Dart River 'Funyak' Canoe plus Jet Boat Tour from Queenstown: A Day-long Adventure
4.8
260 Ratings
Glenorchy
Embark on an exhilarating adventure in Mount Aspiring National Park with the Dart River Funyak Canoe and Jet Boat Tour. No experience necessary!
Duration:
8 hours, 15 minutes
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
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Dart River Adventures - Discover an untouched world and connect with nature on this action-packed full day journey deep into the heart of Mt Aspiring National Park. If you do only one activity in Queenstown. This is it.
Experience the exhilaration of a jet boat ride combined with a leisurely downstream float in our easy to use Funyaks (inflatable kayaks), a unique way to explore hidden side streams and a dramatic chasm inaccessible by other means. Enjoy the peace and tranquility of this untouched world at your own pace and enjoy a picnic lunch before heading through Paradise on a 4WD bus journey back to Glenorchy.
*No experience required
A unique journey combining kayaking with jet boating, nature, and adventure. Includes lunch! An hour of wilderness jet boating and spectacular scenery across the braided, glacier-fed Dart River to your Funyak launch site
Professional, friendly guides take you on an inspiring adventure as you gently drift back downstream in your own Funyak. Explore hidden side-streams, rockpools and a dramatic chasm.
Learn about the Pounamu (Greenstone) that made the Dart River a key trading route for our Nga-i Tahu ancestors, the early Ma-ori of the area.
What's Included
- Exhilarating jet boat ride
- Scenic canoe tour
- Expert guidance from a professional guide
- Delicious lunch included
- Convenient round-trip transport from Queenstown
- All equipment provided: lifejacket, wetsuits, booties, fleece, dry bag
- Refreshments available: soft drinks, tea, and coffee
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
Additional Information
Discover the untamed beauty of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Mount Aspiring National Park on this full-day Dart River ‘funyak’ (inflatable canoe) and jet boat tour from Queenstown! Travel by coach to Glenorchy, where your adventure begins, and then hop aboard a jet boat and ride up the picturesque Dart River. Speeding through a landscape of outstanding natural beauty, your tour passes the ‘Middle-earth’ countryside that featured in the popular ‘The Lord of the Rings’ trilogy. In a secluded stretch of the river, swap the boat for your own easy-to-handle funyak and then paddle behind your attentive guide before stopping for a picnic lunch in the great outdoors!
No previous canoeing experience is required on this tour, and your guide will paddle at a leisurely pace to suit the group.
- Minimum height is 3.3 feet (1 meter)
- Minimum age is 5 years
- Please dress appropriately: bring swimwear, a towel and warm clothes
- Please bring sunscreen and insect repellent
Location
Dart River Adventures
Mull Street
If you make your own way to the Dart River base in Glenorchy, please check-in with our team 15 minutes prior to departure time (at 9.15am)
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.8
(260 Ratings)
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Aaron_w
Apr 8, 2024
A GREAT day - A great day! Cool jet boat, wonderful scenery, GREAT staff, and lunch on the river. Just perfect. We did over 12 activities (helicopters, Hobbits, Dinners, rafting over waterfalls etc etc...) on our trip to New Zealand, and this was the highlight...
Review provided by Viator
Kcb48
Apr 8, 2024
Amazing Experience! - This was so fun, would absolutely recommend. Caleb was our guide and he was so friendly, he really made it a great day. The jet boat ride is really fun and just the right amount of speed, spins and scenery. We loved our day on the Dart River!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jet352
Mar 28, 2024
A wonderful experience! - This was GREAT! Had so much fun! Amber (?) was our driver and fun yak guide and was awesome. The skies cleared by mid day and the water was the perfect depth to allow us access to the chasm and push us along downstream. The lunch was amazing and had something for everyone! I even jumped into the pool area by the chasm to experience the frigid cold water. What a wonderful experience!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Joanne_y
Mar 25, 2024
Great trip - Great scenery and tour guides. Funyaking was special, floating down the glacier streams with jagged mountains on both sides. Highly recommended
Review provided by Viator
Daniel_g
Mar 24, 2024
Fast, fun and beautiful scenery. - What an experience. The day started with fast fun on the jet boat before getting to surround ourselves in the beautiful NZ landscape. The paddle into the chasm was my favourite NZ experience - hidden gem.
Review provided by Viator
Knefknok
Mar 23, 2024
Very cool - This was a very cool excursion. First gather at the meeting point and then take the bus on a beautiful road. You will receive clothing at base camp. Another short ride on the bus to go to the boats. I don't know how many more could fit in a boat, but unfortunately we got in last and could no longer sit next to each other (this was the only sad thing about this day). I spent an hour in the boat, think, very cool. I'm not really into this kind of thing though, I get nauseous easily. In itself it went fine, but I thought this was enough. When you arrive at the kayak you will receive some explanation, as far as you can follow it (lots of sand flies). We have no experience with kayaking and I think everyone should be able to do this. It is not a whitewater course, calm current and sometimes a little faster. You may have to walk a bit because the water is too low. Beautiful area for kayaking. Lunch was also great.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Melissa_t
Mar 11, 2024
Very fun day - This was a very active and fun day. The scenery is amazing. The jet boat is very fun and not early as scary as I thought it would be. Our driver was very experienced and we felt very safe. The guides for the funyak were super helpful and made that part very fun too. I was surprised how long the funyak part was - it was very pleasant.
Review provided by Viator
Helen_l
Mar 9, 2024
Great day on the river! - This was probably my favorite thing we did in Queenstown! The jet boat ride upstream was a blast, and kayaking back down gave us a chance to see some gorgeous side canyons. Lunch was amazing and the guides were helpful, fun and professional. We felt safe at all times, even those of us who are inexperienced paddlers. The sandflies are annoying - bring bug spray - but overall a spectacular we won’t forget!
Review provided by Viator
Chelsea_c
Mar 2, 2024
Top Notch Trip - We had an amazing trip! All of the staff were upbeat and knowledgeable! Ellie and JJ were an absolute blast. The sand flies were a pest but not enough to make the trip bad. Our favorite park was kayaking into the chasm and taking a dip in the crystal clear waters before lunch. Highly recommend this duo trip of jet boat and funyak to experience all the Dart river has to offer!
Review provided by Viator
P6254pdnickg
Feb 27, 2024
FUNyaks - We booked the jet boat and funyaks experience for February 2024. It was a fantastic experience overall - great scenery, balance of adventure/relaxation, and staff. If given the chance, make sure you cliff jump near the canyon!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
