'The Original Adventure'.... Queenstown Rafting

If I’m brutally honest, the prospect of throwing myself into the freezing waters of the Kawarau river was not at all appealing at the unholy hour of 08:00am. However, prepared in head to toe in fetching wet suit gear, that is exactly what we went for (and as you can see from the photo, I don’t look too apprehensive whatsoever).

Queenstown Rafting operate on both the Shotover and the Kawarau rivers, the latter being the one I was lucky enough to navigate. Despite being classed as grade 2-3 and therefore in the beginner category of the White Water Rafting scene there was still an immense amount of fun to be had. After a concise and informative safety briefing we were thrust from the river’s edge and into the glacier fed waters of the Kawarau.

The first rapids were experienced with every one of us in the water clinging onto the side with our commander Tom at the helm keeping us both extremely safe as well as thoroughly entertained throughout. The Kawarau is the perfect balance of hectic white water rapids combined with peaceful paddling and the added bonus of the simply stunning scenery.

The alternative to the reasonably tranquil Kawarau is the Shotover River which is graded 3-5 depending on recent rainfall. Here you’ll find yourself initially rafting over peaceful waters until you plunge into the exhilarating rapids of the lower canyon.

A simply stunning way to spend any morning or afternoon and whichever trip you decide to embark on you are safe in the knowledge that you’ll be well looked after, well entertained and end your day entirely satisfied and refreshed given the shower, sauna and refreshments offered afterwards at Cavell’s Rafting Base.

Come and see me at the Concierge Desk to hear more about my rafting story and other adventures I've been through..

Euan Wilson

Concierge/Big-Time Paddler