Kawarau River Rafting in Queenstown: Grade 2-3 Rapids

The Kawarau River gives you rapids, flat stretches to swim, and the longest commercially rafted rapid in New Zealand.

Kawarau River rafting near Queenstown is a half-day whitewater activity where you paddle 8 kilometers through grade 2-3 rapids, with a live guide leading the way. The operator provides a free shuttle from central Queenstown, all rafting gear and wetsuits, a safety briefing, and access to flat sections where you can swim or race other rafts between the rapids. The highlight is the Dog Leg, a 400-meter grade 3/4 rapid, and you can choose to add optional cliff jumping or watch from the raft.

The Experience

Kawarau River starts at the RealNZ Visitor Centre on Beach Street in central Queenstown, where you catch a free shuttle to the raft base. Once there, the guides fit you out with a wetsuit, helmet, life jacket and all other gear you need. After a full safety briefing and paddling instruction, you're on the water for 8 kilometers of the river.

The rapids come in grades 2 and 3, with occasional grade 2-4 sections when water levels are higher. Between the rapids sit flat stretches where you can jump out and swim, race the other rafts, or just float and take in the canyon walls around you. The day builds toward the Dog Leg, a 400-meter rapid graded 3/4 — the longest commercially rafted rapid in New Zealand. If you want more adrenaline, you can join the optional rock jumping section; if you'd rather not, you stay in the raft and watch.

The whole activity runs about four and a half hours from pickup to drop-off. You finish at the raft base with access to hot showers before the shuttle takes you back to town. Bring a swimsuit and towel; everything else is provided.

What’s included

• Free shuttle from central Queenstown to the raft base and back.
• wetsuit, helmet, life jacket and all other rafting equipment.
• full safety briefing and paddling instruction from a live guide.
• access to hot showers at the raft base after your run.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by RealNZ

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English throughout, so you follow the instruction and the commentary without a language barrier. This works for first-timers who want an introduction to whitewater rafting and for anyone confident enough to swim between the rapids — the flat stretches and the optional cliff jumping let you set your own pace through the day.

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Top questions

What rapids will I paddle on the Kawarau River?

The Kawarau River rafting covers grade 2-3 rapids for most of the 8-kilometer run, with occasional grade 2-4 sections depending on water levels. The highlight is the Dog Leg, a 400-meter grade 3/4 rapid — the longest commercially rafted rapid in New Zealand.

Is there a guide with me the whole time?

Yes, a live guide in English leads the raft and handles the technical sections. They also run the safety briefing before you launch and give paddling instruction so you know what to do on the water.

Can I swim during the Kawarau River rafting?

Yes. Between the rapids are flat stretches where you can jump out and swim, or race the other rafts if you want to stay in. You must bring a swimsuit and towel, and you need to be a confident swimmer.

What's included in the price?

The Kawarau River rafting includes the free shuttle from central Queenstown to the raft base and back, a wetsuit, helmet, life jacket and all other rafting gear, a full safety briefing, paddling instruction, and access to hot showers at the base afterward.

What's the age requirement for Kawarau River rafting?

The minimum age is 13 years old. Children aged 13 to 15 must be accompanied by a guardian. You also need to weigh between 40 and 120 kilograms and be in at least moderate physical fitness to participate.

How long does the Kawarau River rafting take?

The whole activity, including the shuttle, gear fitting, safety briefing and rafting itself, runs about four and a half hours from pickup at the visitor centre to drop-off back in town.