A jet boat accessed, immersive wilderness adventure across a dramatic lake and down an extremely remote river to finish on the wild South Coast.

This experience offers a very special way to spend intimate time together with family or friends and paddle fun and exciting class 2 rapids. See some of the most untouched wilderness environments in New Zealand.

This expedition starts with a scenic transfer from your accommodation to the shores of Lake Houroko in Southern Fiordland. Here, waiting jet boats will zip you across New Zealand’s deepest lake to the source and starting point of the rafting on the Wairaurahiri River.

After inflating and loading your rafts, a safety brief and instruction, your thrilling journey downstream commences. Leaving the lake and entering the river is slow and peaceful initially before becoming bumpier, with fun and exhilarating class 2 rapid wave trains. The Wairurahiri has a consistent gradient as it drops to the sea which creates wonderful, non-threatening rapids which are fun, but without the hazards of higher-graded rivers. This makes this expedition perfectly suited and achievable for families with children.

Expect a truly empowering, fun and engaging day paddling and bouncing your way downstream, surrounded by lush over-hanging rainforest viewed from the comfort of your raft.

In the afternoon your guide will pull into your accommodation for the evening – a private hut, which is a short stroll through ancient rainforest to the wild Southern Coast. From here you can safely walk along the beach, accessible by foot or boat only, and enjoy views of New Zealand’s Stewart Island.

After a good night’s sleep, spend the following full day exploring the surrounding area of this remote South Fiordland location with amazing hiking opportunities on offer. Your guides can tailor this day to suit your interests with plenty of history in the area to delve into. Build a bon-fire on the beach of the Southern Coast as you share stories of the days adventures – this is quality time spent together in an unmatched wilderness environment, away from the crowds in your own slice of remote paradise!

The following morning a jet boat will arrive to transport you and all the equipment back upstream and across the lake to your waiting vehicle, where you will be transferred back to civilisation, invigorated, inspired, and with magical shared memories to last a lifetime.

South Island Wilderness Adventure

Glenorchy, Fiordland, Queenstown, Mount Aspiring National Park, Lake Wānaka, Omarama