The Matukituki is the valley that runs from the head of Lake Wānaka into the heart of Mount Aspiring National Park. It is a big, braided, glacier-fed river with a west branch and an east branch, station country on the flats, beech forest on the sides and Tititea Mt Aspiring at the top of it. If you have driven the Wanaka-Mount Aspiring Road out past Glendhu Bay and wondered where it goes, this is where.
Most people meet the valley at Raspberry Creek, the car park at the end of the road, 54 km from town with the last 30 km on gravel and a few fords thrown in. From there the tracks fan out: Rob Roy Glacier up a side valley, Aspiring Hut and the tracks beyond it up the west branch. The road end is where the walking starts. It is also where the river is at its best, and we are on that river most days.
We are the only commercial jet boat on the Matukituki, and the trip has run since 2005. The Wanaka jet boat and wilderness walk goes up the west branch under Rob Roy and Avalanche glaciers to the base of the mountain, stops for an hour's easy guided walk into McGills Creek, then comes home with the spins. Half a day from the Wānaka i-SITE, ages four and up. Our packrafting trips go further up the valley than the boat does; Packraft Wānaka is a full day on beginner-friendly whitewater, and the East Branch Expedition is for experienced paddlers. In season there is a helicopter option in the middle of the day, the Glacier Jet.
A few things worth knowing before you go up. The valley makes its own weather, and rain in town does not mean rain up there, or the reverse. The fords on the road are fine after a dry day and a real problem after a wet one. The river can rise fast; river level is what decides whether our trips run, and we refund in full when we call one off. Kea live up here and will take anything that is not tied down. And you need to be well up the valley before Mt Aspiring shows itself, so a short drive in does not count.
The Jet Boat and Wilderness Walk is $359 per adult and $229 per child aged 4 to 14, with the guided walk and all gear included, and nothing is charged until you confirm. If you already paddle, ask us about Packraft Wānaka.
About an hour of walking at a gentle pace, and you can stay by the boat instead. Bring a warm layer, a hat and closed shoes; we supply life jackets and wet-weather gear. Minimum age four. If we call a trip off for river levels you are refunded in full.
Drive the Wanaka-Mount Aspiring Road from Wānaka, 54 km to the end, the last 30 km unsealed with fords. Or book with us and we drive you up the valley from the i-SITE.
The west branch has the road end, Rob Roy Glacier, Aspiring Hut and our jet boat. The east branch is wilder; our East Branch Expedition packrafts it.
Yes. We run through winter with a 12:45pm departure, and snow on the peaks is the best version of it. We close for maintenance in May and June.
It is the reason the trip exists: braided, shallow and fast, which is jet boat water, and it runs through a national park to the foot of the highest peak in it.
More questions? See all FAQs or call +64 3 443 4416.
✓ Free cancellation up to 48 hours before departure, and a full refund if we cancel for weather.
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