Dart River Safaris - Queenstown
Dart River Safaris - taking you to the heart of a world heritage area
You'll jetboat deep into the pristine wilderness up a stunning aquamarine "braided" glacial river, beneath magnificent snow capped peaks mountains, walk amongst ancient beech forest, and enjoy a backroad journey by coach through "Paradise", home to several Lord of the Rings film locations. Allow 6 hours return.
- The most scenic Jet Boating in New Zealand. A 1½ hour ride along the Dart River amongst towering mountains and the refreshingly beautiful wilderness of the Mt Aspiring National Park.
- Then take a short and easy walk, of 20-40 minutes, through ancient forests, unchanged for 80 million years. Hear an informative and entertaining commentary on the area and its history – including the quest by early Maori for highly prized pounamu (greenstone).
- Board your back road coach for a journey to Paradise and beyond. This 40-50 minute trip allows the opportunity to explore a region filled with spectacular vistas which have inspired many talented film makers to bring their projects to this area, including Lord of the Rings.
- Two departures daily. The trip may be completed in reverse order.
- Allow 6 hours for the full trip from Queenstown or 3 hours from Glenorchy
Fun Yaks- A full day adventure on the breathtaking Dart River
You'll travel by jetboat to the upper part of the Dart River, and then at your own pace paddle downstream, exploring some of the many safe and intriguing chasms and byrnes along the way down. The colour of the water in these areas is spectacular. Enjoy a sumptuous buffet lunch and return through Paradise.
- Jet boat for 1¼ hours to the upper reaches of the Dart River, where visitors disembark and inflate their own canoe.
- After a full safety and paddling instruction, your Funyak journey begins.
- Paddle downstream on a glacier feed river amidst rocky peaks and dense rainforests.
- Enjoy a wilderness buffet lunch and explore the Rock Burn Chasm and ancient beech forests.
- Paddle to Paradise then transfer to an awaiting back road coach for the return trip through Paradise.
- One departure daily. Funyaks is suitable for most ages with average fitness, no previous experience is required. Wetsuits are provided – please bring a towel plus swimwear to wear underneath.
- Allow 9 hours for the trip from Queenstown or 7 hours from Glenorchy
