Wanaka: Jet Boat Adventure & Wilderness Walk in Matukituki

4.89

(252 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t actually think I’d be nervous about a jet boat, but standing by the Matukituki River outside Wanaka, I caught myself fidgeting with my life jacket. The water looked so clear it almost disappeared over the stones. Our guide—Jamie, who grew up around here—grinned as he handed out wet weather gear (“just in case,” he said, but I could see him eyeing the clouds). There was this sharp scent of river rocks and something green, like moss after rain. It felt like we were about to jump into someone else’s story for a while.

The jet boat took off way faster than I expected. We skimmed over these shallow braids at what felt like impossible speed, and Jamie kept pointing out spots where Lord of the Rings scenes were filmed (I’m not even a big fan but somehow that made it cooler). At one point we spun so fast my stomach dropped and I yelled—no shame. He stopped in a deep pool and just let us listen for a minute. All you could hear was water moving and wind through beech trees. I remember thinking how small I felt under those mountains.

The walk after was quieter—maybe because everyone was still buzzing from the ride or maybe just catching their breath. We followed Jamie into this patch of forest where the ground bounced a little underfoot, all mossy and soft. Waterfalls tucked behind ferns, cold spray on your face if you got too close (which I did). Someone tried to skip stones in one of the glacier-fed streams but mostly just splashed themselves. The air tasted different back there—cleaner, colder. It’s hard to explain unless you’ve been somewhere that untouched.

By the time we headed back toward Wanaka, my shoes were wet and my hair was a mess from the wind but honestly? I didn’t care at all. There’s something about being out there—with people who know every bend in the river—that sticks with you longer than you expect.