Discover remote pristine river environments and the very best of New Zealand's South Island Wilderness. Guided by professional hosts who have spent years unearthing the most scenic and remote wilderness areas otherwise unvisitable. Develop outdoor skills and awareness, switch off from work and reconnect with family and friends and most importantly yourself. Enjoy a professionally organised expedition from start to finish, a truly life changing and highly unique experience far from the beaten track.
Arrive into Queenstown
Choose through us how you arrive in Queenstown
We will ensure your travel preferences are in keeping with the arrangements we have made for you and we will make it easy to maximise the experiences you have chosen through us.
If you have arrived a day or two prior to your expedition adventure, opt for our specially curated self-drive journey and explore the hidden gems and secluded spots of Queenstown and its surrounds. We will arrange for a comfortable and spacious 4×4 vehicle to be dropped off to you for you to simply jump in and drive!
Allow us to take you on a journey of the most fantastic and scenic areas of the region, all details organised for you to enjoy and discover. Allow us to incorporate those ‘wish-list’ experiences you’ve always wanted to do but never had the time, so we can create long-lasting memories and a truly personalised journey to maximise your stay in Queenstown. See below for a sneak peak at an example self-drive itinerary to add on to your expedition adventure.
Day 1. Queenstown to Lake Hauroko
Our very experienced, local and professional guides will personally greet you at your luxury accommodation for an early morning departure to Lake Hauroko. Sit back and relax as your guides get to know you over a 3 & 1/2 hour scenic trip taking in the best sights of Lake Wakatipu and travelling through iconic New Zealand towns such as Kingston, home to the Kingston Flyer.
Once arrived at Lake Hauroko, one of New Zealand’s most picturesque and deepest Lakes, equipment will be loaded on-board a jet boat before traversing the lake to your overnight campsite. Take time in the afternoon to experience paddle-boarding, sharpen your fishing skills or simply enjoy the tranquillity of being in natures backyard.
Enjoy a beautiful and comfortable evening in tipi tents fitted with stretchers and pillows. Tuck into a hearty evening meal and be ready for what day two brings.
Day 2. Waitutu Hut
Wake to the sound of nature, a filling breakfast and prepare for departure from your overnight campsite. All gear loaded, begin a 30km raft down the South Coast with a scenic lunch stop to refuel and recharge.
Arriving at Waitutu Hut and unloading the rafts, explore by land and take a hike to enjoy views of Stewart Island marvelling at the ancient primeval beech forest.
Your guides will prepare a delicious evening meal as you share a summary of a fantastic day spent exploring.
Day 3. Return to Queenstown
After your last wilderness breakfast, camp is packed up for the last time before a short walk along the South Coast track.
After lunch your jet boat will collect you and whisk you back up the Wairaurahiri River and across Lake Hauroko to the awaiting vehicles.
Enjoy a stop for a fresh-from-the sea blue cod meal in the local Otautau Pub before continuing back to Queenstown.
Day 4. Queenstown Departure
Wow, an exhilarating, challenging but hugely rewarding experience like no other over an exciting three day – two-night wilderness expedition in which you will know Queenstown much more intimately. Of course, your experience with us does not have to end here!
We can extend your stay in the region by curating a truly memorable journey that you, your partner, your family and friends will cherish for many years. Allow us through our extensive networks, to share with you the best local businesses, picturesque spots, hidden gems in small towns and forgotten history rich in the Queenstown region to show you the ‘real’ Queenstown, the ‘real’ people and the ‘real’ culture of the region that welcomes you as their own, you will never want to leave.
We can’t wait to see you there!
This experience provides the opportunity to embark on an expedition and paddle exhilarating white water rapids, with experienced guides and without the inherent risks associated with higher grade rivers. The Wairaurahiri is a grade 2 river, but due to its gradient, it offers exceptionally enjoyable, bouncy and exciting rapids set amongst some of the most remote and beautiful wilderness environments in New Zealand.
Departing from Queenstown, you’ll be transferred to Lake Houroko, where you will meet a waiting jet boat to transfer you across to your campsite for the first evening.
Here, your experienced guide will establish camp while you hike and explore, or fish from the lake side.
This evening will be spent sitting round the roaring campfire, sharing stories and pleasantly anticipating the following days’ fun and adventures.
The next morning your guides will prepare the rafts, then load and strap all the equipment into them prior to commencing the journey. Leaving the lake and entering the river is sedate and peaceful initially, before becoming bumpier, as you float through the enjoyable and exhilarating class 2 rapid wave trains. Expect a truly empowering, gratifying and engaging day paddling and bouncing your way downstream, surrounded by lush, over-hanging rain forest – all viewed from the comfort of your raft.
In the afternoon your guide will pull into your camp for the night, which is a privately-owned hut, complete with the ultimate in back-country comfort necessities – flush toilets and hot showers!
A short stroll through the ancient rain forest will take you to the wild Southern Coast, where on clear days epic views of Stewart Island can be enjoyed as you explore this remote and inaccessible beach.
After a hearty breakfast and short walk along the South Coast Track, the jet boat will arrive to whisk you back upstream and across Lake Hauroko to the vehicles waiting to take you back to Queenstown.
For those who have more time, opt for a raft in and hike out expedition. Days 1 and 2 remain as per the itinerary above, day 3 depart on the first leg of a hike to Port Craig campground (approx. 17 km). Arriving at Port Craig Lodge, a beautiful private accommodation with showers and facilities.
Relax, hike, explore and swim in the sea (possibilities of seeing dolphins) and enjoy this beautiful remote location before an evening dinner cooked by you guides.
On Day 4, wake to a fulfilling breakfast before departing on the final leg of the hike out to the trail end near Tuatapere (approx. 20km). Arrive at the road end where vehicles await before transfer to Queenstown, stopping at the Otautau pub for a freshly caught Blue Cod meal.
Paul Nicholson
Paul is Fresh Adventures’ Head of Enthusiasm, meticulous planner and procedures specialist. A motivational speaker, instructor, facilitator, guide, and South Island travel guru, he has co-founded Fresh Adventures with his Wanaka mate/neighbour/fellow wilderness appreciator Bob McLachlan.
Paul’s inspirational energy shines through every Fresh Adventures’ experience, whether he’s guiding in person or ensuring everything is ship-shape behind the scenes. His happy place is in supporting every individual to strive for their personal and professional best, a theme echoed throughout his action-packed career.
Paul’s a roll-your-sleeves-up-get-involved kind of guy and his journey began over 20 years ago in the 1990s at Methven Lodge. Here, Paul laid the foundations for his own brand of adrenaline-fuelled self- development, sending his backpackers on their way with more than the usual stones upturned. Out of this grew Rock + Ice Adventures, which sealed Paul’s reputation as the maestro of intense immersions in the natural world.
The fruits of this passion became the hugely successful Full On, founded in 2002. It grew to become a hub of Personal Empowerment Programmes dedicated to unearthing the true potential of the individual, operating at sites all around the world. Paul has forged a presence with corporate teams seeking impactful, imaginative courses and with individuals and their families for whom real adventure is about full-hearted participation.
In addition to his vast experience, Paul is a qualified ski instructor and heli ski touring guide; a rafting and bush craft guide; and a rock-climbing instructor. To this, he adds over 12 years of extensive training and certification in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). For Paul, the challenges and rewards of adventure provide peerless metaphors for life, in which every individual deserves to give their best shot.
Bob McLachlan
Paddling some form of boat has formed the cornerstone of Fresh Adventures’ co-founder Bob McLachlan’s life, as he grew up kayaking, before embarking on a career as a professional raft guide. Living the endless summer dream, he worked on some of the world’s most beautiful rivers, where he upgraded his skills and also his treasure trove of stories. Ask him to spin you a yarn about paddling Pavarotti down the river; chatting about life with Clint Eastwood, or Tom Petty; and what having the LA Philharmonic Orchestra on-board a raft in a canyon sounded like!
Bob turned his ‘day job’ into a sport and rafted competitively – winning New Zealand, Australasian and world championship titles in teams. His ‘down-time’ was spent on pioneering kayak missions descending remote and difficult stretches of water, where he earned himself the nickname Big Water Bob!
It is a rare sighting to find Bob behind a desk and he has spent his lifetime outdoors – where his ‘office’ was ever-changing – working internationally as a trekking, mountain biking, sea kayaking and canyoning guide.
Over the past decade, Bob has channelled all that experience into adventure racing around the globe and in 2017 became a world champ, winning the Cowboy Tough World Adventure Racing Championships in Wyoming, United States, with the all-Kiwi Team Seagate. Alongside Fresh Adventures, Bob runs his own business providing training programmes, plus coaching for multi-sport and adventure racing athletes and specialising in multi-sport kayak tuition.
The kind of practical man you would be happy to be stranded on a deserted island with, Bob is a qualified guide in rafting, pack rafting, stand-up paddle boarding, and hiking. He also holds advanced first aid qualifications.
Bob is a firm favourite with clients. An experienced and intuitive guide, he is passionate about guiding wilderness adventures that leave a lasting impression. He loves nothing more than helping clients escape their daily, stressful routines – down their mobile phones – and share good-for-the-soul outdoors experiences with their friends, family or colleagues. Although Bob’s emphasis is on enjoyment – professionalism and safety are at the forefront of all Fresh Adventures.
Fresh Adevntures specialise in world-class wilderness experiences in New Zealand’s beautiful backyard.
Regulated access is crucial to preserve these environments. Through a combination of committed investment and a proven respect for the land, Fresh Adventures possesses more exclusive location permits than any other New Zealand operator and, for certain areas, is sole concessionaire.
Together with the stringent safety licensing we hold– plus accreditation for every activity imaginable, from pack rafting and rock climbing through to glacier walking– this means we’re often able to host experiences quite literally unavailable elsewhere.
We regard these exclusive permissions as a huge privilege, both for us and for our clients. We’re guests of these lands and students of their teachings.
“I am a father, a husband, a son, brother, uncle, grandson and friend. These people are important to me, just as every person I am responsible for during Fresh Adventure experiences has people who are important to them back home. Life is precious, and this is what motivates me most when it comes to our approach to managing safety.” – Paul Nicholson, Founder
Travel halfway around the world when the best adventures can be had on home turf?
We offer quality, adventure expeditions (not technical, dangerous or with significant risk) in remote, great-outdoors environments. Think … hiking through breath-taking valleys; rafting rivers; climbing peaks; curling up in cozy huts; pitching tents; roasting marshmallows around a campfire … and sharing stories with your fellow adventurers. A Fresh Adventure is all the best things quintessentially Kiwi!
Run by top-notch professional guides and always involving a journey, our packages are chock-full of personality and authenticity. We take pride in ensuring they’re served with a generous dollop of wow-factor!
Our clients will finish a Fresh Adventure, feeling transformed by the challenging yet achievable experience. Wholesome, good for the soul and an opportunity to create epic memories – each one is once-in-a-lifetime special!
Except … you can do a fresh, Fresh Adventure again … and again … and again.
Extend your journey with us by choosing our excellently curated self-drive journey and explore Queenstown and its surrounds in a comfortable and spacious 4×4 vehicle, we will even arrange to have it dropped off to you! Take the path we have designed for you today to enjoy and discover our favourite hidden gems.
Begin your day by popping in to one of our many favourite local cafes for a freshly brewed hot drink of your choice, (Vudu Cafe & Larder, Yonder, Joe’s Garage, Bespoke Kitchen and Halo Forbidden Bite our our personal favourites) before taking the road out of Queesntown along State Highway 6 for a 20-minute drive to Lake Hayes.
Arrive for the perfect photo opportunity of a mirror-like lake, time to stretch your legs and breath in the fresh air. Whatever you do, don’t google this place before you arrive as to not spoil its unfathomable beauty. Beautiful trees and mountain views will have you pining for lake-side living.
Continue along the Lake Hayes-Arrowtown road for a further 5 minutes, passing Millbrook Resort before arriving in the charming old gold rush village of Arrowtown. Take your time to wander through the streets and explore the local shops and businesses that host an increddible array of Art’s & Craft’s, fashion, New Zealand wool, outdoors wear, wine, gold-rush inspired jewellery and many more. Oh and did we mention the Remarkable Sweet shop? An essential for classic Kiwi car snacks and quite possibly the best fudge in New Zealand.
After an enchanting visit, take a scenic 55-minute drive to Wanaka via Cardrona along the Crown Range road. A chance to visit the local distillery for that perfect artisan spirit to tuck into later-on and a photo opportunity at the famous Cardrona hotel.
Arriving in Wanaka, take time to enjoy lunch together and explore the town’s lakefront. Be sure to find the most photographed tree in New Zealand before driving to the Wanaka Lavender Farm. Be surrounded by the brightest fields of lavender and meet the friendly farm animals including the onsite Alpaca’s and Highland cows. Be sure to check out their magnificent shop full of Lavender Goodies and Lakes Honey delights. Don’t forget this is an opportunity to support your local farms and maybe consider buying some treats for your evening of relaxation.
Stomachs full and sense’s delighted, take the road out of Wanaka travelling through Luggate (be sure to ask us about stopping to view the Grand View bridge) along the Luggate-Cromwell road on a beautiful 55 minute drive, stopping along the Kawarau Gorge Road at the Roaring Meg power station. Be sure to bring your coat in the winter months, this impressive lookout packs quite a cold punch!
Continuing along the Kawarau Gorge Road, travel through the Gibbston Valley with cameras at the ready. Ask us about the gorgeous valley wineries and we will arrange something extra special just for you.
Continue into Queesntown after an incredible day of exploration, local delicacies and one the best self-drive route you’ll ever take.
August 21st – 23rd
September 18th – 20th
October 30th – November 1st
November 27th – 29th
This is an experience that has been designed to take the heavy lifting out of trying to decide where to go and what to do. Instead Love My New Zealand makes it easy within our huge network of premium partners along with our superb hosting skills to deliver an already designed journey that you can simply go and enjoy. Here is what we include for you and just so you know what may not be included.
Expedition Experience
The Wairaurahiri is a 3 day expedition including raft in and jet boat out. This can be extended to a 4 day 3 night journey to suit your schedule and capabilities.
Airport Meet and Greet and Hotel Transfer
Your guides will personally greet you on your arrival to Queenstown and ensure your transport to your luxury accommodation runs smoothly followed by an introduction and overview of itinerary, equipment sizing and other important aspects of your expedition.
Expedition Transfer
Transport to and from your expedition departure point in a luxury Mercedes Sprinter to ensure your comfort and safety.
Professional Guides
Paul and Bob will be your professional guides for the duration of your expedition from hotel meet and greet, to expedition briefing, camp set up and experience activities. You could not be in better, more capable and enthusiastic hands.
Meals
All food is included during your expedition from lunch on your first day, to a hearty fish and chips on the final day. After so much adrenaline and energy, you can’t beat a Kiwi classic meal.
Expedition Camping
Tipi tents will be used as your accommodation / sleeping arrangement for the first evening followed by a private hut on your second evening. All equipment and sleeping bags is provided for you to rug up, tuck up and enjoy a peaceful sleep in the wilderness.
Safety and Raft Equipment
(I’ll send through a very detailed inclusions list in due course, however its fully inclusive and will have plenty of surprise and delights)
What’s Not Included?
Price Per Adult Shown in NZD inclusive of GST:
3 day / 2 night expedition including raft and jet boat return – $2, 499 per person
Q. Are there any age restrictions?
A. 10 years and older is the recommended age limit, with a precursor being that expedition’s involve long days (roughly 5 hours paddling) and that kids need to be willing to be on a raft for up to 5 hours.
Q. Fitness requirements?
A. A reasonable level of fitness is required for the 3 day raft and jet boat return option – in so much that folk need to sit on a raft for most of the day and contribute to paddling.
For those interested in extended their journey to a 4 day raft and hike out option, a moderate level of fitness is required as the 3rd day involves 17kms walking and the final (4th) day involves 20kms of walking. You would also be required to carry a personal back pack with personal clothes etc.
Nb: Sand flies can be problematic, however bug spray is supplied for the duration.
Q. What if the weather is unfavourable?
A. The river for this expedition remains at grade 2 despite exceptional flow. Therefore a contingency expedition would be likely run because of unfavourable weather conditions. If this is the case in the event of a cold wet southerly, your guides will take you further north and look at an alternative river option where the Southerly for example would not have reached. Paul and Bob are highly experienced and adaptable in taking you on an exceptional expedition with their knowledge of the regional rivers, hiking tracks and camping areas. In the event the planned Wairaurahiri could not go ahead, you can trust in Paula and Bob that their solution will not fall short of your expectations.
Q. Examples of Contingency plans?
A. A Contingency Plan would be first and foremost a multi day raft trip on another river, options including; Ahuriri River – in Lindis Pass area or Hawea and Clutha in the Wanaka area. If a contingency trip is operated any unused money (eg jet boats or helicopters) will be returned. If for whatever reason a river contingency isn’t practical, a suitable tramp based expedition will be offered and again all unused monies from the contingency refunded.
Q. What kind of food can we expect during the expedition?
A. Food depends upon the weather and forecast. Ideally your fabulous guides will cook outside on an open fire at least one of the nights including BBQ style with fine cuts of meats and pre packed salads, or a big stew cooked in a large pot – again over the fire. At the final lodge, your guides will really go to town and cook up a storm – believe it or not a roast lamb/chicken is usually really enjoyed by people. Breakfast will be a gourmet porridge mix and or bacon and eggs. Vegetarian, vegan and food allergies are all catered for.
Q. What gear do I need to bring?
A. All rafting and camping equipment is supplied for you, here is an example list:
A detailed list of personal items will be sent to you upon booking as a guide for what to bring and what not to bring. Polypropylene / merino long under pants or tops and mid layers are not supplied. Items such as waterproof jackets and pants, walking footwear, quick drying underwear, trousers, shorts / swimwear, camp clothing and hats are highly advised.
Making Your Way By Jet Boat
Ready To Raft
Meet Paul And Bob
Professional and Practical Guides
A Private Escape
Discover Queenstown Credit Major Domo
Safe And Quality Gear
Expedition Style Camp
Cheers To An Amazing Journey
An Exhilarating Experience
Warm Relaxation On The Beach
Hot And Hearty Food
Take In The Sights
Lake Wakatipu Credit Tourism New Zealand
Glide Across Smooth Lakes
The Picturesque Glenorchy Credit Miles Holden
