Dart River Adventures

Dart River Adventures runs trips into the wilderness of the Dart River, which flows into the head of Lake Wakatipu at Glenorchy, about 45 kilometres from Queenstown. The river runs through Mount Aspiring National Park and the Te Wāhipounamu South West New Zealand World Heritage Area. The company is part of Ngāi Tahu Tourism, and Ngāi Tahu, the iwi of the area, guides its vision.

The Wilderness Jet is a two-hour jet boat trip with morning and afternoon departures, which the company describes as the longest jet boat ride in the region. The boats seat 14 or 15 passengers, can reach 90 kilometres an hour and can operate in water as shallow as ten centimetres. The full-day Funyaks experience combines a jet boat ride upriver with a paddle back down in inflatable kayaks, a wilderness picnic lunch and return transport between Queenstown and Glenorchy, although you can also drive yourself to Glenorchy at the same price.

Both trips have some requirements. The minimum age is three for the jet boat and five for the Funyaks, children must be over one metre tall, rising to 1.2 metres in some river conditions, and children must be with a paying adult. There is no weight limit, but life jackets go up to size 2XL. Pregnant guests cannot ride the jet boat. For the Funyaks, you should be comfortable in water, able to swim and reasonably fit, though no canoeing experience is needed; wetsuits, booties, fleeces and dry bags are provided, and you can expect to get wet up to the knees.

Dress in warm layers with a waterproof jacket, sturdy footwear and sunglasses, adding a hat and gloves in winter and sunscreen and insect repellent in summer. Lunch is not included on the Wilderness Jet, but you can bring a small bag. Free lockers and toilets are at the Glenorchy base, and parking is limited, with public car parks a short walk away.

Trips only run when weather and river conditions are safe, and not in fog or torrential rain. Direct bookings cancelled more than 24 hours ahead are fully refunded, as are trips cancelled by the operator. The tours suit nature lovers and families with young children who want a jet boat trip with a wilderness setting.