Queenstown to Wānaka is about 70 km and about an hour over the Crown Range Road, or around 115 km and an hour and a quarter via Cromwell and the Kawarau Gorge. From May to October you must carry chains on the Crown Range, and after snow the Cromwell road is the one to take, especially in a rental or a campervan. Leave early and you are in Wānaka by mid morning.
Queenstown makes a great base. The wilderness starts over the hill.
A bit over an hour's drive over the Crown Range, one of New Zealand's most scenic roads, gets you to Wānaka. From there we take you somewhere the Queenstown brochures don't go: a 60 km round trip up the braided Matukituki River, deep into Mount Aspiring National Park, to the foothills of Tititea / Mt Aspiring itself. We're the only commercial jet boat on the Matukituki, so no one else can take you there.
How the day works
Leave Queenstown by 8am and you'll make our 9:45am departure comfortably. Check-in is 10 minutes before departure at the Wānaka i-SITE, 99 Ardmore Street, right on the lakefront. The trip itself is a half day: the jet boat run up the valley, an easy hour-long guided walk through ancient beech forest, leisurely and fine for all ages, and the river home. You'll be back in Wānaka early afternoon with time for a lakefront lunch, a look around town, and an easy cruise back over the Crown Range before dinner. Rather not rush the morning? There's a 12:45pm departure too.
Take the 12:45pm boat if you want a Wānaka lunch first, or the 9:45am and drive back through Cromwell with a stop at the fruit stalls.
$359 per adult, ages 4 and up, and more than 400 five-star reviews from the people who've done it. We run in most weather, as long as it's going to be enjoyable. The valley turns properly dramatic in the mist, and if we do have to cancel, you're rebooked or refunded in full.
It is the day trip from Queenstown that most people never hear about. If you only have an hour, Shotover and KJet are in town and they are very good at what they do. Ours is a half day up a national park river with a walk in the middle and the mountain at the end of it. See the trip: Wanaka jet boat and wilderness walk, or read about Rob Roy Glacier while you are planning.
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.
About 70 km over the Crown Range, around 115 km via Cromwell.
About an hour over the Crown Range in good conditions, an hour and a quarter via Cromwell, longer in winter.
Cromwell, unless you are carrying chains and the Crown Range is open and clear.
Yes. Leave by 8am, take the 9:45am or 12:45pm boat, and you are back in Queenstown for dinner.
More questions? See all FAQs or call +64 3 443 4416.
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✓ Free cancellation up to 48 hours before departure, and a full refund if we cancel for weather.
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