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Otago Extreme sports & adrenaline

Our most recommended Otago Extreme sports & adrenaline

Queenstown: Shotover River and Kawarau River Jet Boat Ride

1. Queenstown: Shotover River and Kawarau River Jet Boat Ride

Get an adrenaline rush on a 1-hour jet boat ride, operated by the world’s first commercial jet boat company. Take in stunning views of the Remarkable Mountains and journey up 2 of the South Island’s most iconic rivers.  Depart from the heart of Queenstown, and climb aboard the big yellow jet boat at the Main Town Pier. Hold on tight as you accelerate across the water and feel the exhilaration of a high-powered twin-engine boat that powers across Lake Wakatipu. Experience the twists and spins as you enter the Kawarau River and race past rocks and under bridges at speeds of up to 95 kilometers per hour.  Grip the heated handrails and experience 360° spins while you speed up the shallow channels of the Shotover River. After 45 kilometers of pure adrenaline, return to the pier and see photos and videos from your trip.

From Queenstown: Milford Sound Full-Day Trip by Plane & Boat

2. From Queenstown: Milford Sound Full-Day Trip by Plane & Boat

Combine a flight and a cruise on Milford Sound on this excursion from Queenstown. Take in the area's outstanding natural beauty as you savor the sights from both air and water. Enjoy a pickup and transfer to the air hanger in Queenstown. Listen to informative commentary in English and marvel at the stunning views of lakes, mountains, and waterfalls on the 40-minute flight. Upon landing, transfer to the Milford Sound Boat Terminal. Board in Milford Sound and experience 2 hours onboard an intimate vessel with English commentary by your skipper, and complimentary tea and coffee. Cruise to the mouth of the Tasman Sea, while enjoying views of waterfalls and marine life like fur seals, dolphins, and penguins. Next, board your scenic flight back to Queenstown. Take a different flight path from your outbound flight as you admire the spectacular views of Fiordland National Park. After the 40-minute journey back to Queenstown, enjoy complimentary transfer back to your accommodation.

From Queenstown: Milford Sound Flight and Boat Cruise

3. From Queenstown: Milford Sound Flight and Boat Cruise

Enjoy an exclusive sightseeing tour to the very best locations in Queenstown and the South Island of New Zealand. Discover New Zealand’s magnificent fiords, native forests, and glaciers, as well as the island's stunning native birdlife, seals, penguins, and dolphins. Embark on a scenic flight and admire the views of the fiord below. Hear insightful commentary about the region and the wildlife that inhabit it from your pilot guide. Soar above the Southern Lakes, Tutoko Glacier, and the Milford Fiord. After, if time permits, take a bush walk with your pilot to the cruise departure point. Learn more about your surroundings as you pass through the dense forest. Continue your sightseeing adventure on a relaxing cruise and see the fiord from the water. After the cruise, make your way back to the plane. Take an alternative return route to see even more highlights, including the famous Southerland waterfalls, and New Zealand's longest lakes, Te Anau and Wakatipu.

Queenstown: Fear Factory Haunted House Admission Ticket

4. Queenstown: Fear Factory Haunted House Admission Ticket

Brave the terror that lies within the haunted hallways of the Old Lockhart Hotel. Make your way through the rooms packed with live actors and impressive special effects.  Be terrified with your group and see who can last the longest! If you decide you’ve had enough, scream ‘I Chicken Out’ and be added to the ever-growing Chicken Counter, which has more than 20,000 people listed.

Shotover River: Extreme Jet Boat Experience

5. Shotover River: Extreme Jet Boat Experience

Take on the ultimate jet boat experience on the Shotover River for a breathtaking ride through dramatic and narrow canyons, located less than a 10-minutes drive from Queenstown. A short drive from Queenstown will have you at the shores of the Shotover River. Meet your experienced guide and gear up for your high-speed jet boat ride. Hold on tight as the driver expertly navigates the jet boat over white-water rapids and squeezes through the narrow walls of the Shotover Canyon. Speed past rocky outcrops, skim around boulders, and zip through the dramatic and narrow canyons as its walls tower above you. After 25 thrilling minutes, return to the jet base and relax on the shuttle transfer back to Queenstown.

From Queenstown: Skippers Canyon Jet Boat Ride

6. From Queenstown: Skippers Canyon Jet Boat Ride

Experience unbeatable value as you are taken on a spectacular guided tour of Skippers Canyon followed by a thrilling jet boat ride through the narrowest canyons on the Shotover River. Begin with a guided drive into historic Skippers Canyon with on board commentary from knowledgeable drivers. You will be escorted into a land rich in gold mining history and stunning scenery via the infamous Skippers Road which was carved out of the vertical rock face by miners over 130 years ago. Once on the boat you will feel your adrenaline surge as you power deeper into Skippers Canyon through the most dramatic canyons on the Shotover River. The highly skilled jet boat drivers maneuver the boat just inches from the sheer canyon walls and keep the excitement levels high with speeds in excess of 80kmh and a series of full 360-degree spins. After the boat ride, head to the historic Pipeline Bungy area for a rest break and incredible views out over the canyon before making the 45min journey back to Queenstown.

Queenstown: Milford Sound Flight and Cruise

7. Queenstown: Milford Sound Flight and Cruise

Take flight a small luxury plane leaving Queenstown. Admire the awe-inspiring scenery from your very own window seat as you soar over Fiordland National Park, listening to the pilot's commentary. Landing at Milford Sound airport you will be escorted to the Cruise Terminal either by shuttle or 15 minute nature walk to meet your boat. Enjoy 2 hours of spectacular scenery and wildlife on the Gem of the Sound, learn all about the history of the area from the skipper as he skillfully pulls the boat underneath waterfalls and right up to the base of famous Mitre Peak. Your pilots will meet you off the cruise at the Terminal and take you back to the awaiting plane for your return to Queenstown. Your complimentary shuttle will drop you back to your hotel with plenty of time to enjoy the legendary dining scene.

Glacier Explorer Helicopter Flight from Queenstown

8. Glacier Explorer Helicopter Flight from Queenstown

Head west over the Queenstown basin and Paradise Valley into Mt. Aspiring National Park during this exhilirating glacier explorer helicopter flight from Queenstown. Enjoy an exhilarating flight past spectacular mountains and blue-green icefalls before landing on one of the many glaciers within the Forbes Mountains. Spend time taking photos before heading back toward Queenstown past hidden alpine lakes and the rich gold mining history of Skippers Canyon. Fly through landscapes that contain many stories of the natural and human history of New Zealand and the Southern Lakes. See how glaciers and the movement of the earth's crust formed the area's unique mountains and valleys.  Benefit from the service of the most experienced team of helicopter pilots in Queenstown. Learn from your highly experienced, well-known local pilots as they share their extensive knowledge of the area with you while showing you the best of New Zealand's amazing scenery.

Queenstown: 2-Hour Zipline Tour with 4-Lines

9. Queenstown: 2-Hour Zipline Tour with 4-Lines

The perfect starter to your adventure experience in Queenstown. Journey through native forest on four incredible ziplines with stunning views across Lake Wakatipu to the Remarkables mountain range. Make your way to the Skyline Gondola summit (gondola ticket is your own expense) to meet your experienced guides. Harness up and feel the wind in your face as you glide down the ziplines. The ziplines start low and slow and gradually build your confidence as they get progressively longer, higher and faster. Your experienced guides will launch and receive you at each tree deck, showing you fun tricks you can try. Enjoy their light-hearted, informative stories on local history, myths, legends, and ecological principals at each suspended tree-house.

Queenstown: 3.5-Hour Quad Biking Experience

10. Queenstown: 3.5-Hour Quad Biking Experience

Experience a unique quad bike tour on a fully automatic 400cc quad bikes with 4WD, ensuring an experience that is adventurous yet safe. Full training on the quad bike ensures that all levels are catered for. All weatherproof and waterproof clothing is provided along with all safety gear. The tour operator has exclusive use of Queenstown Hill ensuring that you can enjoy breathtaking panoramic views that are exclusively yours. Don’t forget your camera as the viewpoints provide stunning photo opportunities. Access a wealth of off-road trails covering different types of terrain allowing a tour that is tailored to the ability of the group. The tour is 3.5 hours in duration and all riders must be over 16 with a good command of the English language. A credit card bond is taken similar to a car hire procedure.

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What people are saying about Otago

Overall rating

5.0 / 5

based on 1 reviews

100% recommend this experience!! Extremely knowledgeable staff and a once in a lifetime experience! And not to mention the fact you’re saving a minimum of 9+ hours of driving time- absolute no brainer! Worth every cent, incredible experience, cannot recommend more highly! Everyone gets a window seat on the plane, it is just a small plane for around 12 people, and the pilot will take you a different way on the return flight, so you get to see a huge amount of different landscape. Thank you to our pilot, Andy, for a wonderful day!

WHAT AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE!! Will, our private pilot was outstanding. We got engaged at the top of the Glacier. It was a very memorable occasion. It is a great way to view Queenstown and further afield. I would highly recommend this helicopter experience. I will be back with my family in years to come.

This trip was worth every dollar! Spectacular views and great commentary from Garrett. Definitely beats sitting in a bus for hours.

It was such an incredible experience with the guidance and support of a wonderful team of staff and professionals.

It was absolutely awesome. Would definitely recommend it