Shotover River Rafting Queenstown: Class I-II Rapids for Families
Glide through Skippers Canyon’s calm rapids while spotting gold rush relics along the shore
Raft the upper reaches of the Shotover River near Queenstown on a half-day activity with a qualified guide, transport from town and all rafting equipment included. Class I and II rapids are suitable for ages three and up with no water confidence required. The trip passes through Skippers Canyon, a former gold-mining region where your guide explains the area's history as you travel. Morning and afternoon departures are available.
Options for this experience
2 optionsWhat’s included
- Qualified rafting guide leading the activity.
- transport by bus from Queenstown to the rafting base.
- all specialized river rafting equipment including wetsuit, helmet and life jacket.
- snacks during the trip.
- GST.
Times
- Every day 07:45 13:30
Before you book
Operated by Family Adventures
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The experience
You start in Queenstown and drive through Skippers Canyon to the rafting base, learning about the region's gold-mining past along the way. The bus ride itself is part of the experience. The canyon is narrow and dramatic, and the road winds through terrain most visitors never see. Once you reach the water, you're outfitted with a wetsuit, helmet and life jacket, then pushed off into the upper Shotover River where the rapids are manageable enough for three-year-olds but still give you something real to navigate.
Class I and II rapids mean you're paddling through moving water without the shock of bigger drops. Your guide handles the technical calls and steers from the back, but you're doing the work: pulling the paddle through each rapid, feeling the current shift beneath you, reading the water ahead. The whole experience takes about five hours from pickup to return, with the actual rafting portion being the centerpiece. Snacks are provided during the trip, and you'll get souvenir photos available to purchase afterward.
Family Adventures is a member of the NZ Rafting Association and holds Qualmark accreditation, with 12 consecutive Excellence ratings. The guide speaks English and leads the activity in a way that works for mixed ages: small children can sit in the middle of the boat where they're most stable, and the pace keeps everyone engaged without overwhelming anyone. Water confidence is not necessary. The river does most of the work, and your job is just to stay in rhythm with the paddle strokes.
Is this one for you?Choose the morning or afternoon departure based on what fits your Queenstown schedule: both cover the same river and canyon, so the decision is just about timing. The five-hour commitment includes the drive, the paddle and the return, so you're looking at a half-day activity rather than a quick splash.
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Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 17 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
Can my three-year-old actually raft, or do they just come along?
Children from age three paddle with the group. Infants and very small children can ride in a pram or stroller during the bus portion and the walk to the water, but once on the raft they're part of the crew: holding a paddle, feeling the rapids, doing what everyone else does.
What's the difference between the morning and afternoon departures?
Morning Rafting and Afternoon Rafting are both available for the 2026-27 season. Both follow the same route and include the same activities. The choice is which time works better for your schedule in Queenstown.
Do I need to know how to swim or have rafted before?
Water confidence is not necessary. The Shotover River's upper reaches are gentle enough that the guide and the boat do most of the work. You're paddling in rhythm with the group, not fighting the current. Everyone from age three upward can participate.
What do I need to bring, and what's provided?
Bring a swimsuit and towel. The operator provides a wetsuit, helmet, life jacket and all specialized river rafting equipment. Snacks are included during the trip, and souvenir photos are available to purchase afterward.
How do I get to the rafting base from my Queenstown hotel?
Transport from Queenstown to the rafting base is included in the trip. You'll be picked up and driven through Skippers Canyon to the water. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you'll need to arrange your own way to the meeting point or use public transportation options available nearby.
Shotover River Rafting Queenstown: Class I-II Rapids for Families
5h · EN
from NZ$ 329 per person
≈ US$ 189 in your currency
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