Tongariro Thrills: Grade 3 Whitewater Rafting Adventure
Overview
Available languages
4 hours
Mobile ticket
Our Tongariro River expedition offers a unique blend of excitement and accessibility. Perfect for first-time rafters, the grade 3 rapids promise thrills and spills without the need for prior experience. Brace yourself as your pulse races and your senses are inundated with the sheer awesomeness of the journey.
In the midst of thundering waters, surrounded only by your fellow adventurers, you'll discover the addictive allure of white water rafting firsthand.
But the adventure doesn't end there. Paddle through the picturesque landscapes of the Great Lake Taupō region, where towering pine forests, native bush, and volcanic cliffs form the backdrop to your journey. Keep your eyes peeled for rare sightings of Whio, the endangered blue ducks, nesting along the river banks, and marvel at the colossal New Zealand trout gliding beneath you – some so large they've been known to snack on a passing mouse or two!
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
You'll meet at the Rafting Centre and get kitted out in all the gear you need for rafting, all you need to bring is swimsuit, towel and any kind of emergency medication including but not limited to asthma inhaler, epi pen, heart medication etc We supply helmets, wetsuits, (gloves, fleece and boots in winter) and provide an in-depth safety briefing before we drive to the entry point on the river. Once we're on the river, we'll navigate 14kms of the Tongariro River which includes approximately 60 different rapids. You'll be shown how to paddle and your guide will provide instructions the whole way to ensure you're comfortable, safe and having a fabulous time. At the end of the trip, you'll be transported back to the Rafting Centre to get changed, take a look at the video and photos taken and swap notes with your new rafting friends.
What‘s Included
Wetsuit, helmet, river shoes, gloves and fleece (seasonal)
Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
Options
Tongariro Thrills: Grade 3 Whitewater Rafting Adventure
Reviews
37 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Adrenaline‑Filled Rafting with Great Teamwork and Expert Guidance
Q3887UGscottb,,Jan 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an incredible white‑water rafting experience with Tongariro River Rafting—easily one of the highlights of our trip. The journey down the river covered an impressive 14 km and around 60 rapids, and it was thrilling from start to finish while always feeling well managed and safe. Our guide, Ethan, was outstanding. He was friendly, reassuring, fun, and incredibly engaging, and his clear, excellent instructions helped us work together as a team to safely navigate the river. He struck the perfect balance between professionalism and humour, which made the whole experience both exciting and confidence‑boosting. Everything was very well organised. All we needed to bring were our swimmers—shoes and wetsuits were supplied, making it easy and hassle‑free. A nice extra was that photos are taken on the final rapid, which you can purchase afterward as a great souvenir of the adventure. If you’re looking for an exhilarating, well‑run rafting experience with fantastic guides, we highly recommend Tongariro River Rafting.
Amazing - do it!!!
Sqddo,,Jan 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Highly recommend this - we were a group of 7, kids and adults, and everyone had a blast - even those who were a bit nervous to begin with. Ethan our guide was absolutely superb, so knowledgeable, happy to answer questions and honestly an all round top bloke. Everything you need is provided, you stay warm and toasty and even after jumping in the water (by choice) people were still warm for the remainder of the time on board. Considering the time spent with the crew it is great value for money. Definitely worth doing.
Best Family Experience
GlenandTrishR,,Jan 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00From the high energy greeting at the counter, to the clear instructions and briefing and right through to the end, this was the best family experience of our holiday! Ella our guide was super, taking us over the 60 rapids with skill, humour and a few twists and turns! For this mum age 48 , taking water loving teenage kids and hubby, the whole trip was a breeze to set up and then a fun time to the end!
Highlight of our trip to the north island
catwernas,,Jan 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our family of four (kids aged 12 and 15) had the best time white water rafting down the Tongariro River. The rapids were a good combination of thrilling but not too scary for kids. Our guide Rata was fantastic- patient, funny and did a great job guiding us down the river in a fun but safe way. The whole experience from start to finish was run smoothly and the clothing provided to us did a great job keeping us warm on the water. Thank you for an amazing day experience our family will remember for a long time.
Rafting with family
leisah2021,,Jan 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Beautiful scenery, expert guides to feel safe but fun! Well organised from start to finish. Recommend this experience
Fantastic Experience!
Andy B,,Dec 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00In our mid 50’s but young at heart my wife and I had such a great time with Tongariro River Rafting. The scenery is breathtaking, the grade 3 rapids the perfect balance of exciting without being too terrifying and the organisation, kit and briefing were all spot on. But above all, Julie, our Skipper was so much fun, capable and professional and made this an experience we will never forget. Thank you so much. Kia Ora!
Super wonderful white water rafting experience for my family
862waikuanc,,Dec 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My family had a wonderful white water rafting experience with Julie as our guide. My 3 teen daughters (age 11 to 16) had their first white water rafting experience here and they wanted to do a second raft again! I thoroughly enjoyed the scenery along the way and spotted some ducks in the river. Thank you to the whole team for making our North Island experience so memorable.
ABSOLUTELY THE BEST ONE IN NORTH ISLAND👻
Culture49329109380,,Nov 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The experience was fantastic! The whole rafting trip took about 3–4 hours and was incredibly fun — perfect for early summer! The guide was super cool and awesome! She shared a lot of info throughout the journey and worked really hard, which definitely elevated the overall experience! I might come back again with friends if I get the chance! P.S.: The gear they provided was excellent — no need to worry about getting cold or wet at all! 💯 P.P.S.: It would be even better if the photos were a bit more affordable.
Fantastic Experience!
kalyninamoran,,Oct 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Unbelievable experience rafting the river. The guides were exceptional with good helpful instructions for you to enjoy the grade 3 rapids. This is a must for anyone wanting adventure, knowledge of wildlife & conservation. A big thanks to the team at Tongariro for a great day! 😎
A must do
dimityl2024,,Jun 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.0020's to 12 Yeats old, had a fantastic time. The best experience in new Zealand. Great guides, professional services, lots of fun. The scenery was amazing, wet gear and soup at the end topped off the experience:) would highly recommend this company and experience. Well worth the price.
From NZ$199.00
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