Kiwis and tourists alike
seem to be crazy for jetboats. These
high powered thrill machines were invented in New Zealand by a cattle rancher, Bill
Hamilton especially to navigate shallow rivers.
They have no propeller; propulsion is by a water pump coupled to a powerful
multicylinder engine; usually V8 American muscle.
It seems that almost every
significant river comes with its own jetboat operator offering high speed
adrenaline rides. New Zealand’s longest
river the mighty Waikato River, is no different. Indeed different sections of the Waikato have
their own jetboat. We had already
encountered Hukafalls Jet and just downstream there is Rapids Jet that includes
a white water trip on the rapids near Aratiatia Dam. Typically, your 100NZD buys you a 25-30
minutes ride.
A little further
downstream there is NZ Riverjet. This option
caught our eye as, at 2½-3 hours, it was more of a tour than a brief
encounter. NZ Riverjet offers various packages;
one of these was made popular as it was featured in the US tv programme ‘Bachelor’. Called “The Squeeze”, it includes a walk
through a narrow gully carved by a hot stream. This seems popular with younger couples but we chose ‘The Thermal Safari’.
The Thermal Safari
consists of an hour’s jetboat cruise down the Waikato River and through the spectacular
Tutukau Gorge. There are several stops
along the way with fascinating insight to the fauna, flora and geology provided
by our pilot. Then there is entry to the
Orakei Korako Thermal Reserve. This is
said to be the best remaining example of a thermal area in New Zealand. It didn’t disappoint. Finally it is back across the river by ferry
to meet up with the jetboat for a full-on 25 minute blast back up the Waikato
River. On the way our pilot included ten
of the infamous 360 degree rotations known as the ‘Hamilton Spin’.
We loved our Thermal Safari
and our first taste of these brilliant boats.
Cruising Downstream
Orakei Korako Thermal Reserve
Blasting Upstream, Hamilton Spin
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