Rafting in New Zealand

Rafting can take many forms, from a sedate drift along a benign grade 1 river through wonderful rain forest scenery with all the family to a hair raising mad dash along a grade 5 torrent (without the family).

New Zealand has it all and more since it has many rivers, each with their own brand of beauty and character.  It's even possible to try rafting through underground caves at Waitomo, for example, or worse still, over the Tutea falls which are over 7 metres high.

People who are interested in white water rafting will be spoilt for choice.  Grade 5 rivers, which are the hairiest, can be found Hanmer Springs, Geraldine (Christchurch), Lake Taupo, and Greymouth but there are many more locations that offer rafting on lower grade (3 or 4) rivers.

Some rafting companies also offer combination rafting experiences with hiking, 4x4 drives, helicopter rides or cave tubing (on a car's inner tube)!

By the way, the emergency services number in New Zealand is 111.