Wairaurahiri River Jet Boat Tours – Explore Fiordland’s Remote Wilderness

Thrilling Jet Adventures from Lake Hauroko to the South Coast Rapids, Walks, Wildlife & More

Wairaurahiri River Jet Boat Tours – Thrill Meets Wilderness in Fiordland

Jet boat through one of New Zealand’s most remote and spectacular landscapes.
Your adventure begins on Lake Hauroko—New Zealand’s deepest lake—where you’ll launch across the still waters before entering the Wairaurahiri River. This wild, remote river carves through over a million years of untouched beech forest and offers a thrilling jet boating experience with fast currents, narrow channels, and Grade 3 rapids deep within Fiordland National Park.

Discover Untouched Nature and Rugged South Coast Beauty

This isn’t just about the adrenaline—it’s an immersive eco-experience. Stop to walk across the iconic Wairaurahiri Swingbridge and step into the ancient temperate rainforest, teeming with native birdlife. At the mouth of the river, the untamed South Coast greets you with wild surf and remote beaches. Adventurers can continue inland to explore the towering Percy Burn Viaduct or even stay overnight at a secluded forest lodge.

Whether you’re seeking high-speed thrills, rare wildlife encounters, or a journey into one of New Zealand’s last true wilderness areas, this unforgettable tour delivers it all.

The Wairaurahiri Wilderness Jet Full Day Wairaurahiri River Wilderness Experience

Departs: Lake Hauroko 10 am returns approx 4 pm
Price: $360 per person Based on Minimum 4 Pax
Duration: Approx 5 to 6 Hours.
Optional BBQ Lunch: $35 per person (bush-style venison BBQ)

Experience New Zealand’s longest and most exhilarating jet boat journey.
Begin your adventure with a high-speed jet boat ride across the remote waters of Lake Hauroko, then travel 27 km down the wild Wairaurahiri River through Fiordland’s untouched southern wilderness. Navigate Grade 3 whitewater rapids, passing through ancient beech forest on your way to the isolated South Coast and back.

Tour Highlights:

Short walk along the wild South Coast beach, with views of Stewart Island and the Solander Islands
Forest walk into Waitutu’s virgin podocarp forest, one of the oldest in New Zealand
Opportunity to hear native birdlife and soak in the remote wilderness atmosphere
Optional bush-style venison BBQ lunch in a scenic natural setting
Return journey upriver through exciting Grade 3 rapids, with views of native orchids and moss-draped forest

This full-day Fiordland adventure is ideal for those seeking thrilling jet boating, remote landscapes, and a deep connection with New Zealand’s natural world.

The Wairaurahiri Wilderness Jet Half Day

Wairaurahiri River Wilderness Experience
Duration: Approx 2 to 3 hours
Price: $270 per person Based on Minimum 4 Pax

Short on time but craving adventure? This compact jet boat tour delivers a powerful dose of Fiordland wilderness and river thrills.
Departing from Lake Hauroko, you’ll power across New Zealand’s deepest lake before entering the upper section of the Wairaurahiri River—renowned for its dramatic scenery and swift-flowing rapids. This half-day experience covers the river’s most exciting stretch, including the infamous ‘Sparkplug’ rapid, the striking rock formations of ‘The Vulcans,’ and the swirling eddies of ‘Black Swirl Hole.’

Tour Highlights:

Scenic jet boat ride across Lake Hauroko
Navigate the upper Wairaurahiri River through remote Fiordland forest
Experience Grade 3 rapids including ‘Sparkplug’ and ‘The Vulcans’
View ancient beech forest, moss-covered riverbanks, and native wildlife
Ideal for travellers seeking a shorter but equally thrilling adventure

This tour is perfect for visitors who want a taste of Fiordland’s jet boating action without committing to a full-day journey.

Wairaurahiri Wilderness Jet Boat & Walk Adventure

Price: $270 Per person Based on Minimum 4 Pax
Duration: Two Days.

Combine an epic multi-day Fiordland hike with an exhilarating jet boat ride through some of New Zealand’s most remote backcountry.
This unique walk-and-jet combo is perfect for trampers exploring the South Coast Track or the Humpridge Track. We can customise this option to suit your itinerary—just get in touch and we’ll make it happen.

Day One – Coastal Hike to Port Craig

Begin your journey from Bluecliffs Beach on Te Waewae Bay. Follow the South Coast Track through lush forest and along remote beaches to historic Port Craig Village.

Distance: 17 km
Time: 6–7 hours via forest track, or 5–6 hours via low-tide beach route
Accommodation: Overnight stay at the historic Port Craig Schoolhouse

Day Two – Viaducts & Jet Boating

Continue your walk along a former logging tramway, crossing some of New Zealand’s most impressive wooden viaducts:

Sandhill Viaduct
Percy Burn Viaduct (largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere)
Edwin and Francis Burn Viaducts
Distance: 13 km
Time: 4–5 hours
At the end of the trail, meet the Wairaurahiri Jet team for a thrilling 2-hour jet boat ride down the full length of the Wairaurahiri River, navigating Grade 3 rapids before crossing Lake Hauroko. Transport will be provided back to your starting point at Bluecliffs Beach.

An unforgettable journey through Southland’s wild coast, ancient forest, and powerful rivers—perfect for trampers seeking something truly unique.

More information email

The Wairaurahiri Wilderness Jet – Overnight Trip Waitutu Lodge

Price: $450 per person Return Based on Minimum 4 Pax
Lodge Cost: $100pp per night

Ideal for family, corporate, social groups and hunting /fishing trips.

Venture deep into the untouched wilds of Fiordland with an unforgettable overnight jet boat expedition to Waitutu Lodge—New Zealand’s southernmost accommodation.
Jet across Lake Hauroko and journey 83 km down the remote Wairaurahiri River, navigating Grade 3 whitewater rapids and dense native forest all the way to the rugged South Coast. After a full day of wilderness adventure, you’ll spend the night at Waitutu Lodge—a secluded retreat nestled between forest and sea.

This trip is perfect for families, fishing and hunting groups, social clubs, or corporate getaways looking for a unique off-grid experience.

Things to Do at Waitutu Lodge:

Trout fishing in pristine river waters
Hunting opportunities with abundant wild deer and pigs
Explore the remote South Coast, with views of Stewart Island and the Solander Islands
Hike through virgin beech and podocarp forest
Optional trek to the iconic Percy Burn Viaduct
Stay longer by arrangement—just ask
Unwind and listen to the native birdsong and wild coastal sounds
On your return, experience the full power of the Wairaurahiri River’s rapids once again, completing a true wilderness loop through one of New Zealand’s most spectacular and isolated regions.