What is rafting?
If you love the outdoors and want to do something special for your next holiday/vacation, then perhaps a rafting trip would be a good idea. White water rafting or what is simply known as rafting is a popular outdoor activity which makes use of an inflatable raft to navigate a body of water. Rapids are classified based on the conditions of the water. These classifications indicate how intense and difficult rafting can be in the particular river. Like other outdoor sports, rafting can be a dangerous activity if precautions are not taken. That is why it is usually undertaken in groups under the supervision of an experienced guide.
What safety standards does Inland Adventures follow?
At Inland Adventures your safety is our number one priority by doing everything we can to minimise and manage risks within the river environment. Our company complies with WorkSafe Adventure Activities Regulations and we are audited annually by AdventureMark to monitor this. The New Zealand rafting industry is respected as a world leader in rafting safety and we are proud to uphold that. Our guides are qualified raft guides, holding New Zealand rafting association awards. Our guides are experienced, having spent many seasons rafting both in New Zealand and overseas. Guides also attend biannual white water rescue workshops to keep current with industry practice.
Is rafting risky?
Rafting is an adventure activity which comes with a degree of risk. These risks increases with the grade of rapids which means on a grade 2-3 river accidents are less likely to happen than on grade 3-4 rivers. Saying that we take pride in our safety record and will do everything we can to minimise the risks for our clients. We will get you to sign that you have read the following statement before you come rafting to ensure you understand what you are getting yourself into!
"I understand that participation in rafting activities will expose me to risks including drowning, becoming entrapped, and collisions with other participants, rocks, and rafting equipment. The risks increases with the grade of rapids, and the commercial rafting operator cannot guarantee my safety on the river and driving to and from the river."
How environmental friendly is rafting?
At Inland Adventures the wilderness places we visit are our workplace. We have a huge respect for them. Inland Adventures hold a concession issued by the New Zealand Department of Conservation that allows us to take people into our local river environment. To operate on conservation land we are required to follow strict guidelines to conserve the pristine condition of the environment so people after us can enjoy these places just as we do.
Is rafting for me?
- It's ideal for exploring virgin landscapes along river ways. These are often inaccessible by road which make it a great activity for nature lovers.
- It is one of the more environmently friendly adventure activities you can participate in as you are not depleting natural resources when you engage in this activity.
- No experience is necessary. Our river expeditions are well suited for first timers.
- It's a great way to bond with friends and colleagues.
- It's cheaper compared to many other extreme sports.
Do I need to have rafted before?
No, a comprehensive safety and paddle briefing is provided at the beginning of all rafting trips.
How do I book a trip?
You can book and pay for some of trips directly from our website. If you have questions before you book or would like to come on a trip that can not be booked directly please fill out our inquiry form on our contact page. We will reply to your email address with more information.
Another option to make a booking is to give us a call. If you are in New Zealand you can call the free phone number 0508 RAFTING(723846) or if you are overseas you can reach Nathan on +6421 2360578.
We will need to know:
- Your contact information.
- The rafting trip(s) you are interested in.
- The number of people rafting in your group.
- The date(s) that you would like to go rafting.
Do I need to book ahead?
For multi-day trips, you must book ahead. For day trips it is not essential but is recommended as there are a limited number of places on each trip.
What medical conditions will normallly exclude me from going rafting with Inland Adventures?
- Pregnancy
- Uncontrolled epilepsy
- Uncontrolled diabetes
- Heart disease
- Stroke
Please share your medical conditions with us so we can ensure you have an enjoyable experence with us. If you are unsure if you can go rafting or not please do not hestitate to get in touch with us.
What are your cancellation terms?
If Inland Adventures cancel a raft trip for any reason, i.e due to unsuitable river conditions, you will receive a 100% refund. We have a maximum number of places on each trip. There will be a 10% fee of the total trip fare for any cancellation outside 72 hours of departure. Within 72 hours of intended departure time there will be a 100% trip fee for cancellations or no shows.
How do you protect my privacy when booking a trip?
We collect personal information from you, that may include:
- Name
- Contact information
- Ages
- Where you are from
- Dietary requirements
- Medical condition’s
- Billing or purchase information
We collect your personal information in order to:
- Know who's booking a trip and the age group we will be catering for.
- To be able to contact you with further information if needed or if trip is cancelled.
- To provide food you can eat.
- To limit medical conditions occurring on the trip.
- To take payment and able to provide refund if necessary.
You have the right to ask for a copy of any personal information we hold about you, and to ask for it to be corrected if you think it is wrong. If you’d like to ask for a copy of your information, or to have it corrected, please contact us at
What does the river section classification mean?
Grade 1: Flat moving water.
Grade 2: Small fun rapids. Suitable for family outings.
Grade 3: Medium sized rapids. Entertaining white water.
Grade 4: Large rapids. Gets the heart pumping.
Grade 5: Extreme white water, big drops. Not for the faint hearted.
Do you cater for dietary requirements?
Yes we do. However please let us know when booking your trip so we can plan for your needs in advance.
