Top 10 Adventure Experiences in New Zealand
For anyone looking for thrills and excitement, head on over to New Zealand, the home of adventure tourism.
Photo: Uluru & Kata Tjura National Park, Australia
1. Ziplining
Zip your way past stunning harbour views on Waiheke Island, enjoy an immersive wilderness experience through the treetops in Rotorua or fly through the air in lush rainforest canopy on the West Coast tree tops. Gaze at the Remarkables mountain range in Queenstown, or combine zip lining with river tubing and glow worms on the West Coast. It’s the perfect combination of adrenalin, nature and speed.
2. Canyoning
Leap off waterfalls, slide down rocks, scramble, climb, jump, abseil… Canyoning is among New Zealand’s wildest adventures and is staged in remote mountain locations around Auckland, Coromandel, Nelson, Canterbury and Wanaka.
Photo: Canyoning
3. Heli-skiing
Heli-skiing is for adventurers who are seeking pure adrenaline and freedom in fresh powder snow. Take a scenic flight to the top of the mountain, make your own downhill tracks as you ski your way back down on the ultimate guided heli-ski adventure.
4. Zorb
Get inside a big plastic ball (orb) and roll down a hill, with or without water. Among Rotorua’s mix of adventure activities is the Zorb. This iconic activity is a must-do if you’re in the region enjoying its renowned geothermal wonders.
5. Bungy
Take a leap of faith on a bungy at the original Kawarau Bungy site(opens in new window), or New Zealand's highest at the top of the Nevis (both in Queenstown). Or for a completely different style of bungy, why not try the Auckland Harbour Bridge or Taupo Bungy on the Waikato River. As the home of bungy, New Zealand doesn’t disappoint!
Photo: Bungy in New Zealand
6. Off-road driving
Buckle up, hold tight and head out on a scenic wilderness off-road adventure on one of New Zealand’s comprehensive network of back-country roads and tracks. Or why not try your luck on the colossal sand dunes of the popular Ninety Mile Beach in Northland.
7. Caving
Featuring some of the most challenging and spectacular caving systems in the world, New Zealand is top of the list for spelunkers (cavers). Walk or float (black-water rafting as it is referred to) through the spectacular Waitomo Caves or enjoy guided underground adventures in Nelson (home to the southern hemisphere’s deepest sinkhole).
8. Rafting
From the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world (7m) in Rotorua to rivers where rapids range from a gentle grade 1 to an extreme grade 5, New Zealand has it all. Tongariro River in Lake Taupō, the wild West Coast and Queenstown are among the popular rafting spots in the country.
Photo: Rafting
9. Jet Boating
Feel the power of the water as you jet-boat a spectacular river close to Lake Taupo's thundering Huka Falls, or negotiate 360-degree spins on one of Queenstown’s spectacular rivers.
10. Skydiving
Embrace the excitement and soak in the views as you tandem skydive or go solo – a true heart-stopping adventure! You can skydive in various locations around New Zealand, including Wanaka, Queenstown, Lake Taupo, Auckland and Bay of Plenty.