Waimakariri River Tours and Activities

Explore the Canterbury Plains and Southern Alps on this Arthur’s Pass day tour from Christchurch. Travel through the pastureland of the Canterbury Plains to Springfield with your guide. Hop aboard your TranzAlpine train and journey through the Waimakariri Gorge. Explore the alpine village of Arthur’s Pass in the Otira Gorge and enjoy lunch in a local restaurant. Visit a sheep farm, and admire native birdlife in the foothills of the Southern Alps. Upgrade to include a hair-raising jet-boat ride on the mighty Waimakariri River!

Take a jet-boat ride on the Waimakariri River, locally known as ‘The Waimak,’ with round-trip hotel transport from Christchurch. Select whichever duration best suits your schedule: enjoy a 30-minute braided Blast on the Lower Waimak, a 30-minute Adventure tour through Waimakariri Gorge or a 1-hour Canyon Safari adventure full of thrills and spills — suitable for the whole family.

A thrilling jet boat ride and a scenic helicopter tour are both must-do activities in New Zealand. Save yourself time and hassle by combining them in one easy trip. Departing from Christchurch, you’ll fly over the scenic Canterbury countryside, admiring the pristine braided rivers as you go. Soon you’ll be zipping over them in a jet boat navigated by an expert driver who will keep you safe while you’re having fun.

Experience breathtaking views of the Southern Alps during a horseback ride along the banks of the Waimakariri River — just outside Christchurch. This 1.5-hour horse trek, led by an experienced local guide, accommodates both beginning and experienced riders. If you’d like, upgrade your experience to include a visit to a working sheep farm or a jet-boat ride through Waimakariri Gorge. Hotel pickup and drop-off from centrally located hotels are included.

Explore the beautiful alpine setting of Arthur's Pass National Park on this shore excursion from Lyttelton Port via guided coach, including time for lunch and exploration of Arthur's Pass Village, an exhilarating jet boat ride along the Waimakariri River (optional extra), and a visit to a sheep farm with sheep dog work, sheep shearing demonstration, and afternoon tea included.

Discover the picturesque Southern Alps, one of New Zealand's most iconic land features. Fly over the immense checkerboard of the Canterbury Plains, across the tresses of the braided Waimakiriri River and to the sheer sides of a steep gorge to touch down at Chest Peak. Sitting at just under 6,500ft, the peak dwarfs most other mountains in the region. Take in breathtaking, 360 degree vistas stretching from as far as the eye can see, including the Blockbuster backdrops of Castle Hill, the Lees Valley, Flock Hill Station and beyond. All our pilots proudly call Canterbury home and will share their wealth of knowledge and personal anecdotes as you fly near their much-loved and noteworthy spots.

Get to know the real untouched New Zealand as you take off, heading west over the Canterbury Plains towards the well-known braided Waimakariri River. Notice the Craigieburn Basin come into view, a distinguished blockbuster film set, followed by the curious rock scape of Castle Hill. See the glisten of Lake Pearson as you fly by the Southern Alps' main divide, climbing up & over the ridgeline, to debut at the mighty Rakaia River. Without another aircraft in sight come to two of Canterbury's best kept secrets - the rarely visited Lyell and the Ramsay Glaciers due to their inaccessibility. Touch down to overwhelming 360 degree views, filled with staggeringly sharp mountaintops & turquoise waters of the the glacier lakes. Enjoy lunch in the amphitheatre of the outdoors without a single disruption. Reboard the helicopter, and fly downstream to more classic views of the high-country. Rise over the depths of Lake Coleridge and return over the Canterbury Plains, inbound for Christchurch.

New Zealand is home to some of the world’s most breathtaking scenery, including intricate river systems and fast-flowing rapids. This tour takes you on an amazing scenic flight over the Canterbury Plains before arriving at the Waimakariri Gorge for an adrenalin-packed Jet Boat ride. It’s the ultimate Kiwi experience. Our pilots will personalise this experience for you by sharing their local knowledge and insights of our big backyard as you fly over remarkable sights and landmarks, including; Waimakariri Gorge and Claxby. We have plenty to share with you and can’t wait for you to experience it. *Price includes Jet Boat adventure ride.