Queenstown, South Island

Family Adventures rafting Queenstown

Family Adventures rafting Queenstown

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Child jumps into Shotover River

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Family Adventures Rafting on Shotover River in Queenstown

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Family Adventures Rafting on Shotover River in Queenstown

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Family Adventures Rafting on Shotover River in Queenstown

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Family Adventures Rafting - kids having a splash

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Family Adventures Rafting on Shotover River in Queenstown

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The road into Skippers Canyon with Family Adventures Queenstown

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Family Adventures Rafting on Shotover River in Queenstown

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Family Adventures Rafting on Shotover River in Queenstown

Ages 3+

Family Adventures Rafting - summer only

For ages 3–103 (older by arrangement) We specialise in soft adventure trips, rafting the gentle rapids of the upper reaches of the famous Shotover River. Our bus and raft adventure is an exciting way to experience the goldmining history of amazing Skippers Canyon, experience easy rafting that’s just perfect for the kids and create memories of a lifetime! Our trip is suitable for everyone from 3 years upwards. Join us for a half day of family fun! Water confidence not necessary.

We are a local family-owned and operated raft company where your safety, enjoyment and comfort is our priority. We provide friendly, professional NZRA guides, transport, modern rafting equipment, helmets, wetsuits or overpants, polar fleeces, spray jackets, life jackets, booties and refreshments. You need to bring swimwear (togs), towel and camera. Water confidence not necessary. Drive only options, personal charters and helicopter options by arrangement.

Trip Times ~ summer 23/24

1st Oct 23-30th April 24
Two trips per day.
7.45am ad 1.30pm departures.
Pick ups from the Station building bus stop, Camp Street, town centre. Please arrive 10mins prior to departure.

PRIVATE TRIPS AVAILALBLE!
Pick up at your own convenience.

EXTRA STUFF

This adventure is a safe, yet exciting way of introducing children to the fun of white water rafting. The rapids are low grade and require no skill to ride over them, but children love the thrill! No swimming or immersion is necessary unless desired.  We travel into the Canyon on the famous Skippers Road which is protected by the NZ Historic Places Trust. Our raft launch point is “The Ford of Brunin” made famous by the Lord of the Rings movies.

SPECTATORS 

Family members who don't wish to raft can still join the trip, enjoy the spectacular scenery of the journey into Skippers Canyon and listen to the colourful commentary and intrepid stories of the area's history. Please enquire for spectator rates.
The Family Adventures base has changing rooms and toilets and food and drinks are served after your river trip.

PRICES

Adult $229, Child $135. Drive-only (non-rafters) $85.

Maritime NZ audited & Members of the NZ Rafting Association and NZTIA.

North Island

South Island

Map of New Zealand
  • Central Otago
  • Auckland
  • Bay of Plenty
  • Christchurch
  • Dunedin
  • Coromandel
  • Gisborne
  • Fiordland
  • Hawkes Bay
  • Marlborough Sounds
  • Manawatu
  • Nelson & Golden Bay
  • Northland
  • North Canterbury
  • Queenstown
  • Rotorua
  • South Canterbury
  • Taranaki
  • Southland
  • Taupo
  • Wanaka
  • Waikato
  • Wellington
  • West Coast
  • Whangarei
  • Bay of Islands
  • Tauranga
  • Gisborne
  • Hamilton
  • Napier
  • Kapiti
  • Palmerston North
  • Whanganui
  • New Plymouth
  • Arrowtown
  • Te Anau
  • Akaroa
  • Ashburton
  • Hanmer
  • Kaikoura
  • Methven
  • Mt Cook
  • Oamaru
  • Tekapo
  • Timaru
  • Abel Tasman
  • Motueka
  • Nelson Lakes
  • Blenheim
  • Picton
  • Catlins
  • Gore
  • Stewart Island
  • Central Plateau
  • Invercargill
  • Cromwell
  • Greymouth
  • Hokitika
  • Westport
  • Glenorchy

Our favourite destinations…

Auckland

New Zealand’s economic heart and biggest city is also an exciting family visitor destination, situated on a sunny harbour with city beaches just minutes away from the CBD. Orientate yourself by heading down to Viaduct Harbour, wandering the waterfront, checking out the super yachts or enjoying the waterfront restaurants. Nearby is the must-visit Sky Tower along with excellent and kid-friendly museums and tons of exciting activities!

Wellington

Wellington is New Zealand’s capital. Here you will find New Zealand's parliament buildings, including the 'Executive Wing', more well-known as 'The Beehive' due to its distinctive shape. Another icon to look out for is the Wellington Tram, which was the main means of public transport between 1878 and 1964.

Christchurch

With a population of around 400,000 Christchurch, in Canterbury, is the South Island ’s largest city, yet much of it has the feel of a small town. Perhaps that’s why it’s known as the Garden City but with the expansive Hagley Park, Botanic Gardens, Port Hills, River Avon and numerous beaches the city certainly has an open, relaxed feel that’s hard to beat.

Queenstown

With its well-deserved reputation as New Zealand’s activity adventure capital you’ll never run out of activities and things to do in Queenstown, but you may run out of time! With breathtaking scenery, activities and festivals, cafes and restaurants, skiing and snowboarding, shopping and wineries, this lakeside alpine resort rates as one of the world’s top vacation destinations for all ages and seasons.

Rotorua

Rotorua sits on the shore of Lake Rotorua, one of sixteen lakes in the area formed by hundreds of thousands of years of eruptions from the Taupo Volcanic Zone. The area is renowned for its geothermal activity and top of any activity list is to see the bubbling mud pools that are around the region for yourself. The Waimangu Volcanic Valley offers a first hand insight into the devastation caused by the 1886 eruption of Mount Tarawera and is a great place to discover steaming volcanic craters and bubbling, spitting  pools of mud!

Nelson and Golden Bay

The Nelson and Golden Bay regions, at the top of the South Island, boast enviable sunshine hours, glorious sandy beaches, safe swimming spots, lots of wildlife to look out for, and Abel Tasman National Park - an absolute must to explore, on foot, by kayak, your own craft or watertaxi.  Nelson is home to a vibrant arts and crafts community with a fabulous Saturday market, and is close to award-winning wineries and family-friendly bike tracks to take you around the coast.

Hawkes Bay

Napier was rebuilt after the 1931 earthquake and is now known as NZ's Art Deco City.  The Art Deco influence has created a unique city – nowhere else can you see such a varied concentration of art deco style. With over 2,200 sunshine hours a year, Napier is a year-round holiday destination with countless activities to entertain the kids – there's days of entertainment on Marine Parade alone, plus numerous other family-friendly trips and activities.  Add to that the beaches, walks and flat cycle paths, outdoor cafes and entertainment, and you have a perfect holiday destination!

Northland

Beautiful, unspoiled beaches, fishing, historic gum fields, kauri forests – the Far North has it all. With subtropical temperatures, it's often known as ‘the Winterless north', with warm, humid summers and mild winters.
Gateway to the Bay of Islands, Paihia is a pretty, lively beachside town and a perfect base for your family holiday. It’s your start point for Bay of Island adventures including day cruises, sailing, kayaking, swimming with dolphins and reef or wreck diving.