To the Foothills of Mt Aspiring

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 are the only commercial jet boat on the Matukituki, so no one else can take you there. If you are weighing up the two routes over, see Queenstown to Wānaka.

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 guided walk of about an hour 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.

$359 per adult and $229 per child aged 4 to 14, ages 4 and up, with a Family+ price of $889 for two adults and two children. 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.

See the trip: Wānaka Jet Boat & Wilderness Walk

More on the park and the river in Mount Aspiring National Park by jet boat, and if you have the kids with you, things to do in Wānaka with kids.

Ages 4 and up, all fitness levels, guided walk and all gear included, free cancellation up to 48 hours before departure.

Book the Jet Boat and Wilderness Walk