We did a trip a few weeks ago with Johan down the river and back - what an amazing day out, great... read more
We did a trip a few weeks ago with Johan down the river and back - what an amazing day out, great... read more
Johan, Joyce and Kevin provide an exceptional experience in a unique part of New Zealand. We had... read more
I recently done this jet boat ride with family, I have been down this river and back two times and on one occasion we flew into The Waitutu Lodge by helicopter and had our 92 year old Mum along for the ride . I will return there is not a better jet boat trip any where in NZ quite like this travelling through pristine wilderness forest . You start of with a journey across mystical lake Hauroko then down this wild fast flowing river to the southern ocean. You will find the Waitutu lodge at the river mouth, the caretaker hosts of the lodge are Peter and Rose and their lovely dog Sofia will greet you. The accomodation is basic but very comfortable. A great place to escape the daily grind . Your hosts on this incredible trip are Johann and Joyce. The knowledge and deep insight that Johann has for this incredible area is priceless, you will learn so much from this man about the nature and history of the region all explained with a very dry humour. Joyce and Johann commitment also the the ecology of the area is to be commended; with their on going trapping of feral pests that are eliminating a lot of bird life. Do yourself a favour take this incredible journey .
Hi.
Thanks for your great review. I could use you, to write our next brochure:-)
I’ll pass on your kind words to Johan.
Hopefully we will see you again on one of our Adventures.
Kind Regards and safe travels
Joyce
Wairaurahiri Jet
A NZ wilderness adventure from start to finish. Don't miss this one, it's worth every cent. Beautiful native bush, a rocking and rolling jet boat ride, and barbequed venison for lunch at a quirky lodge on the isolated South coast. Wonderful!
Hi
Thank you for your review. It is truly a awesome place we’re we get to work and play in. Thanks for giving us the opportunity to show it off to you:-)
Safe Travels
Kind Regards
Johan and Joyce
Wairaurahiri Jet
Last week, I set out to go for a walk along Lake Hauroko. In the carpark, I met Johan, co-owner along with his wife Joyce, of Wairaurahiri Jet. He told me that there was an opening available on his jet boat excursion that day, and just like that, my plans for the day had changed. For, what I can assume was, the best. For the next 6 hours, I learned about local flora, fauna, and history, while exploring New Zealand’s deepest lake, and traveling down a rapid filled river till we reached the sea. Along the way, there were a couple stops for us to stretch our legs and get more insider knowledge about the area. Then, we breaked for lunch. Johan dropped us off at the beach to explore, while he went off to prepare lunch. Normally when you go on one of these half day excursions, if lunch is even provided, it's something in the way of ham and cheese sandwiches and apple slices. Not with Wairaurahiri Jet. This was a full spread. A cheese platter to start with, followed by meats, salads, and other sides. We even got a complimentary bevvie. I was blown away. Then it was back on the boat, with two added travelers (they had pack rafted down the day before, and had arranged transport with Johan to head back with us). This time, there were no stops. Just lots of fast-paced twists and turns back up the river to the dock where we’d first started. New Zealand has numerous jet boat excursions on offer, many in adventure-packed Queenstown just a few hours away, and although I haven’t gone on any of those trips, I can’t imagine them being better than the one I went on with Wairaurahiri Jet. Wairaurahiri Jet offers other services, like transport to and from the Dusky Track. I definitely plan on getting in touch with Johan for boat transport in the future. Truly an awesome day!
Hi, Thanks for your great review. I'm pleased you where in the right place at the right time. Best wishes for your summer in Fiordland. Cheers, Johan.
Great service from Joyce and Johan across Lake Hauroko at the end of the Dusky Track. The booking process was easy and they were quick to respond to my phone message (they are often out of signal on the lake/river) and by email. It's a great service for trampers in the area and I liked that Joyce always takes the time to note in the hut book when she will be back next, so that any trampers who have not booked will know when to expect the next boat (they only run the trampers service if they have booking so definitely call ahead).
I was also lucky enough to experience the jetboat ride down the Wairaurahiri all the way from Lake Hauroko to the South Coast! This is an amazing untouched part of fiordland which is fantastic to explore by jetboat as you can be the only people for miles around - much more of a wilderness experience that any other jet boating I have done around Wanaka and Queenstown.
Highly recommended for both track transport and as an activity in this stunning corner of NZ!
Hi,
Thanks for your kind words. Its great to get feed back on our Dusky track service and the Wairaurahiri Jet, Thanks:-)
Hopefully we will see you again some time
Safe travels.
Warm Regards
Johan and Joyce.
Well worth the money and a thrill to be where it would take me days to walk there and back. Lovely couple. Delicious venison and salads for lunch. Learnt about NZ birds bush and conservation. Best way to go out for lunch in all New Zealand.
Hi,
Thanks for your comments,
Boating in and out sure does save time on the legs:-)
I hope you come back sometime.
Safe Travels and thanks for your kind words.
This boat trip was every penny worth it! It is a 6 hours trip over the deepest lake in New Zealand and then down the Wairaurahiri river with a few stops a long the way. We were able to spot a deer and learned about the protection work in the fjordland areas. We were stunned by the BBQ venison lunch down at the waitutu lodge, Johan is a really good host and cook. We had a marvelous time and would highly recommend their tour! Especially if you're not keen on crowded and busy places. The river tour has everything New Zealand nature has to offer.
Hi.
Thanks so much for your kind words
Johan is a great host.
His enjoyment of the area, he gets to call his office, shows with his passion for the wild Wairaurahiri and the surrounding area.
Thanks again for your review.
Kind regards and safe travels
Joyce and Johan