Jet Boating at Hanmer Springs by Campervan: The Waiau Uwha Gorge

Quick summary: For campervan travellers heading to Hanmer Springs, a jet boat ride through the Waiau Uwha River gorge is right on the way. The base sits beside the Waiau Ferry Bridge, on the road into Hanmer, where the river has cut a steep canyon through the hills. Jet boats race through the gorge’s rapids and narrow stretches with spins and close passes of the rock walls, then you can drive the last few kilometres into the village for a soak in the thermal pools. It’s an easy stop in a campervan or motorhome.

At a glance
Where	The Waiau Uwha River at the Waiau Ferry Bridge
From Hanmer Springs	Around 10 km, on the road into the village
From Christchurch	Around 125 km
Ride length	Typically 30 minutes to an hour
Also at the bridge	Bungy jumping and rafting
Tours	Hanmer Springs jet boat tours

Compare campervan and motorhome hire in Christchurch

What is the Waiau Uwha gorge ride like?

The jet boat leaves from below the Ferry Bridge and heads into the gorge, where the river runs fast and clear between steep, rocky walls. Drivers weave through the bends and rapids, skim the shallows and add 360-degree spins, then return to the base beneath the bridge. The scenery is classic North Canterbury: tussock hills, willows and a deep blue-green river.

Is the jet boat base easy to reach in an RV?

Yes. The base is beside State Highway 7A, the road from the main highway into Hanmer Springs, so it’s directly on your route. There’s a car park beside the bridge with room for larger vehicles. If you’re arriving from Christchurch, stop on the way in; if you’re staying in Hanmer, it’s a short drive back down the road.

What else is there at the Ferry Bridge?

• Bungy jumping from the bridge into the gorge.
• White-water rafting on the river.
• Quad biking and other adventure activities nearby.

What is there to do in Hanmer Springs?

• The thermal pools, a large complex of hot pools, the village’s main attraction.
• Forest walks in the Hanmer Forest Park, with tracks to lookouts over the village.
• Mountain biking on forest trails.
• The village, with cafés, shops and a relaxed alpine atmosphere.

For the local guide, see christchurchtours.co.nz’s Hanmer Springs page and its Hanmer Springs tours.

Where can you stay?

Hanmer Springs has many holiday parks close to the thermal pools and village. Freedom camping in a certified self-contained vehicle is limited to the sites Hurunui District Council has designated, so check before you stop.

How do you book a ride?

The Hanmer Springs jet boat tours page shows who runs which ride, how long each takes and where it leaves from, which helps when planning parking.

Where does the trip go next?

Over the Lewis Pass to the West Coast, or on the inland road to Kaikōura. See Kaikōura and the Christchurch, Hanmer and Kaikōura loop.

Compare campervan and motorhome hire at Christchurch Airport

Frequently Asked Questions