Jet Boating in Queenstown. Queenstown New Zealand information, NZ tourism, travel, vacation and holiday information.

Jet Boating

The "waterjet" was originally built by Bill Hamilton, later and more formally know as Sir Charles William Feilden Hamilton, in 1954. The boat was designed to navigate the narrow and shallow rivers in the Queenstown area, such as the Shotover and Kawarau rivers. In 1960, Kawarau Jet became the first commercial jetboat company in the world, and is still running today, along with Shotover Jet, and other small companies.

As they propel themselves, the front lifts from the water, so there is little drag on the boat. For this reason, jetboats can run in less than 30cm of water, and are highly maneuverable at extreme speeds, amounting to an exhilarating, torque-filled ride, through narrow gorges and rivers. The jetboat can perform some very scary moves, such as the "Hamilton Turn", where the jetboat spins 180 degrees and stops within a body length of the boat.


This week's featured Jet Boating activities in Queenstown are:

Featured Jet Boating Activities

Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Ride from Queenstown

Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Ride from Queenstown

Jet Boating - Queenstown - Starting from $129.00 per person

Feel a rush of adrenaline as you skim the surface of the Shotover River by jet boat! Hold on tight as you do fishtail turns and 360-degree spins at high speeds through the narrow canyon walls. This ultimate heart-pumping experience is one you will never forget! More...

Dart River Jet Boat Ride and 4WD Wilderness Safari from Queenstown

Dart River Jet Boat Ride and 4WD Wilderness Safari from Queenstown

Jet Boating - Queenstown - Starting from $219.00 per person

Journey deep into the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Mt Aspiring National Park on this wilderness adventure from Queenstown. On this 6-hour tour, combine the thrill of an exhilarating jet-boat ride down the Dart River with a guided forest walk and a back-country 4WD safari. Surrounded by awe-inspiring peaks and mysterious hidden valleys, this is an area of exceptional natural beauty. Your expert guide will bring to life the variety of landscapes, vegetation and wildlife within this unique area,... More...

Skippers Canyon and Shotover River Jet Boat Adventure

Skippers Canyon and Shotover River Jet Boat Adventure

Jet Boating - Queenstown - Starting from $129.00 per person

Just north of Queenstown, you can experience the ride of your life as you twist and turn down the Shotover River and through Skippers Canyon at high speeds. Your blood will be pumping as your jet boat maneuvers through an obstacle course of sheer cliffs and overhanging walls, fishtailing, power braking and doing 360-degree spins. Not for the faint-hearted, this is the ultimate, pure-adrenaline jet boat ride. More...

Half-day Skippers Canyon Historical Tour with Jet Boat Ride

Half-day Skippers Canyon Historical Tour with Jet Boat Ride

Jet Boating - Queenstown - Starting from $189.00 per person

Get the best of both New Zealand’s history and great outdoors on this unique tour from Queenstown that explores the history and natural beauty of Skippers Canyon. Experience a rush of adrenaline and the thrill of high-speed jet boating down the Shotover River; discover the gold rush history of Skippers Canyon over a cup of billy tea with a 5th-generation local; visit the family museum; and try your luck panning for gold.
 More...


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