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The Shotover Jet Queenstown is one of those iconic New Zealand activities that you will talk about for years to come. For the perfect blend of adrenaline, scenery, and iconic New Zealand innovation, this is hard to beat.
This high-speed jet boat experience through the narrow Shotover River Canyons is one of Queenstown’s signature thrills, and for good reason. It’s exhilarating, expertly run, and set in some of the South Island’s most dramatic river landscapes, and it's one of our all-time favourites.
Since the first single engine jetboat roared along the Shotover River way back in 1965, almost 5 million lucky manuhiri (visitors) have experienced this awesome adventure. These days, a fleet of twin engine jetboats offer an even more thrilling adventure
Where it is and how to get there
Shotover Jet operates from Beach 3, Arthurs Point, just a
short 10-minute drive from central Queenstown. The base sits right on the river
below the historic Arthurs Point bridge, with ample parking and a welcoming
check-in area.
Getting there is easy whether you self-drive or arrange transport. Transfers from central Queenstown are often available at set times—check the current schedule when you book.
Either way, the journey itself hints at what’s to come, as the road winds past schist cliffs and onto a terrace above the turquoise Shotover River. As you approach, wind your car windows down, and you will probably hear the jetboat before you see it.
So what's the ride like?
In a word: unforgettable. The Shotover Jet is a
purpose-built, shallow-draft jet boat powered by waterjets rather than
propellers—an ingenious New Zealand invention that allows it to skim over as
little as 10 centimeters of water. On the river, that translates to astonishing
maneuverability and speed. You’ll rocket up the canyon at up to around 85 km/h,
banking smoothly through tight bends and skimming jaw-droppingly close to rock
walls. And then come the famous 360-degree spins—full pirouettes that send up
fans of spray and have everyone grinning from ear to ear.
Your driver will signal before each spin, and
you’ll get a clear safety briefing before you board. The ride itself is
typically around 25 minutes on the water, with a total experience time of about
an hour to allow for check-in, gearing up, and photos. Every driver is highly
trained, and it shows: these are consummate professionals who know the canyon
intimately and keep you safe while delivering maximum fun.
Why it’s special
Plenty of towns in New Zealand offer jet
boating, but Shotover Jet is unique. It has exclusive rights to operate within
the Shotover River Canyons, a narrow, twisting corridor that amplifies your sense of speed and sound, and heightens the drama. The contrast between the precision of
the driving and the rawness of the canyon setting is part of the magic. It’s
also a true Queenstown original—an experience that captures the region’s
pioneering spirit, from early gold miners to modern-day innovators.
There’s history in the spray, too. The Shotover
River was once one of the world’s richest gold-bearing rivers. Today, you’ll
charge past relics of that era and under the striking Arthurs Point bridge,
following a course shaped by time and seasonal flows. It’s an adrenaline
experience with a strong sense of place.
Is the scenery any good?
Even before the boat surges forward, the scene
is postcard-worthy. The water is a brilliant blue-green, colored by fine
glacial silt. The canyon walls rise in ledges and ribs of grey schist, draped
in tussock and punctuated by hardy native shrubs. Light glances off the rock
faces, and in the distance, you’ll catch glimpses of rugged peaks. In summer,
the riverbanks glow gold and green; in autumn, poplars and willows turn a rich
yellow; in winter, the surrounding mountains often wear a dusting of snow that
makes the water look even more vivid.
On the boat, those views tighten and intensify.
Expect sharp bends where the river narrows, long straightaways where the driver
opens up the throttle, and dramatic sections where the boat threads a path just
meters from the canyon walls. It’s visceral, beautiful, and constantly changing
with the light and the season.
Does it suit everyone?
Shotover Jet is a crowd-pleaser for families,
couples, solo travelers, and groups. The thrills are big, but the experience is
carefully managed and polished, with a safety-first approach. Children are
welcome as long as they meet the minimum height requirement (100cm or around 3ft 3in, but may be increased to 120cm depending on water conditions). There’s no
maximum age—many grandparents (like us) love it, too. If you’re pregnant or have back,
neck, or serious heart conditions, this may not be the right activity; the team
can advise.
What to wear and bring
You’ll be provided with a life jacket and a
spray coat. In winter or cooler months, wear warm layers, including a tight fitting hat/beanie and
gloves, as it can be cold as speeds increase; in summer, a light jacket and sunglasses are handy. Closed-toe shoes
are best year-round. You should expect some spray, so it’s smart to dress
accordingly. Secure storage is available at the base for bags and valuables—you
won’t want to bring loose items on the boat. For safety and water damage
reasons, handheld cameras and phones are not permitted onboard. Head mounted hands free go-pro cameras are acceptable. On-ride photos and video are taken for purchase afterwards.
Some tips to get the most from your Shotover Jet Queenstown experience
A note on safety and sustainability
Safety is paramount. You’ll receive a thorough
briefing and clear instructions on how to hold on and brace for spins. The
drivers are seasoned professionals who read the river constantly. The operation
is owned by Ngāi Tahu Tourism, part of the South Island iwi Ngāi Tahu, and
there’s a strong sense of kaitiakitanga—guardianship of land and water—woven
through the experience. While the boats are powerful machines, the team cares
deeply about the health of the river and works within strict environmental and
safety standards.
How it fits into your Queenstown stay
Queenstown is a buffet of adventure, and the Shotover Jet Queenstown is a standout activity that leaves you buzzing and doesn’t eat up your whole day. It’s
perfect on arrival day to shake off jet lag, or as a mid-trip highlight between
hikes, wine tasting, and other activities. Because the base is so close to
town, it’s easy to slot into any itinerary.
Practicalities at a glance
Why you’ll talk about the Shotover Jet Queenstown long after you’ve dried
off
There’s a particular kind of laughter that only
happens when you’re having pure, uncomplicated fun—the kind that bubbles up as
water sprays your cheeks and the canyon walls blur, then turns to whoops as the
boat spins and accelerates again. That’s the Shotover Jet Queenstown in a nutshell:
high-heart-rate joy delivered with precision, in a place that could only be New
Zealand.
You’ll leave with wind-tangled hair, a camera
roll full of post-ride grins, and that fizzy, just-did-something-cool feeling.
And when friends ask what Queenstown was like, you’ll probably say something
like this: It looked like a postcard, it felt like an adventure, and for 25
minutes, the river and the canyon and the red boat were the entire world.
That’s the magic of the Shotover Jet.
Book your Shotover Jet experience now