South Island Attractions

Venue: Dart River and Valley    When: Daily

Take a jet boat up the Dart River for a truly magical experience. The river and valley, stretching from the far end of Lake Wakatipu, affords fantastic views, wide-open expanses of water, and, as the river narrows upstream, exciting mini-rapids to battle against. No wonder it was a favourite spot in the filming of Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings.

The trip starts from the town of Glenorchy, situated at the eastern tip of Wakatipu, the largest of South Island's lakes. You'll likely have to drive or bus over from Queenstown, a wonderful hour-long journey which affords, just after a turn in the road, probably the most beautiful view in the world. Ever. If you're into sun-kissed azure water, rolling pastures and grazing horses, complete with snow-capped peaks beyond, that is.

Dart River Safaris organise a half-day excursion which includes a journey as far as you can go up the river, a friendly guide (as always in New Zealand) and a little bush walk to stretch your legs. Jet boats are a New Zealand invention and go down very well with the tourists, going impressively fast.

The more glamorous competitor to the Dart River Jet is the Shotover Jet, the other side of Queenstown, which zooms through narrow gorges. However, the Dart Valley offers more spectacular scenery, the trip is longer and more relaxed and altogether the better day out.

For any Lord of the Rings fanatics, the Dart River valley was the setting for Isengard as well as the elves' home Lothlorien. Also, the camera zooms past the towering Mount Earnshaw before following Gandalf down the rocky hole deep into the earth in his fight with the Balrog at the start of The Two Towers.