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Jet boat on the Dart River

Dart River Wilderness Safari

Guests are collected from a convenient pick-up point and driven to the tranquil village of Glenorchy, on the northern tip of Lake Wakatipu. Here you board the Dart River jet-boat on a white-knuckle ride for an hour and a half up the narrow, meandering waterway, into real wilderness country. Jet boats are a New Zealand design which allow high speed travel up extremely shallow glacial riverbeds, and a by-product of this design feature is that they are able to put on the brakes suddenly which is hugely exciting.

Once you have disembarked from the boat, take a short guided walk on some picturesque forest tracks, where your knowledgeable guide will enliven your walk with an informative and entertaining commentary about the ancient native beech forest, the unique flora and fauna, as well as the fascinating Māori and colonial history of the area. Finally, you return to Glenorchy by 4x4 coach via a scenic back-road route, while hearing stories about the surrounding countryside and stopping to view scenery that has formed the epic backdrop for many international films, including The Lord of the Rings.

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who's been there
Audley Travel specialist Barbara

Start planning your tailor-made trip by contacting one of our New Zealand specialists

Other experiences in Queenstown

These activities are designed to give you the most authentic experiences around where you're staying. We work with local guides, who use their knowledge and often a resident's eye to show you the main sights and more out-of-the-way attractions. Our specialists can suggest tours and activities that will introduce you to the local ways of life.

  • 4x4 Safari of Scenes
    Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown

    4x4 Safari of Scenes

    4x4 Safari of Scenes

    The perfect tour for those who want the thrills of an off-road adventure but also want to discover exciting 'Lord of the Rings' film locations.

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  • Routeburn Track — 3 Days
    Lake Mackenzie, Routeburn Track

    Routeburn Track — 3 Days

    Routeburn Track — 3 Days

    Climb a well-graded track to Key Summit, where you can sit among the alpine plants and partake in 'The Annual General Meeting of the Mountains'. You then descend to Lake Howden before gradually climbing through lush silver beech forest to the base of Earland Falls: quite a sight in wet weather!

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  • Shotover River Jet Boat
    Shotover River, Queenstown

    Shotover River Jet Boat

    Shotover River Jet Boat

    The Shotover Jet is an adrenaline fuelled jet boat trip through the Shotover Canyon, which towers over you on either side. Skim around crags and boulders and then enjoy the sensation as the boat spins around 360 degrees in its own length.

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  • TSS Earnslaw cruise to Walter Peak High Country Farm
    TSS Earnslaw, Queenstown

    TSS Earnslaw cruise to Walter Peak High Country Farm

    TSS Earnslaw cruise to Walter Peak High Country Farm

    Affectionately known as the 'Lady of the Lake', the TSS Earnslaw has been steaming the length of Lake Wakatipu since 1912. You can watch sheepdogs in action, see the shearing or even try your hand at wool spinning. After morning or afternoon tea you then steam back to Queenstown.

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Experience it for yourself

You can enjoy this activity as part of the suggested tours below, or we can weave it into a trip shaped entirely around you.