Goldfields Jet Boat & Historic Gold Mining Centre

Goldfields Jet Boat Trip on Queenstown’s Kawarau River

Experience the rush and discover the gold mining history of this spectacular region of New Zealand onboard the Goldfields Jet based at the Goldfields Mining centre on state highway 6 in the Kawarau Gorge. (The main highway between Queenstown & Cromwell).

Set in the heart of one of New Zealand’s most historic gold-mining regions, Goldfields Jet is a fun & unique action packed jet boat ride on the mighty Kawarau River one of New Zealand most spectacular high volume rivers. Our specially designed jet boats and highly trained drivers will take you on an unforgettable 40-minute or 25 minute ride through the Kawarau Gorge that includes an extensive commentary on the history of the area and other points of interest.

Goldfields Jet Boat Ride Through Kawarau River Gorge

Your experience starts as soon as you arrive in the stunning Kawarau Gorge and are greeted by one of our friendly and fun team.  Head down the banks of the mighty Kawarau River and step aboard one of our high-spec purpose build V8 jet boats – your adrenaline rush is about to begin!

Your highly trained driver will navigate the shallow, braided waters of the Bannockburn arm at epic speeds, power up stream through the breathtakingly narrow Kawarau Gorge, racing past canyon walls before arriving at the impressive Staircase Rapids.  The only ride to offer shallow waters and deep rapids in one adrenaline filled hit with multiple 360° spins.  No need to look anywhere else – Experience the Best!

Goldfields Jet & Goldfields Mining Centre

Price: Adult $130 per person –  Child $65 pp (Age 5 to 13)

Includes: 40 minute jet boat ride & guided walk through the Gold mining centre

Buckle up and hold on tight for an unforgettable 40 minute ride through the might Kawarau Gorge.  Expect narrow canyons, huge spins, top speeds and white water.  After you have come down from your adrenaline high, take a short stroll to the Goldfields Mining Centre for a 1 hour guided tour and find out more about the 1860’s Otago Gold Rush.  Enjoy a scenic walk before trying your luck at gold panning.

It was the lure of GOLD that brought the first settlers into Central Otago and the Goldfields Mining Centre is the perfect place to visit for anyone interested in New Zealand’s gold rush history, a special place where visitors can gain an appreciation of the life and working environment of those early miners who struggled against the harsh and sometimes dangerous conditions along Central Otago’s famed Kawarau Gorge

This one hour fully guided tour of the most accessible parts of the Goldfields Park. The tour starts at the visitor centre where you meet your guide for an introduction into the Park’s history. It then follows a track through sites of ground sluicing to the Chinese village and a number of early mines and tunnels dug by the miners. From vantage points above the park, visitors can gain a full appreciation of the enormous amount of work done by the early miners utilising water brought on site through miles of water races in the hills beyond the park’s boundaries.

The tour finishes at the Goldfield’s mine where a California sluice gun is fired up to reveal its awesome water pressure used to dislodge gold bearing ore, Next, the stamper battery used to crush the gold bearing rocks brought out from the adjacent mine.\

Goldfields Jet, Carrick Winery & Goldfields Mining Centre

Price: Adult $229 per person –  Child $119 pp (Age 5 to 13)

Includes: 40 minute jet boat ride & guided walk through the Gold mining centre followed lunch at Carrick Winery

This Package is the ultimate Kawarau Gorge experience.  Get your pulse racing on a 40 minute jet boat trip before visiting the Goldfields Mining Centre for a guided tour and see the original tunnels, mine shafts, water races and dams built by the early miners.  Next, take a gentle cruise down the river to the stunning Carrick Winery where you will relax and enjoy stunning views of the Bannockburn inlet.  Lunch at Carrick Winery includes a platter to share, petit fours, a glass of wine and a tasting of four wines.

Phone:  NZ (+64) 03 445 1038              Freephone: 0800 111 038                 

Email: [email protected]               Visit our Website:  www.goldfieldsjet.co.nz/