Press Releases

Kia ora from Skippers Canyon Jet! With the clear winter days lately in Queenstown we have had some stunning photographic moments on the trip in to the jet boats in Skippers Canyon over the last week. Welcome to our winter wonderland! We operate from here in Skippers as we have done for 5 generations off the power grip, storing all our water from the hills, and with our own sewerage system, not the easiest on days like this!

Skippers Canyon Jet and 4WD Adventures are operating as normal despite the closure this week of Skippers Road.

The 140-year-old historic and remote road was recently affected by heavy rain, leaving it in a fragile state and in need of urgent repair. But Skippers Canyon Jet has a special access arrangement with Queenstown Lakes District Council to ensure its trip schedule is unaffected.

“We’re a Queenstown company owned by 5th generation Skippers Canyon residents,” said Matt Rhodes, Marketing Manager of Skippers Canyon Jet. “Our business is 100% dependent on the road and council has understood that and worked with us to ensure we have limited access to the road. We are able to continue to operate as normal throughout the delicate restoration process.”

Mr Rhodes says there is no inconvenience to Skippers Canyon Jet customers and in fact the only way to for people to visit the Canyon by road right now is with the company’s 4WD Adventures.

“The work just adds to the experience really. It’s an amazing, hand built road dating back to the gold mining era. There are tracks on each side of the work area which people can walk across as the road is being extended. It’s a wonderful time to be in the Canyon and of course the jetboat trip is completely unaffected.”

As the only company allowed to operate a jet boat on the Shotover River in Skippers Canyon and 4WD adventures on the Skippers Road, Skippers Canyon Jet ensures its heritage and environment is maintained for future generations.

“It is unusual for anyone to be granted access to the road, but as we are locals, and always have been, we are still able to run our trips as normal at 9am and 1pm.”

Skippers Canyon Jet Ltd is endorsed by Qualmark, Tourism New Zealand’s quality standard.

Skippers Canyon Jet Ltd in Queenstown combines heritage, scenery and adventure to deliver one of the most diverse tourism experiences in New Zealand.

Skippers Canyon Jet Ltd is the only company allowed to operate a jet boat on the Shotover River in Skippers Canyon, an area rich in gold mining history blessed with dramatic scenery. It also offers a 4WD adventure along the famous Skippers Road, an experience in itself, and a heritage tour of the area including a visit to Winky’s gold mining museum, rich with Skippers Canyon memorabilia.

Winky is the matriarch of the Hohneck family who established Skippers Canyon Jet Ltd in late 2007. The family has been gold mining or farming the land in Skippers Canyon since the 1860s and has a long history in tourism.

Matt Rhodes, Skippers Canyon Jet Ltd Marketing Manager, said the Hohneck name was synonymous with Skippers Canyon and the family was in the best position to host visitors to the area.

“The Hohnecks have so much knowledge of Skippers Canyon and the surrounding area and are involved in every aspect of the operation – from driving the jet boats to demonstrating gold panning techniques.

“Every time I help host a trip into Skippers Canyon I hear one of the family impart something new about the area to our customers that I haven’t heard before, which always blows me away. It’s this information that enriches the experience for our customers and you can see their eyes light up with what they’re hearing.”

Skippers Canyon Jet Ltd has recently imported two new OKAs (pronounced ‘okkers’) to increase its fleet to five. An OKA is a 4WD designed to meet Australian military vehicle requirements and enables the company to transport passengers into Skippers Canyon during winter.

“We’re the only company operating these vehicles on the Skippers Road and they really do give you the ultimate 4WD buzz! It also means our customers can enjoy our adventures all year round,” said Mr Rhodes.

The company is also venturing into the C&I market, now offering corporate team building programmes for groups of 10 to 120 people. The museum has been renovated to include a purpose built barn for use as a conference facility in the heart of the Canyon overlooking the river 100m below.

Skippers Canyon Jet Ltd is endorsed by Qualmark, Tourism New Zealand’s quality standard.

A ninety-one year old Englishman became the oldest customer to experience a Skippers Canyon Adventures jet boat ride on the Shotover River near Queenstown on Tuesday (17 March).

From Southhampton in England, Ivan Powley was accompanied by his seventyone year old Dunedin relative, Alec Kellaway. Powley has a long history with boats and worked in the engine room of HMS Hood, one of Britain’s most famous 20th century warships, during World War II.

Matt Rhodes, Skippers Canyon Jet Marketing Manager, said it was a privilege to host someone like Ivan, with his prestigious marine history, on one of their boats.

“We loved having him on the trip. He obviously has an appreciation for all things boats and had a wicked time on the jet boat ride.

“He was enthralled during the 4WD drive into Skippers Canyon and really got into learning about the gold mining history of the area.

“We were blown away by his energy.”

Image Caption: Ivan (right) and Alec offer bright smiles after their exhilarating jet boat ride