes, a variety of bird life, Kawarau Dam, and the magnificent scenery that surrounds Queenstown. Get unobstructed views from the sundeck or stay warm in the heated cabin, and have the option to purchase drinks from the onboard bar.

This exhilarating alternative to slow sightseeing cruises allows you to whizz around Lake Wakatipu on a jet boat and feel the thrill of twists, turns, and riding over rapids. During the adventure, access scenic views of cliffs and natural wonders, as you ride along the Kawarau River—the perfect option for nature lovers and thrillseekers alike.

If you like to combine sightseeing with extreme adventure, this jet boat ride on Lake Wakatipu and the Kawarau River is for you. Skim over the surface of the water at up to 59 miles per hour and lean into 360-degree spins. If you remember to look at the view, you’ll be impressed by the snow-capped mountains and river canyons you zip through. A fun family-friendly activity.

Get to know Queenstown's highlights, history, culture, and scenery on this half-day tour. With a small group limited to just 11 people or fewer, travel in a minivan to locales such as Lake Hayes, Arrowtown, Lord of the Rings locations, and a Honey farm. Pickup and drop-off in central Queenstown included.

Enjoy an off-road adventure in the wild of New Zealand on this half-day Wakatipu Basin 4-wheel drive tour from Queenstown. Cruise along off-road routes toward the Remarkables mountain range — widely used in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Admire panoramic views over Deer Park Heights and the Kawarau Gorge, and then head onward to the historic gold-mining settlement of Arrowtown. Traverse bumpy river crossings along the Arrow River, and pan for gold on the riverbank. Then gaze over the Wakatipu Basin from Coronet Peak en route back to Queenstown.

Spend an afternoon tasting New Zealand wines and taking in the scenery of Central Otago on a half-day tour from Queenstown. Your guide takes you to three wineries for tastings and a wine cave tour, with sightseeing at Lord of the Rings film sites and other top attractions along the way. Includes wine tastings, afternoon tea, and hotel pickup and drop-off.

The Skippers Road is a historic route we travel via 4WD. Built during the gold rush we drive high above the Kawerau River giving you a historic context of what life was like for the original settlers of Skippers Canyon, sharing stories, tales and showing you relics from the past.

While the destinations you will be visiting are truly spectacular, we at Cheeky Kiwi Travel believe it is our small groups, our guides, the journey and the little details that set our tours well apart. Secret stops, wildlife viewings, specially designed vehicles, complementary refreshments and many other pleasant surprises ensure our tours are an experience to remember. Mt Cook & Hooker Valley Hike Tour, this small group, fully-guided day trip combines all of the key highlights in the area with the famous Hooker Valley Hike. Led by our famously passionate tour guides, notorious for bringing your journey to life by sharing their stories and rich background knowledge and run in modern, comfortable minibuses packed with extras ensuring your comfort and safety.

Experience the best of New Zealand without the hassle of arranging transport, accommodation, and activities yourself on this comprehensive 24-day hop-on hop-off tour route. You can hop on and off the route as much as you like over a 12 month period. The route covers both the North and South Islands, including highlights like the Coromandel Peninsula, Mount Cook, and Kaikoura. Go at your own pace while being supported along the way.

Mt Cook to Queenstown Small Group Tour, this fully-guided 1-way transfer allows you to travel in style while learning about all the highlights along the way. Led by our famously passionate tour guides, notorious for bringing your journey to life by sharing their stories and rich background knowledge, and run in modern, comfortable minibuses packed with extras ensuring your comfort and safety.