The Huka Jet (boat) is an experience definitely worth doing while you’re Taupo. It’s a speed boat powered by two V8 Chevy engines and just one of the many adventure sports you can do in the region and is 30 minutes of fun and excitement.
You move down to the jetty and get fitted with a spray jacket and lifejacket. Everyone then piles onboard and the driver gets the boat into position for the first picture of the session. He then roars off around the corner to safe water and goes through the general safety techniques of keeping limbs inside the boat and when he twirls his finger above his head he is about to do a 360-degree spin. And they aren’t afraid to rip off 10-12 in the trip – all great fun though.
The boat goes whizzing along the beautiful river banks (at up to 80kms/hr), past waterfalls, natural hot springs, past the Wairakei Thermal Power Station (the 1st in the world), the Prawn Farm, Aratiatia Dam and, the pinnacle, the famous Huka Falls. The driver goes right up into the falls area and as close as the big V8’s will push us. The falls were only flowing at about 20% at the time but were still very powerful.
Huka Jet operate every day of the year from the Wairakei Tourist Park which is about 10 minutes out of the heart of Taupo. You can get picked up either from the main information centre or from your accommodation if you give them enough notice. The jet boats leave every half hour. The cost of the ride for an adult is $75. If you want a second ride its only half price – very tempting I tell you!
The company provides lifejackets, which are compulsory. Spray jackets are also provided in the cooler months and come in very handy cause everyone gets pretty soaked. But the good thing is that the handrails are heated. You can take cameras but you bear the risk.
The Jet Boats are made from quality marine aluminum for maximum strength and maneuverability. They are powered by two monstrous 8.2 litre Chevy V8 engines which run on LPG. These jet boats have an internal propeller system in which water is drawn through an inlet on the bottom of the boat and then driven out through a nozzle at the rear of the boat. Steering the boat is simply a matter of changing the direction of the nozzle. There is a good model in the showroom at Huka Jet that demonstrates how this all works. Due to this system and the flat bottom shape of the hull, the jet boat can go over water only inches deep. Exciting stuff!
Awesome fun and as their catch phrase says "GIVE IT A WHIRL!