Haast River Safari operates river jet boat rides in the South Westland World Heritage area. Learn from our local & highly experienced jet boat driver/guides about the physical attributes of this remarkable glacial valley, where temperate rainforest thrives.

Fully enclosed river boats ensure great visibility, yet you remain warm, dry and comfortable, making this a unique and safe experience suitable for anyone of any age to participate in and enjoy.

Hear stories of the Kiwi spirit that enabled the Haast community to survive on the edge of the wilderness. We'll stop so you can get out of the boat so that you can reflect on the fact you are in one of New Zealand's last frontiers.

Sunshine or rain our jet boat trips operate daily.

Hapuka Estuary Walk:
20 minute round trip. This walk provides views of the tidal river, native forest and wildlife. Information panels around the walk provide plenty of information.

Smoothwater Bay Track:
1.5 - 2 hours. This track offers a variety of terrain. The first 45 minutes follows an old pioneers track until you reach the Smoothwater River. For a little more adventure continue down the clear-flowing river, keeping to the riverbed, and enjoy the beauty and solitude of Smoothwater Bay. Sturdy footwear is recommended.

Wharekai Te Kau Walk:
Jackson Heads Wildlife Refuge, 20 minute walk from Jackson's Bay. Information panels provide information about life on the shore.

Blow Fly Hut:
1.5 - 2 hours, this relatively easy walk follows an old pack track, across a swing bridge over the Moeraki River to the original roadman's hut. Sturdy footwear is recommended.

Monro Beack Walk:
An easy 40 minute walk through the coastal forest to the remote Monro Beach. Between July and December keep a look out for Tawaki (Fiordland Crestland Penguin) on the beach.

Kahikatea Swamp Forest Walk:
20 minutes round trip, this gentle walk follows the slow flowing Ship Creek. Creek-side viewpoints allow easy observation of plants, wildlife and New Zealand's tallest tree, the Kahikatea.

Discover the world’s first and only ocean to alps river jet boating tour, exploring Te-Wahipounamu - South West New Zealand World Heritage Area.

• Visit this place rich in Maori history and legend.
• Feel the pioneering spirit of days gone by.
• Enjoying the intense closeness of this vast landscape upto the Southern Alps.
• Experience this truly remote, untouched wilderness at a laid back, relaxing pace.
• Pause to take photos and listen to our professional guide's informative commentary.
• Take an opportunity to stretch your legs at the forest’s edge.
• Return on the exhilarating descent back to the Tasman Ocean.

Experience the remoteness of Haast, New Zealand with our guided tours, specialising in nature tours around the Haast area. View Hector Dolphins, Fiordland Crested Penguins and Fur Seals in their natural environment. Experience nature as it happens, nothing is taken for granted.

Boat Tours:
We pick you up, drive through rain forests and board the Can Do for our Jackson Bay Marine Experience. Or you can self-drive to Jackson Bay.

We view the Hector Dolphins and New Zealand Fur Seals in their natural environment. Bottlenose and Common Dolphins are also seen occasionally. We motor round Jackson Heads from about August to December and then again in February, to see the Fiordland Crested Penguin breeding colony.

Guided Tours:
Our tours take you from Haast to Jackson Bay taking in dramatic driftwood strewn West Coast beaches, and experiencing the rain forests.

Hapuka Estuary is where you can get close to 800 year old rimu, kahikatea, kowhai, manuka and flax where the tui, bellbird and wood pigeon feed. At different times of the tide in the estuary you can see crabs, snails, whitebait and trout.

When at Jackson Bay you can walk through the Wharekai Te Kao track (the locals call it Moccasin Gap) to a windswept beach which has amazing rock formations and pools supporting all sorts of marine life. Alternatively head to Cascade River to see the magnificent Red Hills.

• Experience the remoteness with Haast locals
• Personal service, small groups
• Bring along your camera and binoculars
• Wonderful photographic opportunities
• Tour duration allow three to four hours