Jet Boating in Queenstown by Campervan: The Shotover, Kawarau and Dart Rivers

Quick summary: For campervan travellers, Queenstown is New Zealand’s jet boating capital, with rides to suit every taste. Canyon rides on the Shotover River skim past sheer rock walls at Arthurs Point, rides from the town waterfront race across Lake Wakatipu and up the Kawarau River, and wilderness trips on the Dart River from Glenorchy travel deep into Mount Aspiring National Park. Parking a campervan or motorhome in central Queenstown is difficult, so it pays to choose a ride with an easy base or use a shuttle.

At a glance
Shotover River	Canyon thrill rides at Arthurs Point, around 6 km from town
Kawarau River and Lake Wakatipu	Rides from the town waterfront
Dart River	Wilderness trips from Glenorchy, around 45 km away
Skippers Canyon	Jet boat trips in the remote upper Shotover, by tour
Parking	Limited in the town centre; easier at Arthurs Point and Glenorchy
Tours	Queenstown jet boat tours

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Which Queenstown jet boat ride should you choose?

Ride	Style	Best for
Shotover River canyons	Fast and close to the canyon walls, with spins	The classic thrill ride
Kawarau River and Lake Wakatipu	Lake and river ride from town	Easy access from the waterfront
Dart River	Wilderness trip into the national park	Scenery, longer trips and film locations
Skippers Canyon	Remote upper Shotover, with gold-rush history	Combining a ride with a 4WD tour

What is the Shotover River canyon ride like?

The Shotover River ride is New Zealand’s most famous jet boat experience. The boat races through the narrow canyons at Arthurs Point, skimming within metres of the rock walls, with 360-degree spins on the wider stretches. It’s short, intense and exhilarating, and the base has its own parking, making it the easiest Queenstown ride to reach in a campervan.

What is the Dart River trip like?

The Dart River flows from the glaciers of Mount Aspiring National Park into the head of Lake Wakatipu at Glenorchy. Jet boat trips travel up its wide, braided valley between snow-capped mountains and beech forest, in landscapes that appeared in The Lord of the Rings. It’s a longer, more scenic trip, best combined with a drive along the lake road to Glenorchy. See our sister site’s Lord of the Rings locations guide.

Where can you park the RV for a Queenstown jet boat ride?

• Arthurs Point, for the Shotover canyons, where the base has a car park.
• Glenorchy, for the Dart River, with parking in the township.
• The town centre, for waterfront rides, where parking for large vehicles is very limited; use a bus, shuttle or the free transfers some operators offer, and leave the vehicle at your holiday park.

Many travellers base themselves in Arrowtown or at a holiday park outside the centre. See our sister site’s Queenstown to Arrowtown routes.

What about Skippers Canyon?

Skippers Road is narrow, unsealed and commonly excluded by rental agreements, so jet boat trips in Skippers Canyon are combined with a 4WD tour from Queenstown. See our sister site’s Skippers Canyon guide.

Where can you stay?

Holiday parks in Queenstown, Frankton, Arthurs Point and Arrowtown. Freedom camping in a certified self-contained vehicle is limited to the sites Queenstown Lakes District Council has designated, so check before you stop.

How do you book a ride?

Check ride times and what’s included on the Queenstown jet boat tours page; in summer, the most popular departures fill a few days out.

Where does the trip go next?

To Te Anau and Fiordland, around 170 km, or over the Crown Range to Wānaka. See Te Anau and Wānaka.

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Frequently Asked Questions