North Island
Tongariro White Water Rafting
We are the most experienced white water rafting provider in the Taupo region, with over 200,000 customers. Our half-day Tongariro River Journey is one of the best rafting adventures in NZ, as you take on 60 heart-pounding, roller coaster Grade 3 rapids, making it an ideal adventure for expert or first-time rafters alike.
Our ‘Family Floats’ rafting adventure is the perfect family activity, you and the kids in one raft, on an adventure on the Tongaririo River. There is something magical about an overnight rafting trip, good friends, good food, plenty of laughs and the sound of a wilderness river burbling under the stars in the background. Experience Raft Fishing on the Tongariro River famous for its trout fishing, but where the upper river can only be reached by kayak or raft. The Blue Duck Experience combines the grade 3 whitewater with an Eco experience where the endangered Blue Duck (Whio) numbers on the river now reach to almost 30 pairs.
Our guides are qualified rafting professionals and our gear is top quality.
Tongariro River Rafting Trip Options:
Tongariro White Water Rafting – Grade 3
Price: Adults $189 per person – Child $164 pp (Conditions apply for 11 t& 12 year old)
Departures Summer : (1st November – 31st March) 9:00 am & 2:00 pm
Departures April: (1st April – 30th April ) 9:00 am & 1:00 pm
Departures Winter (1st May – 31st October) 12:00 noon
Tame the Tongariro’s Roller-Coaster Rapids
Total time on water is 2 – 2.5 hours, total trip time 3.5 – 4 hours.
After a warm welcome at our Turangi base, your expert guide will brief you and kit you out in high quality gear to keep you safe and cosy.
Once kitted out we head to the banks of the beautiful Tongariro River for an on-shore briefing with your awesome Rafting Guide.
You’re in good hands: our super-passionate, experienced guides will coach your team to paddle like a well-oiled machine before you know it.
We love nothing more than seeing the excitement on your face as you conquer the white water rapids of the Tongariro. We’ll take plenty of photos for you, so you can see for yourself and share with your friends.
Unforgettable adventures await as you navigate 60 rapids in a 13km stretch – that’s more rapids in one stretch than anywhere in New Zealand, how cool is that? The Tongariro River’s grade 3 rapids are perfect for first-time rafters: thrills and spills galore without any extreme drops requiring experience. Your pulse will be racing and your senses will be overloaded with all sorts of awesome.
When you’re in the moment – just you, your fellow rafters and the thundering water, you’ll truly understand why white water rafting is so so addictive!
Tongariro Family Floats Rafting
Price: Adults $139 per person – Child $119 pp (Minimum age 5 years old)
Departures Summer : (1st November – 31st March) 10:30 am & 3:30 pm
Departures April: (1st April – 30th April ) 10:00 am
Departures Winter(1st May – 31st October) 09:00 am
Family Rafting on the Tongariro River
Free pickups available from Turangi. Total time on water is 1.5 hours, total trip time 2.5 – 3 hours.
On board your raft, the whole family can pitch in and paddle, or simply sit back and relax while your guide does all the work.
The gentle currents will carry you along with regular areas of small, bouncy splashy rapids – enough to keep you on your toes without scaring your grandma – the kids will love it! and our awesome highly trained guides are experts at calming any first-time nerves.
They’ll keep you entertained and tell you all about the sensational scenery and wildlife you’ll see while you’re floating along.
You’ll get to know our friends the Whio, highly endangered native blue ducks who call the Tongariro River home. They live in pairs all along the river – see if you can spot them! The water on the Tongariro is crystal clear as it is naturally spring fed – keep an eye out for the huge rainbow and brown trout swimming around.
Our Family Floats rafting experience – a genuine adventure activity that the whole family can enjoy and participate in.
Raft Fishing on the Tongariro River
Price: Adults $1500 based on one to two anglers (Maximum #)
Departures All Seasons: 8am. Trip times are flexible for groups.
Departures upper Tongariro: November 1st to May 31st
Fly Fishing on the Tongariro
This wilderness section of the Tongariro River, with its crystal clear pools and unspoiled runs, gets minimal angling pressure compared to the lower Tongariro and can, therefore, deliver exceptional fishing.
The upper river is open to anglers from December 1st to May 31st each year. For anglers seeking uncrowded waters and large numbers of quality fighting fish, this can be trout heaven.
The lower Tongariro River can be fished year round. Fishing during the months of the winter spawning run allows anglers the opportunity to catch strong, fresh-run trout.
We raft fish many central North Island rivers, not just the Tongariro River. Contact Garth to discuss the other options available and let him put together your dream fishing trip to the North Island.
What you need to bring: Waders, fishing tackle, sense of humour, taupo fishing licence
Note: We’re committed to preventing the spread of didymo and other waterborne pests. Please check, clean and dry your gear before you arrive, or we may need to put you through the didymo cleaning station.
Tongariro Blue Duck Experience
Price: Adults $209 per person – (Minimum age 11 years old)
Departures Times : 8:00 am All year round
In 2008 TRR owner Garth Oakden along with Nick Singers and Craig Morey founded The Blue Duck Project on The Tongariro River.
The aim was to trap pests to protect the Whio (Blue Duck) of which there are only 3000 nationally. This project has been unbelievably successful with duck numbers on the river now reaching to almost 30 pairs.
Join us in discovering how the project has achieved the outcomes that it has on this unique rafting trip. Combine the grade 3 whitewater with an Eco experience. These are small personal tours with no more than 10 people per trip.
This trip is run on the grade three section of the Tongariro River. But instead of just rafting down you will have the opportunity to go out and see the blue duck project in action.
This will involve getting out of the rafts, walking the trapping lines and ensuring that the traps are all charged and set to go. You can do as much or as little as you like and since they are all gas powered, automatic traps they are easy to handle.
Along with helping with the traps, you will also be helping the project financially as a portion of the trip price paid will go directly into the trust.
Getting Set Up for Rafting on the Tongariro River
After a warm welcome at our Turangi base (133 Atirau Rd, Turangi 3334), your expert guide will brief you and kit you out in high quality gear to keep you safe and cosy.
Once kitted out we head to the banks of the beautiful Tongariro River for an on-shore briefing with your awesome Rafting Guide. You’re in good hands: our super-passionate, experienced guides will coach your team to paddle like a well-oiled machine before you know it.
Sights you can only see by raft.
Paddle through the very heart of the Great Lake Taupo region, enjoying stunning scenery you can only access by water. Towering pine forests, native bush and volcanic cliffs surround you on your epic Tongariro River journey.
Discover New Zealand wildlife around every bend: look out for Whio, our endangered blue ducks, nesting along the river banks. Spot giant New Zealand trout swimming below you – so big they are known to feast on a mouse or two!
Returning back to base
Soaked to the skin and grinning from ear to ear, return to our base for a hot drink. Relive the action with photos and video of your trip on the big screen and choose your favourites to buy and take home. In winter we’ll stop by the local hot pools to get you extra toasty.
- Clothing & Safety: Polar fleece jersey, splash jacket, helmet, wet suit, wet suit boot, life jacket
- Photos: Digital photos and 360 Go Pro Video of your adventure are downloaded and available immediately after you return. Available for purchase at a small additional cost.
Phone: 07 386 6409 Free-Phone: 0800 10 10 24
Email: [email protected] Visit our Website: trr.co.nz/
