Shallow twisting streams, Turquoise Blue water, Nor-west arch, Swaying broom, the mighty Waimakariri has it all. Alpine Jet Thrills have been showing thousands of international tourists and locals the many fascinating scenes in one of New Zealand’s newest regional parks.
In 2021 Alpine Jet Thrills were endorsed with Qualmark Gold due to their efforts toward sustainability and business innovation. They are the only Canterbury jet boat operator to be endorsed to this level.
Jet Boating is a truly unique way of seeing the Waimakariri River’s lower braided river system. Constantly changing and ever challenging. The Alpine Jet Thrills drivers speed and spin in places sometimes only centimetres deep. Their Hamilton Jet boats make short work of the swift flowing river as it rushes from the Southern Alps to the Sea.
Alongside their jet boat operation Alpine Jet Thrills also operate New Zealand’s only AirBoat ‘Air Force 2’ just like the ‘gator huntin’ AirBoats in the Everglades in Florida, USA.
Air Force 2 is operated at the Braided Shallows location at the Waimakariri Regional Park – other locations by arrangement.
The translation of Waimakariri is cold water. This makes it very popular for salmon and trout fishing. On any of the tours provided by Alpine Jet Thrills it is possible to see the many examples of birdlife that make this area their home – Wrybills, Spur-Winged Plover and Black Shag.
Four tours are available 7 days a week from the exciting 30 minute ‘Braided Blast’ and the 60 minute ‘Blast Plus’ to the 90 minute Jet Trek a combination of Horse Trek and ‘Braided Blast’ with the Waimak River Riding Centre. If you want to get off the ground to see some more of the river and surrounding area then the Heli Jet is definitely the way to do it.
Alpine Jet Thills operates daily from Hamilton Quay, below the State Highway 1 Bridge 20 minutes north of Christchurch City Centre.
