In 1954, a man called Sir William Hamilton designed a boat that would be capable of navigating fast-flowing, shallow waters in the sheep-rearing high country of the south island. Some years on, jet boating is one of New Zealand’s biggest adventure tourism attractions, and one of the most scenic is the Huka Falls Jet.
WHY TRY JET BOATING?
Not only do jetboats negate the need for propellers, which can be damaged easily on rocks in shallow water, but they are highly maneuverable, which makes them a huge amount of fun to play around in!
Jet boating tends to be on offer in regions with stunning natural scenery too. Huka Falls are a massive tourist attraction in their own right.
WHAT HAPPENS ON A HUKA FALLS JET RIDE?
For half an hour, you’re taken along winding rivers, dodging tree branches and cliff faces by inches, until you reach the falls. The jetboat can reach speeds of 80 km/h.
After splashing around in the white water close to the bottom of Huka Falls, you return the way you came, spinning in circles at high gravitational forces as you go. It’s great fun and an experience you shouldn’t miss while you’re in the county.
DAILY TRIPS
HukaFalls Jet runs every day of the year except Christmas day, so, for the colder months, they supply a long, attractive waterproof for you to wear under your life jacket.
HUKA FALLS JET TIPS
– Bear in mind that the waterproof will block access to any pockets you had intended to protect your camera in while the boat is swinging around in circles. I finished up with a GoPro between my legs as I grasped the heated handles of the boat and I was concerned I might lose it.
– Also note that you’re not permitted to video the experience but photos are fine. They will provide photo and/or DVD personalised packages for purchase.
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Huka Falls is the most visited natural site in New Zealand, so why not see it in style?!
GETTING TO TAUPO
Intercity Buses provide services to Taupo from the following popular destinations (rough times in brackets): Rotorua (1 hour); Hamilton (3 hours); Auckland (5.5 hours); Wellington (6 hours). Further transfers are available from these locations. Use the tool below to search for specific journeys or click through to their home page for more information on bus passes and a wide range of scenic tours.
WHERE TO STAY
There are plenty of backpacker hostels in Taupo and you won’t have to walk far from the bus stop to find them. I spent a couple of nights in X Base, which was a bit of a party place, but with great facilities. If you’re not in the mood for dressing like a Christmas tree in July, you can simply keep your distance from the bar next door!
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I was a guest of HukaFalls Jet. They did not request that I write a favourable review and any opinions expressed here are my own.
You can follow my Kiwi adventures on Twitter via the hashtag #ScaredBritless or check out my Facebook updates here. For more information about travelling in New Zealand, visit 100% Pure New Zealand.
Well you beat me to it – I was going to write on this next! I had never considered jet boating but it was an exhilarating experience
Christina recently posted..Livin’ it up in Rotorua: Skyline gondola and luge
I think we probably did a similar route! But I skipped the gondola and luge in Rotorua :)
That jet boat looks like an incredibly fun way to see the falls! I’ll have to look into if there are any jet boat opportunities in Canada!
Alex @ Searching for Happy recently posted..Making space for new things to grow
It’s great! Unbelievable how close they come to the cliffs and branches. Hope you find a place to try it closer to home!
Wow! I wonder if they have these boats anywhere outside of New Zealand… though I would be a bit nervous riding one on say, the Mekong, on one of those boats ran by the locals. Maybe they should stay in 1st world countries… Looks awesome!!
Jeff Travels recently posted..3 Days Exploring the Mythical Temples of Angkor- A Must See in Cambodia!
They have them in Australia. I’ve never seen them anywhere else, but would be surprised if they didn’t exist elsewhere.
HukaFalls Jet looks like a lot of fun! Love your rainbow shot!
memographer recently posted..Stranger Portraits from Archived Thailand
Thanks! Only the second outing for my GoPro! Rainbows are everywhere in New Zealand!
I wasn’t all that thrilled with jet boating in Queenstown but it could have just been the outfit I went with. Looks like good fun up in Taupo though!
I thought it was really good actually. I can imagine some are way more tame than others. I heard that the Shotover is the best one to do in Queenstown. Apparently it lasts a lot less time than some of the other companies, but is much crazier and you get a lot wetter too.
This definitely seems like a tame adventure that’s right up my alley! It sounds like a lot of fun, although I wonder if I’d get motion sick. Feel free to link up as part of Wanderlust Wednesday which I’m hosting on my blog. Click on my post below for details.
Dana Carmel @ Time Travel Plans recently posted..Cappadocia: Selime Monastery
Haha. Be careful though – some of the jetboats aren’t that tame! It’s not on the same level as a bungy or skydive I guess. You can get a thrill but still enjoy the whole experience. I don’t think you’d get motion sick. You move to fast to sway much. I get sick on some boats, but not this one.
HI Ariawen,
This looks like a lot of fun. I haven’t heard of the Hamilton boatjet either. And Huka Falls looks spectacular. I’ll definitely want to see it your style when I visit NZ!
Marisol@TravelingSolemates recently posted..Jerash: The Rome of Jordan
Yeah, I think you get much better views of the falls from the bottom in a boat than from the walkway at the top. Plus the people who’d walked there looked super jealous of us :)
I have been on a similar boat when I saw the Iguacu Falls in Brazil. It was so much fun, I couldn’t stop laughing the entire trip.
TammyOnTheMove recently posted..Flashback Friday: How not to haggle at Otavalo Market
Really? I didn’t realise the Iguacu Falls boat was so much fun! I only had time to do the boardwalks when I was there at New Year.