Location

Our operation is on the North side of the Rakaia Gorge bridge on State Highway 72 - please make your way down to the river and come over to the black Discovery Jetboat.

DIRECTIONS FROM CHRISTCHURCH - SCENIC ROUTE VIA DARFIELD (APPROX 70 MINUTES)
- From Christchurch take Highway 73 to the West Coast
- Continue to Darfield and follow signs to Mt Hutt ski area
- Turn left at Darfield towards Mt Hutt and join Highway 72 until you reach the Rakaia Bridge - you will see the Black Discovery Jet sandwich boards on the side of the road approximately 200m before the bridge, directing you to the river.

ROUTE VIA HORORATA (APPROX 60 MINUTES)
- From Christchurch take Highway 73 to the West Coast
- After West Melton, turn left at Aylesbury Corner and follow sign to Hororata, continue approx 26 kms
- At Hororata turn left at the roundabout
- Follow signs to Mount Hutt ski area
- At the Windwhistle intersection turn left on to State Highway 72 and drive approximately 5 minutes until you reach the Rakaia Bridge - you will see the Black Discovery Jet sandwich boards on the side of the road approximately 200m before the bridge, directing you to the river.

Driving times and conditions:

Christchurch International Airport: 50 to 60 minutes, mostly on straight roads through the countryside. Little or no traffic.
Christchurch Central City: 70 to 90 minutes, the first 20 to 30 of which are within the city and suburbs with generally moderate traffic.
Methven, Mt Hutt Village: 15 minutes on State Highway 72 to the Rakaia Gorge. Fantastic scenery and very light traffic.
Mt Hutt Ski Area: 10-15 minutes easy scenic drive to the Mt Hutt access road. To get from the base of the access road to the car park can take up to 35-40 minutes depending on conditions. 4WD vehicles with chains may be required.
Lake Coleridge: 30 minutes scenic drive on sealed roads with very light traffic.
Darfield: 30 to 40 minutes, mostly on SH 72.
Hororata: 20 to 30 minutes on one road with few corners and minimal traffic.
Ashburton: 35 to 45 minutes.

In addition to being an easy one hour drive from Christchurch International Airport, Discovery Jet is also convenient to the West Coast and South Canterbury, making it an ideal activity while on a tour around the South Island.