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 | Queenstown Jet Boating. Reviews | Tips 1 - 10 of 21 |  |
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| | | | Jet Boating.: Scream on the Famous Shotover Jet | | | | | |
As I am not into activities in the air (bungy, parachute or paragliding) because I like to feel ground under my feet, jetboating is among my favourite activities. There are quite some tours on offer in Queenstown but only one is a little scary at the start and makes you scream LOL It is the Shotover Jet, the only company with a permit to race in its red boats through the narrow river gorge of the Shotover. The skills of the jetboat drivers are fascinating, as they pace along overhanging rocks, and seem to crash right into them. But you can stop screaming. Even in the narrow sections they perform 360 degree spins - and then you will know why you get a long raincoat which you wear under the life vest ;-) What also fascinates me is that those jetboats (passenger capacity of 14) can operate on just ten centimetres of water. The trip starts in the more open area of the Shotover, so photos can be taken - which you can purchase after the trip ;-) Then you race through the narrowest part of the gorge with high rock walls on both sides, and then into a wider stretch of the river where a lot of spins are performed. The driver gives some explanations and tells stories of the gold rush sites, as the Shotover was the world's second richest gold area in the 1800s, after the Klondyke. Since 1970 more than two million passengers have been thrilled by the world's most exciting ride. So it is wise to book the tour in advance, especially in summer, and not just show up as you might miss out if you cannot try again the next day. When going on a jetboat ride in lower temperatures it is wise to wear warm clothes and a beanie as the wind can be very chilly. However, as the exhaust runs through the handlebars to which you cling at least during the 360 degree spins, those handlebars warm your hands in a surprisingly simple way. The current price for the ride (as April 2007) is NZ$ 99 (children 5 to 15yrs $59). If you go on a second ride within 5 days of the first and book it immediately you pay only $59 for the second ride. Address: Shotover Jet Beach, Gorge Rd, Arthurs Point, Q'tnPhone: (03) 442 8570, (0800) 746 868Directions: From Queenstown take Gorge Road towards Arrowtown. Arthurs Point is 6km from the town centre. Coming from SH6A drive downhill towards the town centre until the roundabout where you turn right to Arrowtown.Website: www.shotoverjet.com Other Contact: info@shotoverjet.co.nz
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Queenstown
on January 2, 2006
on September 17, 2003
on March 19, 2006
on November 23, 2004
on August 28, 2006
on April 23, 2007
