If there is one thing that New Zealand is renowned for, it’s adventure. Thrill-seekers and adrenaline junkies can get their fix in pretty much any part of New Zealand, just because there are so many experiences on offer here. If you’re planning to head to this stunning part of the world and aren’t sure which adventure activities to try, here are five of the best.
Diving and snorkeling in the Bay of Islands
The Bay of Islands was the first colonial capital of New Zealand and is comprised of over 140 subtropical islands. Here, the water is crystal clear, making it the perfect place for diving and snorkeling adventures. The Bay of Islands has long been on our list of must-visit destinations in New Zealand, and the Maritime Park here is ideal for thrill-seekers. Once you’re done underwater, you can enjoy a truly rustic experience by staying on a farm in the area. Not only is the Bay of Islands gorgeous, but it is packed full of adventures too.
Jump off Sky Tower in Auckland
If you head to Auckland, one of the first things you’ll probably notice is one giant building that stands out from all of the others. That’s Sky Tower, which stands at 328 meters high, and is the tallest building in the whole of the southern hemisphere. Sure, you could just climb up to the top and make the most out of the observation decks’ 360-degree views, but you could also go one step further. The SkyJump here will see you plummet 192 meters down at 85 km an hour, for an adrenaline rush unlike any other. If you don’t want to jump, you can do the SkyWalk along the narrow walkway around the Sky Tower – that’s still enough to get your blood pumping!
Skydive in Queenstown
There are plenty of amazing places to skydive in New Zealand, but Queenstown definitely takes the trophy as one of the best. Head up in a plane to 15,000ft before being thrown out above the glorious Queenstown landscape. Of course, you’ll be doing this in tandem with an expert, and you’ll have a parachute, so it’s perfectly safe, and it’s an adventure you’ll never forget. According to the Secret Traveller blog on 1Cover, Queenstown is also one of the best party towns in the world, too. So, once you’ve recovered from the 15,000ft drop, you can head out and party like a true Kiwi.
Explore Waitomo Caves
Waitomo Caves are a must-visit if you’re on the North Island of New Zealand, whether you’re a thrill-seeker or not. The glow-worm studded caves are a truly magical experience that you can enjoy at your own pace. If you love adventure, then abseil, jump, and climb through the caves with the other thrill-seekers. If you’d prefer something a little more relaxed, there are also tours through Waitomo Caves that are a bit more family-friendly. Either way, this is definitely something you’ll want to add to your list.
Zipline across the Rotorua Canopy
Rotorua Canopy Tours have been flinging people across an ancient forest for over half a decade, and have thousands of five-star reviews from happy adventurers. Their original canopy tour will take you across swing bridges and a total of 600 meters of ziplines, for a mind-blowing experience surrounded by beautiful scenery.
If you’re feeling a bit more hardcore, however, they have recently added a higher, longer, and more spectacular experience which includes a cliff walk, abseiling, a spiral staircase, and 1200 meters of ziplines. Which one are you feeling brave enough for?
There are so many adventure activities in New Zealand – it was hard picking just five! Which of these do you really want to try? Or have you already tried one of them? Let us know in the comments.
