ADRENALINE · NEW ZEALAND

The 15 Best Adrenaline Activities in New Zealand

32 tours  ·  from $59 a head

The country that commercialised the bungee has an unfair share of gorges, jet rivers and drop zones. These 15 are grouped by base town, priced per head, with the ones that can be stacked into a single day flagged.

Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Ride in Queenstown - From Duke Street to the river base
Adrenaline Activities, Jet Boat Rides, Jet Boat Rides in New Zealand, New Zealand Adrenaline Activities, Queenstown Adrenaline Activities, Tour Reviews

Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Ride in Queenstown

1.Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Ride in Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,540 reviews · from $113Our pick

Take a high-speed Shotover Jet ride through narrow Queenstown canyons, over shallow rapids, and around full 360-degree spins. Your driver supplies local stories and plenty of close canyon action. The small-group boat carries up to 12 people in normal operation, with children from age five meeting the height rules. Shuttle service from central Queenstown is available.

“Loved the jet boat ride. The scenery is gorgeous, speed and turns make your heart thump and our driver Joe was funny and friendly. Didn’t even get wet. Highly recommend for everyone.”

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Queenstown: Shotover River and Kawarau River Jet Boat Ride - Crossing Lake Wakatipu at speed
Adrenaline Activities, Jet Boat Rides, Jet Boat Rides in New Zealand, New Zealand Adrenaline Activities, Queenstown Adrenaline Activities, Tour Reviews

Queenstown: Shotover River and Kawarau River Jet Boat Ride

2.Shotover River and Kawarau River Jet Boat Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,682 reviews · 1 hour · from $89

KJet takes you from Queenstown’s Main Town Pier across Lake Wakatipu, then up the Kawarau and Shotover rivers at speeds of up to 95 km/h. Expect about 40 to 45 kilometers of fast turns, spray, and 360-degree spins. Guides such as Puni, Sam, Reuben, Charles, and Jack add commentary and keep the ride feeling controlled.

“Great location easy for visitors, guide was great and funny. Thrilling ride while getting to see magical scenery!!! Would recommend”

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Waikato River Jet Boat Ride from Taupo - Entering the rapids and narrow canyon
Adrenaline Activities, Jet Boat Rides, Jet Boat Rides in New Zealand, New Zealand Adrenaline Activities, Tour Reviews

Waikato River Jet Boat Ride from Taupo

3.Waikato River Jet Boat Ride from Taupo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,441 reviews · from $89

Join Rapids Jet at Aratiatia Scenic Reserve for a 35-minute Waikato River blast. Your guide pilots a boat carrying up to 11 people through Nga Awa Purua rapids, narrow canyons, and fast spins, with commentary on local wildlife, history, and film locations. Jacob, Shannon, and Taylah are among the guides praised for their skill and humor.

“Easy peasy fun & fast thrill ride. Capt. Shannon made it all worthwhile. Seemed that we did a bit more time than what the description said.”

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Queenstown: Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Experience - From Queenstown to the canyon base
Adrenaline Activities, Jet Boat Rides, Jet Boat Rides in New Zealand, New Zealand Adrenaline Activities, Queenstown Adrenaline Activities, Tour Reviews

Queenstown: Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Experience

4.Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,203 reviews · 25 - 90 minutes · from $107

Join Shotover Jet for a 25-minute high-speed ride through the Shotover Canyons, less than 10 minutes from Queenstown. Your English-speaking driver handles rapids, tight rock walls, and famous 360-degree spins while sharing local history, geology, and Maori culture. Add the shuttle if you do not want to drive.

“First time to try this, and it was absolutely worth the money! The driver was very professional and humorous, and he made our experience even more fun. I would definitely recommend this activity!”

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Taupō: Huka Falls 30-Minute Jet Boat Experience - Racing along the Waikato River
Adrenaline Activities, Jet Boat Rides, Jet Boat Rides in New Zealand, New Zealand Adrenaline Activities, Tour Reviews

Taupō: Huka Falls 30-Minute Jet Boat Experience

5.Huka Falls 30-Minute Jet Boat Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 759 reviews · 30 min · from $89

Ride with Hukafalls Jet from Wairakei Tourist Park along the Waikato River to the base of Huka Falls. Your English-speaking driver, often guides such as Scott, Ricky, Chopper, or Tee, combines speeds up to 80 km/h, 360-degree spins, local commentary, and close water-level views. Expect a thrilling, very wet half-hour.

“Highly recommend!!! It’s even more exciting than I expected, huka falls is definitely worth watching it from that close.”

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From Queenstown: Skippers Canyon Jet Boat Ride - Canyon viewpoints turn the transfer into sightseeing
Adrenaline Activities, Jet Boat Rides, Jet Boat Rides in New Zealand, New Zealand Adrenaline Activities, Queenstown Adrenaline Activities, Tour Reviews

From Queenstown: Skippers Canyon Jet Boat Ride

6.Skippers Canyon Jet Boat Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 699 reviews · 3 hours · from $118

You’ll travel from Queenstown with a guide such as Cal, Willy, or Dan along the narrow Skippers Road, stopping for canyon views before a 30-minute jet boat ride. Expect tight turns, speeds above 80 kmh, 360-degree spins, gold-mining stories, and a scenic rest stop near Pipeline Bungy.

“The route is stunning, the instruction is excellent and interesting, the guide delivers the instruction with humor, the cruise itself is full of adrenaline and great fun, an excellent activity”

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Jet Boat Journey through Fiordland National Park - Pure Wilderness - Starting at Te Anau’s lakefront
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Jet Boat Journey through Fiordland National Park – Pure Wilderness

7.Jet Boat Journey through Fiordland National Park – Pure Wilderness

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 678 reviews · from $127

From Te Anau, Fiordland Jet Boat takes you along the Upper Waiau River to Lake Manapouri in a small boat carrying up to 11 people. Expect high-speed runs, 360-degree spins, Lord of the Rings film sites, local stories, native birds, and a short forest walk. Warm gear, spray coats, and life jackets are supplied.

“Great experience on the jet boat along the Waiau River and onto Lake Manapouri! Such good fun - in particular the 360s! Very informative guide and driver told us so much interesting information about the river, the lake and what we saw on the walk. Wouldn’t hesitate to recommend!”

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Hukafalls Jet Boat Ride in Taupo - The Route to the Base of Huka Falls
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Hukafalls Jet Boat Ride in Taupo

8.Hukafalls Jet Boat Ride in Taupo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 658 reviews · from $94

Take a 30-minute jet boat ride from 200 Karetoto Road in Taupō along the Waikato River to the base of Huka Falls. Your driver-guide handles fast turns, power brakes, and 360-degree spins while sharing facts about the river and falls. You will get unusually close to the water and should bring warm clothes, a rain layer, and a change of clothing.

“Absolutely amazing, the driver was pretty cool too, got absolutely soaked, just an awesome experience”

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KJet Queenstown Jet Boat Ride on the Kawarau and Shotover Rivers - The Shotover River is the most active section
Adrenaline Activities, Jet Boat Rides, Jet Boat Rides in New Zealand, New Zealand Adrenaline Activities, Queenstown Adrenaline Activities, Tour Reviews

KJet Queenstown Jet Boat Ride on the Kawarau and Shotover Rivers

9.KJet Queenstown Jet Boat Ride on the Kawarau and Shotover Rivers

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 590 reviews · from $92

Start at Queenstown’s Main Town Pier for a one-hour KJet ride across Lake Wakatipu, along the Kawarau River, and through the shallow Shotover River. Expect speeds up to 95 km/h, sharp turns, and 360-degree spins led by a trained driver. You may get wet, so bring a warm waterproof layer, sunglasses, and secure footwear.

“Bring jacket and sunglasses to enjoy a blink free experience. The boats are very fast and fun to be in.”

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Dart River Jet Boat and Wilderness Experience - What the Dart River jet boat ride feels like
Adrenaline Activities, Jet Boat Rides, Jet Boat Rides in New Zealand, National Parks, New Zealand Adrenaline Activities, Queenstown Adrenaline Activities, Tour Reviews

Dart River Jet Boat and Wilderness Experience

10.Dart River Jet Boat and Wilderness Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 531 reviews · from $190

Travel from Queenstown to Glenorchy, then take a jet boat through Mt Aspiring National Park on the glacier-fed Dart River. Your guide handles shallow channels, sharp turns, and 360-degree spins while explaining native plants, wildlife, Māori stories, and pioneer life. Guides such as Jordan, Pedro, Dean, and John have earned praise for their calm driving and lively commentary.

“Our guide was awesome very friendly and knowledgeable. Alkasy kept us informed on what was happening”

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Queenstown: Half-Day Canyoning Adventure - Walking through the beech forest
Adrenaline Activities, Canyoning Tours, Canyoning Tours in New Zealand, Half-Day, New Zealand Adrenaline Activities, Queenstown Adrenaline Activities, Tour Reviews

Queenstown Half-Day Canyoning Adventure

11.Queenstown Half-Day Canyoning Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 420 reviews · from $154

Join Canyon Explorers for a four-hour Queenstown canyoning trip with expert guides such as Jay, Lorna, Josh, and Riley. Walk through beech forest, then zip line, rappel waterfalls, slide through chutes, and float through natural pools. Gear, transport, hot showers, and light refreshments are included.

“Had the best time canyoning in Queenstown. Canyon explorers were so fun and right there every step of the way to make the experience memorable! Thanks for such a fun day!”

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Dart River Canoe and Jet Boat Experience from Queenstown - Getting ready at Dart River Adventures
Adrenaline Activities, Canoes & Kayaks, Jet Boat Rides, Jet Boat Rides in New Zealand, New Zealand Adrenaline Activities, Queenstown Adrenaline Activities, Tour Reviews

Dart River Canoe and Jet Boat Experience from Queenstown

12.Dart River Canoe and Jet Boat Experience from Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 342 reviews · from $273

Travel from Queenstown to Glenorchy, then race 30 kilometers upriver by jet boat before paddling a funyak through Mt Aspiring National Park. Guides such as Rob, JJ, Nikki, and Ella lead the trip, with gear, picnic lunch, and return transport included. Expect spectacular scenery, easy paddling in places, and some hands-on work in shallow water.

“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!”

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Zorb Inflatable Ball Ride from Mount Ngongotaha in New Zealand - What happens when you arrive at Mount Ngongotaha
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Zorb Inflatable Ball Ride from Mount Ngongotaha in New Zealand

13.Zorb Inflatable Ball Ride from Mount Ngongotaha in New Zealand

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 322 reviews · from $58Best value

At ZORB Rotorua, you launch into a giant inflatable ball and roll down Mount Ngongotaha on two of four tracks, including the long zig-zag Sidewinder and fast Straight Track. The ride is wet, silly, and surprisingly smooth. Swimwear, a towel, and a little courage are essential. Hot tubs and a sauna are included.

“Something different and lots of fun for kids to do and loved watching them. Well organised and simple to get to location”

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Small Group Jet Boat Adventure on the Clutha River from Wanaka - What the 90-minute ride feels like
Adrenaline Activities, Jet Boat Rides, Jet Boat Rides in New Zealand, New Zealand Adrenaline Activities, Tour Reviews, Wanaka Adrenaline Activities

Small Group Jet Boat Adventure on the Clutha River from Wanaka

14.Small Group Jet Boat Adventure on the Clutha River from Wanaka

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 302 reviews · from $98

Join Go Jets Wanaka for a 90-minute jet boat ride on the Clutha River. With Pat or another experienced host at the wheel, you will get fast turns, 360 spins, scenic photo stops, and stories about the river, gold mining, and the Upper Clutha Valley. The group is capped at nine people.

“Amazing Ride! We enjoyed the Jet boat ride with Pat, he is so knowledgeable and he absoblutely loves nature! Explaning to us about the Clutha river, activities around the river, history and so much more! And not forgetting the twists and turns Read more”

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Jet Boat and Wilderness Walk Tour from Wanaka - What the jet boat ride feels like
Adrenaline Activities, Jet Boat Rides, Jet Boat Rides in New Zealand, National Parks, New Zealand Adrenaline Activities, Tour Reviews, Tours, Wanaka Adrenaline Activities

Jet Boat and Wilderness Walk Tour from Wanaka

15.Jet Boat and Wilderness Walk Tour from Wanaka

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 259 reviews · from $215

Set out from Wanaka with Wanaka River Journeys for a four-hour trip into the Matukituki Valley. You’ll ride a jet boat through shallow river braids, enjoy spins and mountain views, then take a 50-minute guided walk through beech forest to waterfalls and glacier-fed streams. Guides such as Ben and James add local insight along the way.

“Ben is a very knowledgable and gifted skipper. You are in for a real treat on this trip!!!! We had a blast with beautiful scenery, great jet boat ride and walk in a serene beech forest. Would definitely do this again when in Wanaka!”

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Just added to New Zealand Adrenaline Activities

★ 4.8Nevis Canyon Swing – 70m Free-Fall!From $19490 reviews
★ 4.5Chairlift Sightseeing Pass at the Christchurch Adventure ParkFrom $1821 reviews
★ 4.5Christchurch Sightseeing with Jet BoatingFrom $14829 reviews
★ 4.5Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Jet Boat Day Trip from ChristchurchFrom $14516 reviews
★ 4.4Scenic Chairlift Ride at Christchurch Adventure ParkFrom $1717 reviews
★ 5.0Half-Day Canyoning in Gibbston Valley from QueenstownFrom $15493 reviews
★ 4.7Gibbston Valley Half-Day Canyoning AdventureFrom $11766 reviews
★ 5.0Fiordland Jet Boat and Biking Combo from Te AnauFrom $158133 reviews
★ 4.9Jet Boat Ride on Clutha RiverFrom $83143 reviews
★ 4.8Kawarau River Rafting and Jet Boat RideFrom $190145 reviews
★ 4.8Dart River Canoe & Jet Boat Day TripFrom $256148 reviews

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