THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Face 62 rapids on a thrilling 10.5 km river run with Wellington WhiteWater Adventures, followed by craft beer and camaraderie at Wild Kiwi Distilleries. Get ready for a day that balances high-energy rafting with relaxed local flavor in Upper Hutt.
Face 62 rapids on a thrilling 10.5 km river run with Wellington WhiteWater Adventures, followed by craft beer and camaraderie at Wild Kiwi Distilleries. Get ready for a day that balances high-energy rafting with relaxed local flavor in Upper Hutt.
Book with Wellington WhiteWater Adventures
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Wellington WhiteWater Adventures · Upper Hutt, Wellington
Upper Hutt, perched within the Wellington region of New Zealand, offers a compelling blend of rugged natural landscapes and vibrant local culture. At 9A Jupiter Grove, Trentham, Wellington WhiteWater Adventures opens a gateway to adrenaline and refreshment through their Raft & Craft Tour. This experience is not just another river run; it combines the pulse of whitewater rafting with a relaxed craft beer session, set against the dramatic backdrop of native New Zealand forest.
The Raft & Craft Tour pushes paddlers through a 10.5-kilometer course filled with 62 rapids, each offering its own challenge and thrill. The river carves through the Kaitoke Regional Park area, renowned for its dense stands of native beech and kauri trees and crystal-clear waters that swirl around moss-covered boulders. Along this course, rafters can anticipate heart-pumping moments on technical drops and the chance to leap from natural rock platforms into deep pools below.
This adventure caters to paddlers aged 10 and up, blending skill-building with fun. The carefully guided tour ensures participants navigate safely while capturing striking photos and video highlights of their journey. Lunch is served riverside, providing an energizing break before the next set of rapids.
Post-rafting, the tour culminates at Wild Kiwi Distilleries to sample craft beers and unwind. Here, the atmosphere shifts from adrenaline-fueled to convivial as you relive the day’s feats with fellow adventurers, watching your run on the big screen. This combined itinerary makes Wellington WhiteWater Adventures a distinctive provider in the Upper Hutt outdoor scene—seamlessly threading together New Zealand’s wild waters and its emerging craft beverage scene for a truly rounded day out.
moderate.
3–6 hours.
Participants should have moderate fitness, capable of sustained paddling and maneuvering in fast water.
Wear quick-drying clothing, a swimsuit or base layer, and closed-toe water shoes; a wetsuit is provided if needed.
No, the tour is guided for all skill levels and ages 10 and above, with safety briefings included.
Yes, a delicious riverside meal is provided to keep you energized throughout the trip.
Basic swimming ability is recommended; life jackets are provided and guides are trained for safety.
Tours operate rain or shine, but extreme weather may cause rescheduling for safety reasons.
The rafting portion lasts about 3 hours, plus time to enjoy craft beer and relaxation afterward—expect around 6 hours total.
Kaitoke Regional Park was a filming location for the Rivendell scenes in The Lord of the Rings, adding a layer of cinematic history to the natural reserve.
Wellington WhiteWater Adventures works closely with local land managers to minimize ecological impact and promote river health.
Wellington WhiteWater Adventures is an Upper Hutt–based adventure operator offering guided river and canyon experiences close to Wellington city. The company runs a range of activities including whitewater rafting on Te Awa Kairangi/Hutt River and Waiohine Gorge, duckie tours, canyoning in the Little Akatarawa, electric mountain biking combined with river trips, and helicopter-access wilderness rafting. Tours include entry-level canyoning trips with waterfall abseils and zip lines, family-friendly scenic floats and grade 2 rafting, plus longer wilderness-grade duckie and grade 3 rafting options. Several full-day packages combine activities—examples include the Ropes and Rivers Tour (canyoning and kayaking with a catered lunch) and Bikes, Boats and Brews (e-bike riding, rafting and a riverside meal). A helicopter-access option provides remote entry to Waiohine Gorge for an extended day on the river. Guides are positioned as experienced river and canyon professionals who lead trips across a range of difficulty levels and terrain. Trips explicitly offer catered lunches on multiple tours and high-quality photos on select full-day adventures. Wellington WhiteWater Adventures operates from Upper Hutt, Wellington, and runs activities in nearby locations such as the Little Akatarawa Canyon, Te Awa Kairangi/Hutt River and Waiohine Gorge. The operator provides options suited to families, groups, team-building and adrenaline-seeking visitors, with trip lengths that range from two-hour scenic floats to multi-hour wilderness outings.
Book with Wellington WhiteWater Adventures