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How to Reach Your Queenstown Jet Boat Boarding Point | Directions & Access Options

Need help finding your Queenstown jet boating boarding point? This complete guide gives you every practical detail for pick-up locations, transport advice, nearby parking, and step-by-step directions, so you can focus on the thrills, not the logistics.

Queenstown jet boating boarding points by operator

KJet (Main Town Pier)

Address: Main Town Pier, Marine Parade, Queenstown 9348, New Zealand | Find on maps

  • Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
  • Parking: Paid (Athol St Car Park, Lakeview Car Park within 3–5 min walk)
  • Public transport: Orbus routes 1, 2, 4, 5 (Qtn Bay), all <5 min walk

Directions:

  • From anywhere in central Queenstown, walk directly down Marine Parade to the jetty.
  • For drivers, park at Athol St, then cross the park to the lakefront.
  • Arrive at least 15 min before departure—look for the KJet yellow boats and kiosk.
Book Kawarau River jet boating tours

Shotover Jet (Arthurs Point River Base)

Address: 3 Arthurs Point Road, Arthurs Point, Queenstown 9371 | Find on maps

  • Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible, flat approach, staff assistance available
  • Parking: Free car park adjacent to river base
  • Public transport: Bus routes 2 or 4 to Atley Rd, 6-min walk (447m)
  • Shuttle: Pick up from The Station Building, Camp St, arrive 45 min in advance

Directions:

  • Drive north 10 min from Queenstown, cross Edith Cavell Bridge, and enter immediately after.
  • For shuttle, check in at the Station, follow staff instructions.
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Dart River Adventures (Glenorchy Visitor Centre)

Address: 45 Mull Street, Glenorchy 9372 | Find on maps

  • Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible at Visitor Centre, tour vehicle accessible upon request
  • Parking: Free, on-site
  • Transfer: Shuttle service from Queenstown's Station Building, allow 75 min, pre-book required

Directions:

  • Drive scenic Glenorchy–Queenstown Rd (45 min, allow 1 hr for photo stops).
  • At Glenorchy roundabout, turn left onto Mull St, the centre is 130m on your right.
  • Ample parking out front; meet at Visitor Centre 15 min before.
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Skippers Canyon Jet (Pickup: The Station Building, Queenstown)

Address: The Station Building, 43 Camp St, Queenstown 9300 | Find on maps

  • Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible for pickup, canyon road by minibus only
  • Parking: Paid (Athol St best, allow extra time to park and walk)
  • Public transport: All Orbus routes to Qtn Bay or Boundary St, both within 5 minutes on foot

Directions:

  • Arrive 10 min prior at bus stop on Camp St side of Station Building.
  • After check-in, board the guided minibus transfer to canyon jet launch.
  • No private vehicles permitted on Skippers Canyon Road.
Check Skippers Canyon tours

Getting to your Queenstown jet boat boarding point

By bus

  • Orbus routes 1, 2, 4, or 5, all stop within a 5-minute walk of the pier at Queenstown Bay stop. Every 15 minutes (Day) and 30 minutes (Night).​
  • Fares: NZD $2 with Bee Card / $4 cash. Purchase at airport, ORC office, or on bus (cash only).

By car

  • Parking: Paid at Athol Street Car Park or Lakeview Parking (8 min walk).
  • Travel time: 5 minutes from central hotels; 15 minutes from Queenstown Airport.

By foot

  • The pier is a 3–5 minute walk from central hotels along Marine Parade.
  • Taxis, Ubers, and e-scooters are common; head toward Marine Parade jetty beside St Omer Park.
Plan your visit

By bus

  • Orbus Route 2 (Arthurs Point) runs every 30 minutes. Stops at Atley Road / Top 10 Holiday Park, a 7-minute walk across Edith Cavell Bridge to the base.
  • Fare: NZD $2 Bee Card, duration: ~20 minutes from CBD.​

By car

  • Drive northeast on Gorge Road (~7 km, 10 minutes). Cross Edith Cavell Bridge, Shotover Jet entrance immediately after. Free on-site parking is available.​

By shuttle

  • Complimentary shuttle from The Station Building (Camp & Shotover St) at least 45 minutes before trip time.

By tour shuttle

  • No public bus. Return transport provided via pre-booked Dart River shuttle.
  • Check-in: The Station Building, Duke Street — 75 minutes before departure.
  • Duration: 60 minutes to Glenorchy base, scenic lakeside route with photo stops.​

By car

  • Route: Queenstown → Glenorchy Road, 46 km (~45 minutes).
  • Parking: Free and plentiful near 45 Mull Street, Glenorchy Visitor Centre.
  • Pro tip: Allow extra time for lakeside stops such as Wilson Bay and Bob’s Cove.​

By bus

  • Orbus Route 1 or 2 and get off at “Queenstown Bay” or “Boundary Street.” Every 15 minutes (daytime).​
  • 2–3 minute walk to corner of Camp and Shotover Streets (physical Station Building location).

By car

  • Park at Athol Street Car Park — 3-minute walk away.
  • Allow an extra 10 minutes to find parking during summer weekends.

By foot

  • Located centrally, short walk from most CBD hotels.
  • After check-in, a Skippers Canyon minibus takes you through the canyon to the jet launch area (included in all bookings).​

Quick local transport tips

  • Queenstown’s Orbus System: Flat $2 fares with Bee Card; best for travelers without cars.
  • Bee Card purchase points: Queenstown Airport, ORC building, Paper Plus, or any driver (cash exact fare).
  • Taxi / rideshare: Queenstown Taxis and Uber available 24/7, reliable for early morning trips.
  • No train or tram service: Queenstown is not connected by rail, so rely on bus, shuttle, or self-drive.
  • Cycling & e-scooters: Queenstown Trail connects most downtown areas, rentable e-scooters available near the pier.

Quickest access summary

  • Staying downtown? Main Town Pier (KJet) and Station Building (Skippers) both 1–4 minutes’ walk.
  • Want riverside parking? Shotover Jet (free), Dart River Glenorchy (free).
  • Relying on public transport? All central points are 2–7 min from the Orbus network.

Frequently asked questions about Queenstown jet boating tour boarding points

Your booking voucher specifies the operator, address, and meeting point.

More reads

Jet boat operators

Timings

Shotover River

Skippers Canyon