*From 1 October prices are: $209 for adults and $184 for kids
60 Grade 3
~2 hours
11 years
| Season | Dates | Departure Times |
|---|---|---|
| Summer | 1 November - 31 March | 9:00am and 2:00pm |
| April | 1 April - 30 April | 9:00am and 1:00pm |
| Winter | 1 May - 31 October | 12:00 noon |
📍 The Rafting Centre, 133 Atirau Rd, Tūrangi
Need a ride from Taupō? We offer a shuttle service for afternoon trips – $69 per person. Contact us to add it.
The most fun you’ll have in Taupō – take on 60 heart-pounding, Grade 3 roller coaster rapids on the Tongariro River with an expert guide at the helm. More rapids in one stretch than anywhere else in New Zealand.
You’ll start with an on-shore safety briefing and paddle session with one of our experienced guides. Then you and your crew hit the water, navigating 13km of the river’s most exhilarating stretches. Grade 3 is the sweet spot: big thrills, genuine adrenaline, no extreme experience required.
Along the way you’ll pass through scenery only accessible by raft – towering volcanic cliffs, native bush, and the chance to spot endangered Whiō (blue ducks) resting along the banks.
Active participation is required. You’ll need to follow paddle commands and safety instructions throughout the trip. If you have specific needs or aren’t sure if this trip is right for you, get in touch before booking.
We’re only 45 minutes from Taupō or Ruapehu and easy to find in Tūrangi.
We get started at our Tūrangi rafting base where our friendly crew will fit you with safety gear, including wetsuit and extra layers to keep you warm.
A swimsuit and towel are all you need to bring – we take care of everything else. You can leave all of your belongings at our base; office staff would be happy to look after your valuables behind the counter so you know your gear is safe while you are out on the water.
If you’ve never rafted before, our article breaks down everything you need to know about rafting on the Tongariro.
We head to the banks of the beautiful Tongariro River for an on-shore briefing with your awesome Rafting Guide. You’re in good hands: our super-passionate, experienced guides will coach your team to paddle like a well-oiled machine before you know it.
Unforgettable adventures await as you navigate 60 rapids in a 13km stretch – more rapids in one stretch than anywhere in New Zealand.
The Tongariro River’s Grade 3 rapids are perfect for first-time rafters: thrills and spills galore without any extreme drops requiring experience.
Your pulse will be racing and your senses will be overloaded with all sorts of awesome. When you’re in the moment – just you, your fellow rafters and the thundering water, you’ll truly understand why white water rafting is so addictive.
We love nothing more than seeing the excitement on your face as you conquer the white water rapids of the Tongariro. We’ll take plenty of photos for you, so you can see for yourself and share with your friends.
Paddle through the very heart of the Great Lake Taupō region, enjoying stunning scenery you can only access by water. Towering pine forests, native bush and volcanic cliffs surround you on your epic Tongariro River journey.
Discover New Zealand wildlife around every bend: look out for Whiō, our endangered blue ducks, resting along the river banks. Spot giant New Zealand trout swimming below you – so big they are known to feast on a mouse or two!
Soaked to the skin and grinning from ear to ear, return to our base to get changed. Trip photos and video can be purchased at the front desk.
Your rafting guide is a massive part of the experience – and our guides are the best in the business: highly skilled, friendly and super supportive.
Ready to get on the water?
None at all. Our Grade 3 trip is designed for first-timers and experienced rafters alike. A moderate level of fitness is recommended – you need to be able to follow paddle commands and safety instructions throughout. You’ll get a full safety briefing and coaching session before you hit the water.
Just swimwear, a towel, and any emergency medication you may need (including asthma inhalers, EpiPens, heart medication or insulin). We supply everything else – wetsuit, polar fleece, splash jacket, river shoes, helmet, and life jacket. In colder months we also provide socks and gloves.
The full experience is around 4 hours from check-in to finish. You’ll spend 2-2.5 hours on the water, rafting 13km of the Tongariro River.
For our Grade 3 White Water trip, the minimum age is 11-12 years with 1:1 adult supervision, and 13 years and over unsupervised. For younger children, our Grade 2 Family Rafting trip is available from age 5 with adult supervision.
Rain does not normally impact our trips. Light or moderate rain – your trip goes ahead and you’ll still have an amazing time; after all, you’re on a river and getting wet is part of the experience. Heavy, prolonged rain leading to unsafe conditions may result in cancellation for your safety – in which case we will contact you, reschedule, or provide a full refund.
Yes. Our team capture photos throughout your trip, available for purchase at the base when you return.
Yes – we welcome non-swimmers. You’ll be wearing a life jacket at all times and our guides are trained in water safety and rescue. Just let your guide know before you head out so they can look after you throughout the trip.
Grade 3 is the middle of the rafting scale – genuinely thrilling with real rapids, but no extreme drops or technical skills required. It’s widely considered the sweet spot for first-timers: exciting enough to be memorable, safe enough for anyone in reasonable health. Our guides will coach you through everything before you hit the water.
Just swimwear under your wetsuit – we supply all the gear. Bring a towel and a change of clothes for afterwards. Leave jewellery and valuables at home or in our secure storage at the base. Don’t forget any emergency medication you may need.
Yes – we have clean, modern changing rooms at our Tūrangi base where you can change before and after your trip. Please note we do not have showers onsite. Leave your belongings safely in our secure storage while you’re on the water.
We’re based at The Rafting Centre, 133 Atirau Road, Tūrangi – just off State Highway 1 on the south side of town, about 45 minutes from Taupo. We offer pickups across Tūrangi town. If you need a pickup from Taupo, please contact us directly to discuss options. Find us on Google Maps.
You can book online through our booking page, by phone on 0800 10 10 24, or by emailing info@trr.co.nz. We recommend booking in advance to secure your spot, especially during peak times, weekends, and school holidays.
If you booked directly with us, our cancellation policy is set out on our terms and conditions page. If you booked through a third party provider, please refer to their cancellation policy.
We take up to seven people plus a guide in each raft. If you’re after a private rafting experience, please contact us directly.
Yes – we are GoPro friendly and have GoPro mounts on our helmets. No handheld or chest mounts please.
We’re rated 5 stars on Google and ranked #1 for rafting on the North Island on TripAdvisor – so we’ll let our guests answer that one. The Tongariro offers more Grade 3 rapids in one stretch than anywhere else in New Zealand, and our guides have been running the river since 1990. Most people tell us it was the highlight of their New Zealand trip.
