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
Wānaka · Mount Aspiring National Park · Te Wāhipounamu UNESCO World Heritage Area

Wānaka River Journeys: into Mount Aspiring National Park by jet boat and packraft

The only commercial jet boat on the Matukituki, and the only jet boat to the foothills of Tititea Mt Aspiring and its glaciers.

Glacier-fed water, ancient forest and big alpine country, by jet boat, packraft and helicopter. Family owned and running the Matukituki River since 2005.

Book Now Explore Experiences
★★★★★ Rated 5.0 on TripAdvisor — Travellers' Choice
▾
★★★★★ TripAdvisor — Travellers' Choice Qualmark Endorsed · Enviro Silver 100% New Zealand Owned Local family business since 2005
Why this is not a lake ride

A national park river, not a lap of the bay

Our Wanaka jet boat tour is a 60 km round trip up a national park river, not a circuit of the lake. Halfway up we stop and walk: about an hour of guided walking through ancient beech forest, with glaciers hanging above you the whole way. Groups are small, so nobody is shouting over a crowd. Allow about four hours from the i-SITE and back.

Experiences

Choose your journey

Seven ways into the valley — from a half-day blast to a private heli-packraft. All depart from the Wānaka i-SITE.

Not sure which trip? Try:
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

Suits most fitness levels. The guided walk takes about an hour, relaxed but not flat, and you can stay near the boat if you prefer.

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
Half day
Jet Boat + Helicopter

Glacier Jet

  • Jet boat the Matukituki deep into Mt Aspiring National Park
  • 25-minute scenic flight with Aspiring Helicopters
  • Glacier landing on Isobel or Tyndall Glacier (weather permitting)
From NZD $1,059 adult, $649 child 4 to 14, jet boat, guided walk, flight and glacier landing included
Book Now View Details
Easy as

Booking is the only flat water around here

1

Book online in 60 seconds

Live availability, instant confirmation. Or call us — a human answers.

2

Meet us at the i-SITE

99 Ardmore Street, on the Wānaka lakefront. We handle the rest, gear included.

3

Into the wild

Within 30 minutes you're inside a UNESCO World Heritage national park.

Why Wanaka River Journeys

Where the road ends, we're just getting started

The Matukituki Valley is the doorstep of Tititea Mt Aspiring. We are the only commercial jet boat on the Matukituki, and the only jet boat to the foothills of Mt Aspiring and its glaciers. No crowds, no queues. Just you, the river, and a guide who calls this valley home. Book the Wanaka jet boat tour and see for yourself.

  • 2005family-owned & operated since
  • #1the only commercial jet boat on the Matukituki
  • ★ 5.0TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice
  • 4+family friendly, year-round trips
51 seconds, zero crowds

Press play.
Feel the spray.

Fifty one seconds of an ordinary Matukituki morning: the run up the river, the spins, the walk in the forest, and everyone back in Wānaka for lunch. Sound on for the full effect, or off, the captions have you covered.

Book This Feeling Trip Details
Reviews

“An 11 on a scale of 10”

Hot off the river: what guests said in the last few weeks, across every trip we run.

★★★★★

“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
★★★★★

“We had a tremendous time! I was nervous about the rapids as I'd never rafted before, but the instruction from Mia and Kaylee was outstanding.”

KimPackraft Wānaka
★★★★★

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

Leann RTripAdvisor
★★★★★

“An exceptional way to experience the vast and pristine space that is Mount Aspiring National Park and the Matukituki River.”

Alison LTripAdvisor
★★★★★

“Superb day in a valley with incredible landscapes. And for the record, the sandwiches were very good.”

Thomas GPackraft Wānaka
Read more on TripAdvisor
Caring for the valley

Tourism that gives back to the Matukituki

One native tree planted for every trip. $5 from every booking to Southern Lakes Sanctuary. Stoat trapping, birdlife monitoring and river rescue for the whole valley. Qualmark Enviro Silver is not a sticker to us, it is the job.

How we give back

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