Tongariro Whitewater
Fifty-plus Grade 3 rapids. Fourteen kilometres of river. Zero time to get bored.
This is the one people come back for.
Fifty-plus rapids in fourteen kilometres means there’s no stretch where you’re just floating and waiting for the next thing to happen. You’re paddling, you’re reading water, you’re bouncing off canyon walls — for two and a half hours straight.
Your guide’s a professional rafter who knows this river rapid by rapid, and they’ll fill the gaps between whitewater with the stories tied to this stretch of the Tongariro – not a script, an actual connection to the place. Keep an eye on the banks too: this is one of the few places you’ll spot a Whio, one of the rarest native birds in the country, in the wild.
Feeling confident? There’s an optional cliff jump partway down for anyone who wants one more hit of adrenaline before the take-out.
Worth knowing before you book: this trip needs active participation. You’ll be following paddle commands the whole way, so if you or anyone in your group has a specific concern about fitness, ability, or anything else, call us first and we’ll help you figure out if this is the right trip.
This Trip Includes
- 2–2.5 hours on the river (4 hours base-to-base)
- All on-river apparel and rafting equipment
- Full safety briefing
- 14km (8 miles) of 50+ rapids
Adult
17+ years old
Child
Ages 11–17
Straight Off The Guides' Cameras
A taste of what’s waiting on the Tongariro. Digital photos and video from your own trip are available to purchase after you raft.
Frequently Asked Questions
The quick answers. Call us on 0800 865 226 if yours isn’t here.
Yes. You don’t need previous rafting experience, but you do need to be able to follow paddle commands and safety instructions — this is an active-participation trip, not a passive float.
Adults 17+ and children 11–16 at the child rate. Children 11 and 12 years old require a one-to-one adult ratio.
2–2.5 hours on the water, 4 hours base-to-base including gear-up and transport.
50+ Grade 3 rapids across 14km (8 miles) of river.
No — it’s optional, for anyone who wants it.
All on-river apparel and rafting equipment, plus a full safety briefing.
Yes, digital photos and video are available to purchase after you raft.