SOUTHERN LAKES / THE EXPERIENCE
Packraft Wanaka
BEFORE YOU GO
Your day, at a glance.
- Duration
- 7 h 18 min
- Group size
- Up to 14 people
- Guide
- English
- Ages
- 10 and over
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Our take
This is a full day on the Matukituki River in Mount Aspiring National Park. The listing gives about 7 hours 15 minutes from 8:15am outside the Wanaka i-SITE, a courtesy shuttle, a walk to a waterfall, then paddling two person packrafts after a lesson in the basics. Wetsuits, booties, spray jackets, helmets, photos and a picnic lunch with snacks are included. Groups are up to 14.
Our Wanaka tours comparison lists it as the adventure day for confident swimmers, with about 57 reviews close to 5. Everyone must be able to swim, and children aged 4 to 14 need an adult over 18 with them. The listing's web address mentions a jet boat, but neither its inclusions nor its itinerary do, so treat it as packrafting only. No traveller video of this trip had captions.
Good for
- Swimmers who want a full day on a national park river
- Families with children 4 and up who can swim
Think twice if
- Anyone in your group can't swim
- You were hoping for a jet boat ride
Written by Southern Lakes Tours from the listing, traveller reviews and the videos behind our comparison pages. Checked November 2026. How we review tours.
From the operator
This is an adventure like no other, paddling one of New Zealand’s most spectacular mountain rivers in our fun, inflatable packrafts.
Start your action packed day with a scenic shuttle drive beneath the towering mountains, glaciers and waterfalls of the Matukituki Valley.
After refreshments its gear-on, safety brief and paddle tuition before heading down-river on our stable and strong packrafts. Ride the wave trains, paddle into calm eddies and float with the river flow. Enjoy a picnic lunch on the river bank and play in turquoise swimming holes as you continue paddling down river. By the time the day is done your guide will have you paddling like a pro.
You'll be accompanied by one of our friendly 'shuttle support' dogs on the drive, please let us know if this might be an issue for you and we can arrange otherwise.
From the listing by Wanaka River Journeys on Viator.
The tour, stop by stop
- Pickup/dropoff, run through trip details and risk disclosure About 10 min.
- Take the shuttle deep into the towering mountains with a stop on the way for a short walk to Wishbone Falls. After a short break it's straight into the wetsuit to packraft down the river with views of glaciers, ancient beech forest and the unique wildlife of the braided riverbed. About 300 min.
What's included
- Photos
- Picnic lunch and snacks (please provide dietary requirements)
- Courtesy shuttle
- All guests must be able to swim
- Packrafting gear (wetsuits, booties, spray jackets, helmets)
Meeting point
Outside of the Wanaka i-SITE (information centre) 8:15am
Checking in
- Not recommended for participants with heart complaints or other serious medical conditions
- Not recommended for participants with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant women
Where it ends
Outside of the Wanaka i-SITE (information centre) 8:15am
Your Viator voucher confirms the exact spot and time.
Good to know
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- All children (4-14yrs) must be accompanied by an adult over 18
- Clients Must be able to swim
- Please supply weight, height, shoe size, dietary requirements and level of water confidence (high/med/low)
- Clients must read our Terms, Conditions & Risk Disclosure prior to booking (Please go to our website www.wanakariverjourneys.co.nz and click on the link at the bottom of the home page)
- Please talk to us if you are over 130kg to ensure we have the right size gear for you
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
How refunds and weather cancellations work is on our booking help page.
How it compares
We compare this tour with the other options on our wanaka tours page, with what each one includes and where it leaves from. How we choose tours.
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