Departs the Wanaka i-SITE · Trips run year-round 📞 +64 3 443 4416info@wanakajet.nz
Home Jet Boat & Wilderness WalkPackraft WānakaEast Branch ExpeditionEast Branch Heli-AccessGlacier JetGlacier River SafariEssential Wānaka Explore: where we goRob Roy GlacierMount Aspiring National ParkThe Matukituki ValleyWānaka on a rainy dayWānaka in winterQueenstown to WānakaTo the foothills of Mt AspiringMt Aspiring by jet boatWānaka with kidsReviews About UsConservationFAQsContact Book Now
The Everything Day

Essential Wānaka: jet boat, helicopter and 4WD in one day

Jet boat, wilderness walk, glacier helicopter flight and 4WD farm safari — in one day.

Request a date
⏱ Full day · approx 8.5 hours 👨‍👩‍👧 Ages 4+ · min 2 paying adults for flight 📍 Departs the Wanaka i-SITE From NZD $1,456 adult, helicopter, 4WD safari and lunch included
The Experience

What you're in for

Short on time, big on appetite? Essential Wānaka is the combination day — every signature experience we offer, stitched into one seamless itinerary.

Jet boat up the glacier-fed Matukituki. Lift off for a 25-minute scenic helicopter flight over icefields and hanging valleys. Walk through moss-draped beech forest. Then ride high into West Wanaka Station by 4WD for the views that sell postcards.

One day. River, ice, forest and high country. If you only do one thing in Wānaka — do everything.

Highlights

  • Jet boat the Matukituki into Mt Aspiring National Park
  • 25-minute glacier helicopter flight (weather permitting)
  • Guided wilderness walk through ancient forest
  • 4WD high-country farm safari through West Wanaka Station

Good to know: Suitable for most — ages 4+ (children with an adult). Helicopter flights and glacier landings are weather dependent.

Schedule & need-to-know

Duration

Approx 8.5 hours, departing outside the Wanaka i-SITE

Good to know

Minimum 2 paying adults required for the helicopter flight. Flights & glacier landings are weather dependent.

Booking

Email info@wanakajet.nz to book this combo

What's included

  • Jet boat ride
  • 25-minute glacier helicopter flight (weather permitting)
  • Guided wilderness walk through ancient forest
  • 4WD high-country farm safari (West Wanaka Station)
  • Riverside lunch included
  • All safety gear and expert guide

What to bring

  • Warm layers / a jacket
  • Trainers
  • Sunglasses
  • Water bottle & snacks
  • Camera

Good to know

  • A full day
  • If weather stops the helicopter flight you're refunded the helicopter portion and still do the jet boat & walk
  • Departs the Wanaka i-SITE with free lakefront parking
Fitness, safety & FAQs
Before you book

Quick answers

How fit do I need to be?

Suitable for most: ages 4 and up, with children accompanied by an adult. The jet boat and guided wilderness walk are easy-going and need no special fitness, and the helicopter flight is comfortable for all ages.

What if the helicopter can't fly?

Helicopter flights and glacier landings are weather dependent. If conditions stop the flight, you're given a full refund of the helicopter portion and you still do the jet boat ride and guided wilderness walk.

Is this safe?

Adventure activities carry inherent risk, and rarely, serious injury. Our guides are highly trained, we're Qualmark endorsed and Maritime NZ certified, and safety is the start of everything we do. Read our full risk disclosure before you travel.

What's your cancellation policy?

For this trip we confirm your date, price and cancellation terms by email when you book. As a guide, our standard policy is a full refund for cancellations made 48+ hours before departure; if we ever have to cancel for weather, river conditions or low numbers, we'll rebook you or refund you in full.

More questions? See all FAQs or call +64 3 443 4416.

Gallery

Straight from the river

Aspiring Helicopters helicopter parked on the snow at the glacier landingJet boat carving across the turquoise Matukituki RiverCouple standing on a glacier landing with snowy peaks behind, Glacier Jet trip from WanakaPackrafts on turquoise water between bush-clad banks on the Matukituki RiverRob Roy Glacier ice cliffs and snow on the mountainsideGuests in red life jackets on the jet boat heading up the Matukituki Valley towards the mountains
Where you'll go

Trip map

All trips depart from outside the Wanaka i-SITE, 99 Ardmore Street, Wānaka.

Reviews

“An 11 on a scale of 10”

What guests say about the everything day: boat, walk, helicopter and 4WD.

★★★★★

“Wow! Just wow! An 11 on a scale of 10! A perfect adventure thanks to perfect Wanaka weather, professional organisation, and our friendly and considerate guides.”

TripAdvisor Review, 2025Jet Boat & Wilderness Walk
★★★★★

“Best in New Zealand. Thrilling, spectacular scenery, off the beaten path! River Journeys takes you places you can only get to with these jet boats.”

MinnesotaLaurieTripAdvisor
★★★★★

“Fun exhilarating jet boat ride! Awe-inspiring, breathtaking scenery. Beautiful hike through the forest to a waterfall. Ben was an excellent guide.”

Leann RTripAdvisor
Read more on TripAdvisor
Keep exploring

You might also like

Half day★ Most Popular
Signature Experience

Jet Boat & Wilderness Walk

  • The only jet boat to the base of Mt Aspiring & its glaciers
  • Famous 360° jet spins on glacier-fed water
  • About an hour of guided walking through ancient forest to McGills Creek
From NZD $359 adult, $229 child 4 to 14, guided walk and all gear included

Family+ $889 for a family of four, everything included (2 adults and 2 children).

Book Now View Details
Full day
Full-Day Adventure

Packraft Wānaka

  • Beginner-friendly Grade II whitewater — small groups
  • Scenic shuttle through the Matukituki Valley with glacier views
  • Full safety briefing & paddle lesson before you launch
From NZD $429 adult, $349 child 10 to 14, lesson, lunch and all gear included
Book Now View Details
Full dayNEW
New · Advanced Packrafting

East Branch Expedition

  • Remote upper East Branch — far beyond the day-trip crowds
  • Continuous Grade 2 whitewater with an optional Grade 2+ challenge rapid
  • Wilderness walk-in to a hidden put-in below the Kitchener confluence
From NZD $499 adult, ages 14 and up, guides, safety cover and all packrafting gear included
Book Now View Details

Keep up with the people and the place… Wānaka

River conditions, new trips and the occasional kea photo. No spam — we're too busy driving boats.

Book Now 📞 Call