Day tour · Arnold River
Arnold Family Raft ½ Day Tour
A half-day on friendly Grade 2 water near Greymouth - built around kids. The perfect first taste of white water, from age five up.
Where You'll Be
The Arnold River begins at Lake Brunner and runs just 20 kilometres to join the Grey / Māwheranui. It's a short drive from Greymouth - about half an hour - and the water is friendly Grade 2 the whole way. Around ninety minutes on the river is enough for kids to learn to paddle, splash through the rapids and, on a warm day, have a swim, without anyone getting cold or tired. It's the trip families come back from grinning.
- Duration4 hours about 1½ hours on the river
- GradeGrade 2 family-friendly
- Minimum age5 years
- Price$170 Adult $140 Child (5–18 yrs)
- LocationArnold River near Greymouth & Stillwater
- Pick-up9:00am Greymouth i-Site, or 9:15am Stillwater
The Experience
This one is designed with kids in mind. The half-day format means youngsters stay warm, and the Grade 2 rapids are just big enough to be exciting and small enough to be safe - the perfect introduction to white water. Grown-ups have a great time too; nobody's just supervising. More about the Arnold River →
How the Day Runs
We meet in Greymouth at 9:00am (or Stillwater at 9:15am) and drive about thirty minutes out to the river. There you'll change into the river gear we provide, and the guides give a full safety briefing before we hit the Grade 2 rapids. We spend around an hour and a half on the water - learning to paddle, splashing through the rapids, and if it's warm enough, taking a swim along the way. Afterwards there's time to change back into dry clothes, and a snack and a hot drink before we drive back to Greymouth.
Food & Drinks
A snack and a hot drink are supplied at the end of the trip, once everyone's changed and dry. Bring any favourites of your own, and let us know in advance if anyone in the group has particular dietary needs.
What We Supply & What to Bring
We supply:
- Helmet, life jacket, wetsuit, splash jacket and thermal top
- Water shoes and small dry bags (for sunscreen etc.)
- A snack and a hot drink at the end of the trip
Please bring:
- A towel and a change of dry clothes
- Swimwear or underwear to go under the wetsuit
- Sunscreen and any personal medication (e.g. asthma inhaler)
Is this trip right for me?
- Best for: families with younger children, and anyone who wants a first taste of rafting without committing to a full day.
- Activity level: easy - about an hour and a half on gentle water, with the guides doing the hard work.
- Experience: none needed; a full safety and paddle briefing comes first.
- Age: 5 years and up.
- Ready for more? The Waimakariri 2 Day for an overnight camping experience for ages 7 and over. The Grey 1 Day or Waiau 1 Day steps up to Grade 3 for ages 10 and over.
Safety
Your safety is our priority. Inland Adventures operates under a Department of Conservation concession and complies with the WorkSafe Adventure Activities Regulations, audited annually by AdventureMark. Every trip begins with a comprehensive safety and paddle briefing, and our guides look after you on the water.
"It's fun to see kids dressed up in tiny river gear taking on the waves."
Rata - River Guide
