dave
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North Island ▷ Taupo Region ▷ Taupo ▷
Mountain Shuttle
This is a review of Mountain Shuttle operating buses to the start and finish of the Tongariro crossing from Turangi, Tokaanu, and Whakapapa, not as far as I know from Taupo.
The 7.30 bus from Turangi was 25 minutes late on pickup. On arrival at the start the advertised 18.30 pickup at the end was stated to be withdrawn. We arrived at 14.58 for the 15.00 bus and there was no sign of it. We caught the 16.30 bus and noted that the driver spent little effort locating his passengers and drove off quickly; other drivers put in considerable effort to find their passengers.
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North Island ▷ Taupo Region ▷ Turangi ▷
Tongariro River Rafting
A competent, friendly, and safe small operation.
We were provided with large changing rooms to don excellent waterproof gear (wetsuits, wetsuit boots, fleece, sprayjacket, and buoyancy aids) and helmets. We were transported from the Turangi office in an ancient van (the only downside) which also towed the raft. The paying passengers were the launch and recovery crew. We were given instructions on the meaning of the paddling commands and on rescue procedures, which sounded more complicated than it turned out in practice. The steersman was friendly and well qualified. The river was not at all daunting and suitable for beginners as advertised. The obligatory photos were taken at the start and finish and were available in several formats; we thought the CD was the best option.
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South Island ▷ Queenstown Region ▷ Queenstown Township ▷
Dart River Jet Safaris
An interesting experience with some shortcomings.
We were provided with buoyancy aids but no other waterproof gear. The driver intended to get people wet and so those at the back especially got cold despite it being a summer's day. The water is very shallow so I question the need for the buoyancy aids. However there is a line of telegraph poles which crosses the river and the driver went in for the usual fooling about and, as intended, narrowly missed the one in the water. Had he accidentally hit it (at about 40mph) people would have been thrown out and possibly seriously injured. Thus helmets would have been a good idea, and the fooling with the pole should be stopped.
Kiwis do not do obsequiousness and the driver lacked this to the point of impoliteness. The obligatory photos taken at beginning and end were only available in one format (hard copy), were few in number, and like the rest of the trip, very expensive.