regions   intro accommodation tours self drive itineraries visitor info

new zealand adventure | back to regions & attractions

bungy jumping canoeing & kayaking caving & canyoning climbing & abseiling cycling & mountain biking diving fly by wire gliding & paraponting

horse riding & treks hot air ballooning hunting & shooting jet boating rafting skydiving skiing & snowboarding zorbing

bungy jumping
New Zealand is the home of bungy jumping, and therefore can be found throughout the country, each offering something a little different. The most famous is AJ Hackett Bungy, with 5 different jump sites in and around Queenstown. Rotorua, Taupo and Hanmer Springs also offer bungy jumping, and in Auckland you can bungy jump off the Harbour Bridge, or even jump off the Sky Tower - the tallest tower in the Southern Hemisphere! Queenstown also features the Bungy Rocket, where you are fired skywards at 160 kph, as does Auckland.

canoeing & kayaking
New Zealand's beaches, lakes, and rivers provide a wealth of kayaking and canoeing activities. Guided sea kayaking trips are available throughout New Zealand, and are particularly popular in the Hauraki Gulf and the Bay of Islands in the North Island, and in the Abel Tasman National Park, Marlborough Sounds, and Fiordland in the South Island.

caving & canyoning
New Zealand is known to have some of the most challenging caving systems in the world. In the North Island the best known area is near Waitomo in the central region. The famous Waitomo Caves offer an easily accessible cave attraction for visitors who want to look at limestone formations and glow-worms, more difficult caves for more experienced and confident cavers, or try blackwater rafting. In the Tasman Mountains, north-west of Nelson, are some of the world's largest and deepest caving systems, many of which are still to be explored. Nearby on the Takaka Hill (Marble Mountain) is Harwoods Hole, one of the world's largest sinkholes.
Canyoning is like being at a water park in New Zealand native bush. Take on the challenge of this unique water and rock adventure and you will find yourself plunging down water-polished chutes and abseiling waterfalls. Canyoning is available in Auckland, Wanaka and Canterbury.

climbing & abseiling
For an alpine climbing adventure head straight to the South Island's Southern Alps. This spectacular mountain range contains the highest peaks in Australasia. Most climbing is done in Westland, Mount Cook, Mount Aspiring, Arthur's Pass and Fiordland national parks, all based in the Southern Alps. Commercial guides are available and specialist companies run courses covering a range of climbing experiences.

New Zealand has a wealth of abseiling opportunities, including mountain and sea cliff activities. At Waitomo, in the central North Island, you can abseil into the spectacular canyons of the Haggis Honking Holes, plunging down water chutes and waterfalls to swim, slide and float through a wonderland of sculptured rock and thundering cascades.

cycling & mountain biking
New Zealand is the perfect place for a cycling or mountain bike adventure. The mild climate makes it ideal for cycling all the year round. Many New Zealand towns and cities are ideal for exploring by bike, and you'll find it easy and inexpensive to hire a bike and a helmet for just a few hours, or a whole day.

For those who want a more rugged adventure, New Zealand's hilly terrain makes it a fabulous mountain bike playground! There's a growing number of specially designed mountain bike tracks, as well as many single and 4WD (four-wheel drive) tracks through beautiful native bush. If you want even more of a challenge, try alpine heli-biking or cycle up one of the many firebreaks you'll see on New Zealand's steep hills!

diving
With a long, often indented coastline of almost 18,000km, New Zealand is a diver's paradise. Many of New Zealand's prime diving spots are just offshore, offering easy access. One of the best spots is the crystal-clear waters of the Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve, and considered by the late Jacques Cousteau to be one of the world's top five diving locations. Other popular areas are the sheltered Bay of Islands, four hours drive north of Auckland; and in the South Island, the dramatic fiords of Fiordland, and Stewart Island.

fly by wire
A great kiwi invention is the exhilarating Fly by Wire - the world's fastest adventure ride. Fly by Wire lets you be the pilot of a high-speed craft. Just put on the goggles and gloves, strap yourself in, and fly! The plane is connected to an overhead suspension wire, so cannot go out of control. You steer and control the acceleration during your six-minute flight. You can fly as high and fast as you want, and in any direction. There are Fly by Wire sites in Wellington and Queenstown.

gliding & parapenting
Experience the sublime sensation of powerless flight as you soar above the spectacular and breathtaking scenery of New Zealand. For visitors who just want a casual experience of gliding, there are around 23 clubs throughout New Zealand where fully qualified instructors can take you out in a two-seater training glider.

Soar above breathtaking landscapes as you combine the exciting activities of hang-gliding and parachuting. If you are new to parapenting, special instruction is given and you can take a tandem flight with an experienced instructor. The alpine resort of Queenstown is the prime spot for parapenting, with the rugged Remarkables range and Lake Wakatipu providing a stunning backdrop.

horse riding & treks
Operators the length of the country run half day, full day and longer guided treks on New Zealand's beaches, farms, forests, scrublands and high country. Some great locations to try are riding across the highlands of the volcanic plateau in the central North Island, along the sandy beaches of Pakiri, north of Auckland, through the tussock grasslands of the South Island's high country, and around the old mining settlements of the Otago mountain basins.

hot air ballooning
For a touch of romantic adventure, try a peaceful flight in a hot air balloon. Hot air balloon operators can be found at six locations through out New Zealand. In Auckland, you will find yourself drifting above the suburban homes of Auckland City and looking out towards the island-studded Hauraki Gulf. Other flights will take you above lush farmland areas, rivers and lakes. In the South Island, the imposing Southern Alps present an impressive snow-capped backdrop for hot air balloons departing from Christchurch, drifting above the sprawling patchwork of the Canterbury Plains.

hunting & shooting
For some of the finest trophy hunting in the world, come to New Zealand. Large animals hunted include several types of deer (including red, fallow and sika), chamois, tahr, pigs, wallabies and goats, all of which were introduced to New Zealand. In most cases hunting helps keep numbers in check and benefits the environment. A professional guide is recommended due to New Zealand's forests and mountains being quite physically demanding, and the unpredictable weather.

jet boating
A Jet boat ride will take you powering through narrow river gorges, almost brushing against sheer rock faces; or planing through mere centimetres of water navigating the water channels and shingle banks of braided rivers. Some of the most exhilarating jet boat trips are available near Queenstown and Canterbury. Other areas include rivers in the South Island's Buller and Makarora regions; and in the North Island, on the Rangitaiki River, the Whanganui River and the Waikato River below the Huka Falls.

rafting
New Zealand offers a variety of rafting options, with different excitement levels and trip lengths. Grade 1 rivers offer fairly tranquil waters, while grade 5 is regarded as extreme adventure. Trips range from a couple of hours to five days, and are led by qualified rafting guides. All gear and special clothing is provided. Rafting rivers in the North Island are mostly centred on the central East Coast areas of the Bay of Plenty (near Rotorua) and Hawke's Bay. In the South Island, the main areas are around the resort of Queenstown and on the West Coast.

sky diving
Take to the clear skies above New Zealand's beautiful countryside, and then jump from the plane in one of the most exhilarating, adrenaline-pumping thrills you will ever find. If you don't have the experience to jump solo, you can take lessons or jump in tandem with a qualified instructor. No previous experience is required for a tandem jump. Look for operators near Auckland, Rotorua, Taupo, Hastings, Christchurch, Queenstown and Wanaka.

skiing & snowboarding
Internationally renown as a ski destination, New Zealand boasts 12 commercial ski areas, one Nordic cross-country area, 12 club fields and a host of heli-skiing operators. For those who come to ski New Zealand, they will find the variety staggering, the terrain spectacular, and the lines comparatively short.
The two North Island commercial ski fields, one of which is the country's largest, are located on the slopes of Mount Ruapehu in the central North Island. In the South Island, there are four fields centred around Queenstown and Wanaka, together offering some of the finest ski terrain in the world. In the central South Island is Mount Hutt, with the longest ski season in the country.

zorbing
For something truly unique, why not give the kiwi invention of Zorbing a go. A Zorb is a large inflated plastic sphere, with another sphere inside. Just strap yourself in, then roll down the hill! You can reach speeds of up to 50km per hour as you rotate inside an already rotating sphere. Zorbing is very safe, as there is a cushion of air between you and the ground. You can try Zorbing at The Agrodome in Rotorua, or just out of Paihia in the Bay of Islands.