Wanaka River: Packrafting Adventure with Guide & Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.98 (57 reviews) 98% rated it 5 stars

Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/11

Duration7h 15m

GroupUp to 14

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

Packraft down the Matukituki River with glacier views and lunch

You’ll paddle down the Matukituki River near Wanaka with a local guide, stopping for a riverside picnic lunch and swimming if you’re brave enough. Expect mountain views, glacier air, and plenty of laughs as you learn packrafting basics—plus hotel pickup and all your gear sorted so you can just show up ready for adventure.

7h 15m

Step-by-step itinerary

Packraft Adventure in Wanaka

Pickup and trip briefing
Shuttle to mountains and short walk to Wishbone Falls
Packraft down river with glacier and forest views

The Experience

I’ll admit, I was nervous about the wetsuit part — it’s never exactly graceful getting into one, especially in front of strangers. But our guide, Jamie, just grinned and said everyone looks ridiculous at first. The shuttle ride from Wanaka out to the Matukituki Valley was all misty mountains and sheep fields, plus this big friendly dog who kept trying to sit on my foot. We stopped at Wishbone Falls for a quick walk (the spray on my face woke me up better than coffee), then it was straight into gear.

The river itself surprised me — not wild like I’d pictured, but this clear blue-green ribbon winding through beech forest and stones. Jamie ran us through paddle basics and safety stuff (I definitely zoned out for a second watching sunlight flicker on the water), then we launched. The packrafts felt weirdly sturdy for something inflatable. Sometimes we’d hit these little wave trains that made my stomach drop; other times we just drifted quietly, listening to birds or nothing at all except the water slapping plastic. I tried to say “Matukituki” right — Jamie laughed and said even locals mess it up.

Lunch was a picnic on some flat rocks by the riverbank — sandwiches, fruit, hot tea from a thermos. My hands were freezing but honestly it tasted perfect after paddling. A couple of us jumped in one of the turquoise swimming holes (cold enough to make you yelp). By late afternoon I could actually steer without spinning in circles every time — small victories. The drive back felt quieter somehow; maybe everyone was just tired or maybe it’s that feeling you get when you know you did something new that’ll stick with you awhile.

What’s included

Your day includes shuttle pickup from Wanaka, all packrafting equipment (wetsuits, booties, spray jackets, helmets), safety briefing with your local guide, photos taken along the way, plus a riverside picnic lunch and snacks before returning in the afternoon.

Good to know

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

Operated by Wanaka River Journeys