Riverbug - Tarawera River

5.0
10
Experience a unique whitewater adventure aboard a Riverbug!

Experience a unique whitewater adventure aboard a Riverbug!

Highlights

  • A unique whitewater riverbug adventure
  • Easy and fun on grade 2 whitewater
  • No experience necessary - great fun for the whole family!

Ride the crystal clear water of the Tarawera River beneath the spectacular backdrop of Pūtauaki (Mt. Edgecombe) near the rural town of Kawerau. An awesome introduction to riverbugging at the site of the 2013 IRF World Rafting Championships.

Enjoy the fun grade 2 rapids which are perfect for learning the basics and challenging yourself, an easy walking track allows you to carry your bug back upstream for repeat runs on the 'Slalom Course' rapids.

We provide all the equipment you need including wetsuits, helmets along with a knowledgeable guide to ensure your adventure is safe and enjoyable.

Be prepared to get wet and have fun on this unique adventure, and be sure to check out the other highlights in and around Kawerau, such as Tarawera Falls, Maurie Kjar Memorial Thermal Baths (free entry), or take a Hikoi (walk) around the cultural sites of Kawerau, or one of their popular 'Mill Tours'.

Adult $159.00
Child $129.00 (Under 16 years old)

What's included

  • 2.5 - 3 hour Riverbug experience (approx 1.5 hours on the water)
  • All equipment and safety personnel provided

Duration

  • 2.5 - 3 hours - approx 1.5 hours on the water

Location

  • Departs: Firmin Lodge Waterhouse Street, Kawerau 3127, New Zealand. Please see drive times below.

Restrictions

  • Minimum height: 1.25m.

    Maximum weight: 120 kg.

    Participants MUST be able to swim.

Child Friendly

  • This experience welcomes families with children.

Bad Weather Refunds

  • If your experience is cancelled by the operator (because of the bad weather, safety concerns, unscheduled maintenance etc) you will be entitled to a full refund.

Notes

  • This tour may require a minimum of up to 4 customers to run.

    Getting Here:

    30 min drive from Whakatane.

    50 min drive from Rotorua.

    1hr 10 min drive from Tauranga.

Available Bookings from 5 Feb to 18 Feb 2025

All prices are shown in NZD ($)

Change Dates
Wed 5 Feb
Thu 6 Feb
Fri 7 Feb
Sat 8 Feb
Sun 9 Feb
Mon 10 Feb
Tue 11 Feb
Wed 12 Feb
Thu 13 Feb
Fri 14 Feb
Sat 15 Feb
Sun 16 Feb
Mon 17 Feb
Tue 18 Feb

  • Adult$95.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$129.00

  • Adult$127.00
  • Child$129.00

  • Adult$95.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$129.00

  • Adult$127.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$129.00

  • Adult$127.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$129.00

  • Adult$127.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$129.00

  • Adult$95.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$129.00

  • Adult$95.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$129.00

  • Adult$127.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$129.00

  • Adult$159.00
  • Child$129.00

  • Adult$127.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$129.00

  • Adult$127.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$129.00

  • Adult$127.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$129.00

  • Adult$95.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$129.00
AWESOME ADVENTURE, JUST DO IT!
1 / 1
appsShow all photos

Authenticated Reviews & Photos All of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme

5.0

10 reviews

Showing all 10 authenticated Bookme reviews

lydiaf2 from United Kingdom wrote on 19 March 2024

River Bug with Don

Me and my sister did the river bug experience with our guide Don. He was friendly and professional we felt very safe. We had great fun and want to do it again!

verifiedVerified purchase ios_shareShare link to review

Frank Hagenson from New Zealand wrote on 22 January 2023

Great fun

Great fun for the whole family. I would recommend this activity to anyone.

verifiedVerified purchase ios_shareShare link to review

johnd11 from Australia wrote on 25 August 2022

Awesome winter RiverBug

Mid August on the Tawawera river with my wife who was doubting my logic and choice. Cold day and high water levels with recent rain. We had an awesome time. Don was the best instructor, gear was great and we were not cold at all. Water levels were high which made for even more fun. We had a great time - wife loved it! Highly recommended tour!!!

verifiedVerified purchase ios_shareShare link to review

From Riverbug - Tarawera River

Kia ora John, thx for the review – glad you both enjoyed the Tarawera. It was a pleasure – you guys were great! I'll send you the link to the photos. Ngā mihi ︳Kind regards Don Allardice

Maxine Parker from New Zealand wrote on 03 April 2022

AWESOME ADVENTURE, JUST DO IT!

Absolutely awesome adventure, lovely people. I'm definitely going to do it again. Family friendly. Stunning scenery. Highly recommend. Give them a call if you are not sure, they will put you at ease. 🤩 Also yummy picnic provided at the end .

verifiedVerified purchase ios_shareShare link to review

From Riverbug - Tarawera River

Kia ora Maxine, thanks for the review! It was really fun to have your company on the river, Ngā mihi Don

Glenn Rood from New Zealand wrote on 25 February 2022

Awesome!

This was a lot of fun! Great scenery, floating down the river , mixed in with some white water thrills. Our guide was very friendly and helpful and made for an awesome experience. Highly recommended.

verifiedVerified purchase ios_shareShare link to review

From Riverbug - Tarawera River

Kia ora Glenn, thanks for the feedback – you guys were totally awesome and really fun to be on the river with! Ngā mihi Don

close

Booking

10:00 a.m.Thursday 13 July

12

Adult

Child Under 16 years old

*This option must be made together with another price type.
close

Review Photos

close

Property Photos

close

Where to?

Popular New Zealand Destinations

  • Fiji Islands - Viti Levu - Mamanucas
  • Cairns - Port Douglas
  • Queenstown - Southern Lakes - Fiordland
  • Whitsundays - Airlie Beach - Townsville
  • Rotorua - Taupo - Waitomo
  • Auckland - Waiheke Island - Warkworth
  • Melbourne
  • Sydney
  • West Coast - Glacier Country
  • K`gari (Fraser Island) - Hervey Bay - Town of 1770
  • Christchurch - Canterbury - Kaikoura
  • Gold Coast
  • Abel Tasman - Nelson - Picton
  • Northland - Bay of Islands
  • Noosa - Mooloolaba - Sunshine Coast
  • Dunedin - Coastal Otago - Oamaru
  • BOP - Tauranga - Maunganui - Whakatane
  • Perth & Western Australia
  • Greater Adelaide and Barossa Valley
  • Wellington - Wairarapa
  • Coromandel Peninsula - Great Barrier Island
  • Brisbane
  • Hamilton & Raglan - Waikato
  • Tasmania - Hobart and Surrounds
  • Gisborne - East Cape to Mahia
  • Hawkes Bay - Napier & Hastings
  • Canberra
  • Taranaki - New Plymouth
  • Manawatu - Whanganui to Masterton & Martinborough
  • Southland & Te Anau
close

Search

close

Bookme Lists

close

Ask a Question