Kawarau River
Kawarau River
4.5
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4 within 3 miles
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31 within 6 miles
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.5
21 reviews
Excellent
15
Very good
4
Average
2
Poor
0
Terrible
0
floridaherbie
Marco Island, FL188 contributions
Feb 2020
We hiked from the Kawarau bridge to Gibbston valley. It's 5km only but gives you a lot of beautiful views into the Kawarau gorge. Picknick tables are several along the way or you can eat at the little bar/restaurant at the bungee jumping station at the old suspension bridge next to the parking lot.
Written February 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BangkokSachse
Bangkok, Thailand41,890 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
We traveled from Twizel to Queenstown. We stopped at Roaring Meg. Kawarau Gorge Viewpoint is beautiful. Roaring Meg power station is near the viewpoint. Kawarau is beautiful. The view platform is wonderful.
Written February 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Naina-Damani
London, UK1,032 contributions
Mar 2020
We were driven in a massive group with AATKings to Queenstown and on the way it was a stopover at Kawarau Gorge Viewpoint for photography and great scenery.
Written February 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrew B
Newcastle-under-Lyme, UK58 contributions
Jul 2014 • Family
I have wanted to go white water rafting for many years. This was the year -50th birthday treat.
We booked on 3rd May for a trip on 11 July.
On arriving in queenstown from Great Britain we were told that there were only 6 people going and that we needed 8 on a boat; the trip was not guaranteed to go :(
The following morning I phoned and was told at about 1015 that the trip was still only with 6 people and therefore may not go at 1 pm.
An hour or so later I had a call to say we were in business and we would be going.
We were transferred to the starting point without hassle and the guides on the boat and helpers at the changing facilities were very good. The river was fun and the last rapid great. The gear you borrow keeps you warm.
What frustrated me though was that there were 2 boats that went - 8 in one boat and our family of 4 in the other (plus our guide and a friend of his who had come to make up the numbers).
There were therefore only 6 in our boat and we had been told the day before and again 2 hours before the trip that we needed 8.
This is not on - please tell people the correct facts - if you need 8 people to make it viable for maybe financial reasons say so - but don' t say you need 8 in a boat when we were only 6.
I suggest that if you are only going to have a couple of days here and really want to go on this trip that you get confirmation when booking of how many have already booked so you know where you are in the queue and clarification of how many more are needed on the trip.
We booked on 3rd May for a trip on 11 July.
On arriving in queenstown from Great Britain we were told that there were only 6 people going and that we needed 8 on a boat; the trip was not guaranteed to go :(
The following morning I phoned and was told at about 1015 that the trip was still only with 6 people and therefore may not go at 1 pm.
An hour or so later I had a call to say we were in business and we would be going.
We were transferred to the starting point without hassle and the guides on the boat and helpers at the changing facilities were very good. The river was fun and the last rapid great. The gear you borrow keeps you warm.
What frustrated me though was that there were 2 boats that went - 8 in one boat and our family of 4 in the other (plus our guide and a friend of his who had come to make up the numbers).
There were therefore only 6 in our boat and we had been told the day before and again 2 hours before the trip that we needed 8.
This is not on - please tell people the correct facts - if you need 8 people to make it viable for maybe financial reasons say so - but don' t say you need 8 in a boat when we were only 6.
I suggest that if you are only going to have a couple of days here and really want to go on this trip that you get confirmation when booking of how many have already booked so you know where you are in the queue and clarification of how many more are needed on the trip.
Written July 13, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dawn s
Camberley, UK226 contributions
Jan 2020
We went on the K Jet boat ride down this river and then on to the shotover river it was a fab ride with great scenery
Written January 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Desk_Captain
Emu Plains, Australia15 contributions
Dec 2019
Great lookout about roaring meg. I like the water colour. Definitely worth a stop for a photo. Plenty of parking.
Written December 15, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dalbir_S_Virdi
Navi Mumbai, India3,028 contributions
Jun 2019
On your way from Ashburton or Christchurch to Queenstown, you can not miss this River as you pass through hilly terrain and start enjoying various gorges of this River. This River is not only beautiful and full of Rapids, its also the hub of various water sports. Most popular being the high speed Jet Boats. We not only enjoyed the beauty of this River from far, from the Bridge - we also went for high speed Jet Boat ride and experienced the River from close quarters. Loved being here.
Written August 23, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MC M
Sydney, Australia749 contributions
Mar 2019 • Friends
Riverboarding can be extremely dangerous and is quite the spectator sport from the viewing platform of the Roaring Meg Power Station high above the Kawarau River. Follow the Kawarau Gorge Road to Queenstown (State Hughesy 6)just outside of Cromwell. The Gorge cuts a splendid path through this region.
•Central Otago•South Island•New Zealand•
Vicki
Sydney
Australia
CHECK ME OUT on INSTAGRAM at:
vickisworldview
•Central Otago•South Island•New Zealand•
Vicki
Sydney
Australia
CHECK ME OUT on INSTAGRAM at:
vickisworldview
Written April 3, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2fromTX
San Antonio, TX900 contributions
Mar 2019 • Family
Even if you don't partake of the many adventure activities on the river, driving through the Kawarau River Gorge as you come into Queenstown from the Mt. Cook area is a treat. I would have preferred to do it as a passenger instead of a driver, but it's still very pretty. Stop at the "Roaring Megs" overlook, take a couple of pitcures, and read a little of the history for a good short break in the drive.
Written March 23, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nigel S
Lightwater, UK5,233 contributions
Jan 2019 • Couples
We stopped off on our way to Queenstown and found this beautiful colourful river, full of activity. A tuely attractive spot.
Written March 7, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Claim your listingKawarau River - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Kawarau River
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Kawarau River:
- Queenstown 60-minute Jet Boat Ride on the Shotover & Kawarau Rivers (From $85.05)
- Arrowtown and Around Half-Day Small-Group Tour (From $87.57)
- Queenstown Jet 25-minute Jet Boat ride (From $62.37)
- Lord of the Rings 4WD Tour (Half-Day) (From $170.10)
- Queenstown Kawarau River Rafting and Jet Boat (From $175.77)
- Hotels near Kawarau River:
- (0.76 mi) Gibbston Valley Lodge & Spa
- (4.35 mi) Stoneridge Estate
- (3.59 mi) Kinross Winery – Cottages
- (5.40 mi) The Cottages Lake Hayes
- (6.15 mi) The Arrow Hotel
- Restaurants near Kawarau River:
- (0.76 mi) Gibbston Valley Winery Restaurant
- (5.08 mi) Mora Wines & Artisan Kitchen
- (5.86 mi) La Rumbla
- (5.87 mi) Slow Cuts
- (5.88 mi) The Chop Shop Food Merchants
Kawarau River Information
Excellent Reviews | 15 |
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Very Good Reviews | 4 |
Kawarau River Photos | 47 |