THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Combine a high-speed jetboat ride on the Waiau River with a guided stretch of the Kepler Track and a picnic on Lake Manapouri. This full-day trip mixes river adrenaline, native forest, and suspension-bridge views near Te Anau.
Combine a high-speed jetboat ride on the Waiau River with a guided stretch of the Kepler Track and a picnic on Lake Manapouri. This full-day trip mixes river adrenaline, native forest, and suspension-bridge views near Te Anau.
A high-velocity jetboat slices the Waiau River, spray lifting like silver confetti as the boat chases the next bend toward Lake Manapouri. You feel the river’s energy first—cold, fast, and expectant—then the landscape opens: glassy lake arms, towering beech and rimu, and the kind of silence that makes small birds sound enormous.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Fiordland Tours · Te Anau, Southland
A high-velocity jetboat slices the Waiau River, spray lifting like silver confetti as the boat chases the next bend toward Lake Manapouri. You feel the river’s energy first—cold, fast, and expectant—then the landscape opens: glassy lake arms, towering beech and rimu, and the kind of silence that makes small birds sound enormous.
This one-day combination pairs a scenic jetboat ride with a guided section of the Kepler Track, one of Fiordland National Park’s most accessible Great Walks. The valley here is a carved place—glacial action left steep terraces and dark, rocky outcrops that hold rain and glacier-fed streams. Māori used these valleys seasonally for food gathering, and the track’s name honours Johannes Kepler; today the route threads native forest alive with tui and bellbirds and the occasional fantail.
Expect a paced, interpretive walk through mature beech forest and across boardwalks to a dramatic suspension bridge at Rainbow Reach. The guide points out native flora, local geology and trout-rich pools you glimpse from the river. Lunch is a hearty picnic; transport shuttles you back to Te Anau by late afternoon.
Practical guide: plan on 6–7 hours door-to-door; wear waterproof layers and sturdy boots for wet roots and river spray. Bring insect repellent—sandflies can be persistent—and a refillable water bottle. The trip suits moderately fit walkers who can manage uneven terrain for several hours. Bookings are limited and weather-dependent; mornings offer better light for photography and calmer water for spotting trout.
moderate.
6–7 hours.
Moderate fitness—comfortable walking on uneven terrain for up to 3 hours with short climbs and descents.
The guided walk covers the best accessible sections of the Kepler Track and lasts about 2–3 hours, included within the full 6–7 hour excursion.
Children who can manage moderate walking and sit safely on the jetboat are fine; this trip is not recommended for people with serious back or heart issues or advanced pregnancy.
The operator may cancel or reschedule for poor weather; the trip is weather-dependent and cancellations usually result in a full refund if made at least 24 hours ahead.
Yes—expect native birds such as tui and bellbird, and keep an eye on river pools for rainbow and brown trout; larger mammals are uncommon in the immediate area.
The Kepler Track runs through Fiordland National Park and was developed as one of New Zealand’s Great Walks to showcase glacial valleys and native forest.
This area is high-rainfall and ecologically sensitive—stick to formed tracks, pack out waste and avoid disturbing native flora and birdlife.
Fiordland Tours operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
A high-velocity jetboat slices the Waiau River, spray lifting like silver confetti as the boat chases the next bend toward Lake Manapouri. You feel the river’s energy first—cold, fast, and expectant—then the landscape opens: glassy lake arms, towering beech and rimu, and the kind of silence that makes small birds sound enormous.
A high-velocity jetboat slices the Waiau River, spray lifting like silver confetti as the boat chases the next bend toward Lake Manapouri. You feel the river’s energy first—cold, fast, and expectant—then the landscape opens: glassy lake arms, towering beech and rimu, and the kind of silence that makes small birds sound enormous.
This one-day combination pairs a scenic jetboat ride with a guided section of the Kepler Track, one of Fiordland National Park’s most accessible Great Walks. The valley here is a carved place—glacial action left steep terraces and dark, rocky outcrops that hold rain and glacier-fed streams. Māori used these valleys seasonally for food gathering, and the track’s name honours Johannes Kepler; today the route threads native forest alive with tui and bellbirds and the occasional fantail.
Expect a paced, interpretive walk through mature beech forest and across boardwalks to a dramatic suspension bridge at Rainbow Reach. The guide points out native flora, local geology and trout-rich pools you glimpse from the river. Lunch is a hearty picnic; transport shuttles you back to Te Anau by late afternoon.
Practical guide: plan on 6–7 hours door-to-door; wear waterproof layers and sturdy boots for wet roots and river spray. Bring insect repellent—sandflies can be persistent—and a refillable water bottle. The trip suits moderately fit walkers who can manage uneven terrain for several hours. Bookings are limited and weather-dependent; mornings offer better light for photography and calmer water for spotting trout.