Grade 2 - gentle rapids
1.5 hours
5 years with adult supervision
| Season | Dates | Departure Times |
|---|---|---|
| Summer | 1 November - 31 March | 10:30am and 3:30pm |
| April | 1 April - 30 April | 10:00am |
| Winter | 1 May - 31 October | 9:00am |
📍 The Rafting Centre, 133 Atirau Rd, Tūrangi
Pickups available within Tūrangi town. Contact us for options from Taupō or further afield.
The perfect family adventure – you, the kids, and an awesome guide in one raft, on a gentle journey down the beautiful lower Tongariro River. Grade 2 rapids are bouncy, splashy, and loads of fun without being the least bit scary.
This is one of the few activities in the Taupō region where the whole family can get involved – from kids as young as 5 to grandparents. Suitable for first-timers of any age, and completely beginner-friendly.
Total trip time is 2.5 to 3 hours, with around 1.5 hours on the water. Pickups available within Tūrangi town.
After a warm welcome at our Tūrangi base, your expert guide will brief you and kit everyone out in high quality gear to keep you safe and comfortable. Wetsuits, splash jackets, helmets, life jackets – all provided and fitted before you head to the river.
In winter the kit is even more comprehensive – extra layers, neoprene gloves and socks – so the whole family stays warm regardless of the conditions.
We’ll drive you a short distance from town to the banks of the pristine lower Tongariro where your adventure begins. On board the raft, the whole family can paddle together, or simply sit back while your guide does the work.
The gentle currents carry you along with regular sections of small, bouncy splashy rapids – enough to keep you on your toes and get the kids cheering, without scaring your grandma.
Our guides are experts at spotting and explaining the wildlife along the river. Keep an eye out for Whiō – our highly endangered native blue ducks who live in pairs all along the Tongariro. The water is naturally spring fed and crystal clear – watch for huge rainbow and brown trout swimming beneath the raft.
We’ve hosted thousands of families over the years, and we’ve written a blog post that explains why rafting is the perfect family activity – click here to read it.
Ready to bring the family?
The minimum age is 5 years old with adult supervision.
For older kids (11+) looking for more of a thrill, check out our Grade 3 White Water Rafting experience.
Yes – Grade 2 is specifically designed to be accessible and safe for families with young children. The rapids are gentle and bouncy rather than powerful. All participants wear life jackets and helmets, and your guide is trained in water safety and first aid.
Just swimwear, towels, and any emergency medications your family may need (including inhalers, EpiPens, or other essential medication). We supply all safety gear – wetsuits, fleeces, splash jackets, river shoes, helmets, and life jackets.
