Key Details
- Duration: 6 Days (a mixture of day trips, one day off and then we like to finish with an overnigher)
- Hiking Difficulty: Our day trip rivers are relatively easy hike with only the things we need for a solitary day rather than carrying sleeping gear and food. We aim to do overnighters that have us floating rather than carrying our gear where possible too.
- Paddling Difficulty: Suitable for beginners with instructors, max grade ii/ii+
- All food provided whilst we're on the river
- Options to provide your own equipment
- Fully guided/instructed by world class guides
- Summer Months only
- Small Groups (Minimum 2-Maximum 10)
Typical Itinerary
- Day 1: Rees Valley, License to Chill. 6km hiking, 6km paddling (Grade I)
- Day 2: Aspiring Packrafter, 9km Hiking, 9km paddle (Some short Grade II sections)
- Day 3: Caple River, 9.5km Hiking, 9.5km paddle (Optional Grade II+ final section)
- Day 4: Rest Day
- Day 5: Waiau/Manapouri overnighter. 0km Hiking, 27km Paddle (Grade I)
- Day 6: Waiau/Manapouri overnighter. 0km Hiking, 10-15km Paddle (Flat, open water)
Exact rivers and trips run may vary slightly to fit weather windows, paddling levels and stoke.
For years, we searched for the ideal beginner-friendly multiday packrafting trip in Aotearoa. The truth is, the best introduction isn’t one big river—it’s a series of different journeys. Our 6-day Packraft Retreat Week combines day trips and short overnighters into a relaxed progression, showcasing some of the South Island’s most beautiful valleys and rivers.
This is your chance to explore multiple rivers, learn new skills, and join a crew of like-minded adventurers, all in a safe and supportive environment.
Who's This Trip For?
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Packraft-curious travellers wanting a first taste of New Zealand rivers.
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Beginners keen to build confidence before tackling grade 2/3 expeditions.
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Visiting packrafters without time to plan their own logistics.
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Anyone who wants 6 days of adventure, culture, and connection in one of the most stunning corners of the world.
No prior experience needed—just a reasonable fitness level and an adventurous spirit.
THIS IS THE REASON YOU'LL COME TO NEW ZEALAND
Itinerary
Day 1- License to Chill
Our retreat begins with a little journey to get off the beaten track — a scenic drive out of Queenstown, then about an hour and a half of walking up a quiet valley. It’s not a rush; the hike itself is part of the experience, winding through beech forest and open clearings where you’ll likely see more birds than people.
At the top, we unpack the boats and slip onto the river. This is your first chance to let the current carry you, watching the valley unfold from a completely different angle. The water is calm, the scenery timeless: tussock, mountain ridges, forest mirrored in the flow. It’s peaceful, it’s simple, and it’s the perfect way to start the week.
Day 2- Aspiring Packrafter
Today is all about stepping into one of the South Island’s most iconic landscapes. We head into Mt Aspiring National Park, where hanging glaciers catch the morning light and braided rivers sparkle against a backdrop of sharp peaks. It’s the sort of scenery that makes you stop mid-stride just to take it all in.
The water here is gentle but alive, moving fast enough to feel like a journey rather than a float. You’ll weave between gravel bars, drift beneath ancient beech forest, and catch glimpses of waterfalls spilling from the high country. It’s a day that feels pure New Zealand: wild, beautiful, and absolutely unforgettable. There's even a chance to run some small rapids, with some optional bigger ones at the finish for those feeling confident!
Day 3 - The Capable Packrafter
We lace up the boots this morning and wander into the Caples Valley, a place that feels wonderfully tucked away from the world. The track climbs gently through mossy beech forest, then opens into wide grassy flats framed by sheer rock walls. It’s classic South Island backcountry — quiet, green, and impossibly peaceful.
The Caples is one of our favourite and most scenic packrafting rivers in New Zealand. At the put-in we slip through a hidden gorge, before beginning a stunning float back down the valley. Clear pools, forested banks, and mountain backdrops make it feel like paddling through a postcard.
For those who want to keep it mellow, there’s an easy take-out just 25 minutes’ walk from the carpark. But if the group is feeling keen, we can continue into a short Grade 2+ section — a glorious canyon with sheer cliffs rising above the river. The lower rapids are playful and forgiving, with excellent spots to practice boat control and line choice for anyone looking to push their skills a little further.
Day 4 - Rest & Recharge in Queenstown
After three days of rivers and trails, today is about slowing down and letting Queenstown work its magic. This is your chance to rest the body, reset the mind, and enjoy the adventure capital of the world at your own pace.
Take it easy with a lakeside stroll or a long coffee, or dive into one of the many ways Queenstown spoils its visitors. Hire a bike and explore the region’s gentle trail network through vineyards and lakeside paths — or, if you’re feeling brave, point your wheels downhill and ride the famous mountain bike park.
Prefer something slower? Soak in a hot tub overlooking the Shotover River, where you can watch jetboats buzz past while you sink deeper into the warmth. Or head out to Central Otago’s award-winning wineries, where crisp pinot noir and mountain views make the hours slip by.
Not every adventure has to be hard work. Today is about balance — relax, indulge, and savour the place, before we pack up again and step back into the wild.
Day 5 – Into the Wild
This morning we leave Queenstown behind and take a scenic drive south, watching the mountains of Fiordland grow larger on the horizon. By the time we reach the Waiau, it feels like we’ve arrived at the edge of something vast and wild.
Here the retreat shifts into true expedition mode. We slip the boats onto the water and let the Waiau River carry us downstream. The current is steady and kind, gliding us between forested banks and beneath towering peaks. It’s a river that feels spacious and generous — long glides, big skies, and a landscape that seems to breathe as we move through it.
By afternoon we paddle into Shallow Bay on Lake Manapouri, a quiet beach fringed with beech trees and mountains reflected in the water. It’s one of those rare campsites that feels like it belongs only to us: no roads, no crowds, just the sound of the lake lapping at shore as the day fades into night.
Day 6 - The Final Paddle and Side Quest
The last morning begins with calm water and mountains mirrored in the lake. We paddle across to the start of a short trail, pull the rafts up on shore, and wander into the bush for one last adventure. The climb is gentle but rewarding, opening out to a viewpoint with sweeping vistas over Lake Manapouri and the surrounding peaks. It’s a moment to pause, take a crew photo, and let the whole week sink in.
Back at the shore we slip into the boats for a final paddle, the strokes now effortless, the scenery as striking as ever. There’s no rush — only the quiet satisfaction of finishing the journey together.
By afternoon we’re back on the road to Queenstown, with time for onward travel or a celebratory dinner. The retreat ends the way it began: surrounded by wild places, good people, and the kind of memories that stay with you long after the boats are packed away.
What's Included
- All transport
- Camping and land access fees
- Fully qualified and experienced guides
- All Food on the river
- Pre-trip support with packing list, reminders about where and when to meet etc.
- Pre-trip Zoom call 10 days out to go over any questions you might have ahead of packing
What's not included
- ***Food or accommodation in Queenstown
- Travel insurance
- Tips or gratuities
Where to Stay in Queenstown
Queenstown has a variety of accomodation options from 5-Star resorts to Camp Grounds. Whilst this is entirely a personal choice, we really enjoy having groups at Hampshire Holiday Park a mixture of camping and room options to suit every budget and it's so close to town that you don't need a vehicle. We've held events there previously and the've been great with us.
