Adventure Tourism in New Zealand
If adventure sports press all your buttons, get ready for the trip of a lifetime. Bungy, skydiving, caving, canyoning and much more. New Zealand has every adventure activity and extreme sport you can think of – and some you’ve never even heard of! All set to a backdrop of mind-blowing landscapes.
Adventure Experiences in New Zealand
For anyone looking for thrills and excitement, head to the home of adventure tourism – New Zealand.
CYCLING & MOUNTAIN BIKING
Stunning scenery and varied local attractions will compete for your attention as you explore New Zealand’s diverse cycle trails and mountain biking tracks. New Zealand is a great destination for an active cycling or mountain biking break, with accessible riding trails and tracks near most cities and towns. You are guaranteed a cycling holiday to remember, with a fresh experience, panoramic view or beautiful landscape to be found around each bend.
The mostly off-road Great Rides of the New Zealand Cycle Trail introduce both recreational cyclists and passionate mountain bikers to nature, national parks and constantly-changing scenery. Make interesting detours to enjoy arts and culture, a warm local welcome and a wealth of off-the-bike attractions.
Easy riding can be found on trails including the famous Otago Central Rail Trail and Nelson’s Great Taste Trail, where the beautiful coastal route also showcases the region’s wineries, restaurants and artists.
Mountain biking enthusiasts searching out adventure and technical challenges will find the Queenstown Bike Park downhill tracks breathtaking. Other popular mountain biking areas include Rotorua, Taupo, Hamilton – Waikato and Queenstown.
Take in the best of the country right up close!
NATURE & WILDLIFE
Natural spectacles and unique wildlife encounters are two of New Zealand’s biggest draw-cards. There are few places in the world where, within the space of one day, you can experience mountain vistas, ancient forests, volcanic landscapes and stunning coastline – all whilst spotting New Zealand wildlife found nowhere else on earth.
SNOW ACTIVITIES
From June to October, snow transforms New Zealand’s alpine landscapes into winter wonderlands. New Zealand’s international reputation for awesome skiing and snowboarding is well deserved. Uncrowded ski fields cater for all levels, and you often have a choice of several fields within a short drive of each other.
RAFTING
From a quiet drift through forest wilderness to a white-knuckled, wide-eyed journey down turbulent rapids, rafting covers the full adventure spectrum.
The mountains of New Zealand’s interior feed a myriad of fast flowing rivers that run through the forests to the sea. Grade 1 rivers offer relatively tranquil waters, while grade 5 is regarded as an extreme sport. Trips ranging from a couple of hours to five days are led by qualified rafting guides who comply with established safety codes. All gear and special clothing is provided.
Rafting rivers in the North Island are mostly found in the central and east coast areas of Lake Taupo, Bay of Plenty and the Hawke’s Bay. Lake Taupo’s Tongariro River is home to three sections of white water, ranging from Grade 2 to Grade 4. In the South Island, you’ll get the chance to try rafting around the resort town of Queenstown, Christchurch and on the wild West Coast.
Some experiences include a combined helicopter and rafting experience. You can also try black water rafting through underground caves.
CAVING
Waitomo is often top of mind when thinking of caving in New Zealand, however there are many awesome caving sites throughout the country for you to explore.
Spelunkers (cavers) say that New Zealand has some of the most challenging and spectacular caving systems in the world, but even first-time cavers can enjoy our underground scenery. Caving experiences range from a dreamy drift through a glow-worm grotto to a rip-roaring, rope-dangling, action-packed subterranean adventure.
In the North Island the best known caving area is Waitomo Caves in the Waikato region. There are caves that you can simply walk through; there are caves you can float through (this is called black water rafting); and there are caves that require abseiling, climbing and squeezing. Experienced operators here know how to turn you into a caver in a single day.
The South Island has several caving areas – you’ll find guided underground adventures in Nelson, Fiordland and on the West Coast. Harwood’s Hole, just off the main Motueka-Takaka road in the Nelson region, is the deepest sinkhole in the southern hemisphere. You can look into it, but be careful you don’t fall in – it’s 180 metres straight down.
CANYONING
Canyoning is the ultimate adrenalin adventure. Leaping off waterfalls, sliding down rocks and experiencing forest and river areas that few ever get to see. The fine art of canyoning uses every part of your body and requires all kinds of skills – scrambling, climbing, jumping, sliding, abseiling, swimming and shouting “yeehaa” as often as you dare.
It’s a wet business, but you’re equipped with a tough wetsuit that provides warmth and a useful amount of padding (rocks can be sharp!). Under the watchful eye of your guide, you’ll make the journey down natural rock canyons, water-polished chutes, waterfalls, pools and streams.
ABSEILING / RAPPELLING
Abseiling, or rappelling, is an adventure activity suitable for all skill levels. Get a thrill rappelling down a rock face, waterfall or even into a cave!
Controlled descent is an enthralling way to interact with the landscape. And the great thing about abseiling, is that it’s quite easy to learn. After a few lessons, you’ll be slipping down the rope like a master.
In some cases, abseiling is a mode of transport – a way to reach an unknown world. This is certainly the scenario in Waitomo, where it’s necessary to drop 100 metres down a huge tomo (hole) in the earth to reach the Lost World.
Other adventures are focused on the trip down, like abseiling waterfalls in Egmont National Park or descending the rungway on Queenstown Hill.
CLIMBING
Climbing – whether it’s on rock faces or mountain peaks – is a popular outdoor pursuit and New Zealand offers a range of options for all levels of climber.
For the world’s mountaineers, New Zealand is well and truly on the map. Our Southern Alps were Sir Edmund Hillary’s training ground for his historic Everest climb in 1953. With 30 peaks taller than 3000 metres, and Aoraki/Mount Cook scraping the sky at 3753 metres, there’s no shortage of challenging summits to conquer.
Even if you don’t come to New Zealand with a suitcase full of crampons, carabineers and ice picks, mountaineering is not out of the question. If you’ve always wanted to join an expedition and knock off a summit or two, or complete a mountain trek like the Ball Pass, experienced climbing instructors and guides are ready to help.
Rock climbing is another way to embrace New Zealand’s geology in an up-close-and-personal way. There are crags, boulders and cliff faces to ascend in Wanaka, Taranaki, Canterbury and Wellington. Various indoor rock climbing venues provide a chance to practice your technique.
OFF-ROAD DRIVING
A wonderful by-product of New Zealand’s agricultural heritage is our comprehensive network of back-country roads and tracks. Some off-road driving tracks are gravel, some are dirt and others are not much more than a sheep trail up the hillside.
Off-roading in New Zealand could be anything from a chauffeur-driven safari in a luxury Land Rover to a self-drive scoot around the forest on a quad bike. Experiences vary enormously according to where you are in the country. In Northland you can traverse colossal sand dunes on Ninety Mile Beach; Waikato four-wheel-driving could be a blast in a rally car or a quad bike farm tour; Marlborough might see you chasing the good life on a high country sheep station; and Canterbury could mean an alpine adventure in the foothills of the Southern Alps.
So buckle up, start your engine and hold on tight, the scenic wilderness is waiting.
ZIP LINING
The growing trend of zip lining involves an exhilarating mix of adrenaline, speed and nature. Today, zip lining is primarily an adventure thrill ride, but it wasn’t always that way. Originally created out of necessity, zip lining was invented as a method of fast transportation across canyons, rivers and other impassable areas. To create a zipline, cables and pulleys are threaded between two points at a slight angle; gravity then provides the momentum to pull the rider from one point to the next.
New Zealand is home to a number of spectacular zip lining experiences, where visitors can glide through spectacular native forest, across rivers and canyons.
In the North Island, make your way to Waiheke Island, where you’ll zip your way past stunning views of Auckland Harbour, or head to Rotorua for an immersive 3-hour wilderness experience.
In the South Island’s Queenstown you can take a gondola up to the top of Bob’s Peak; then fly through the treetops while gazing out at the Remarkables mountain range and Lake Wakatipu. On the West Coast, you can combine zip lining with river tubing and twinkling glow worms.
JET BOATING
Jet boating is suitable for all ages and levels of fitness and can be enjoyed the whole year round. Sit back, buckle yourself in and feel the acceleration.
The jet boat was developed in the 1950s by New Zealand farmer William (Bill) Hamilton, to allow navigation of the shallow Canterbury rivers. However, enterprising New Zealanders soon realised its potential as an adventure activity.
A New Zealand jet boat ride will take you powering through narrow river gorges, almost brushing against sheer rock faces; or skimming across the surface of water channels that weave through the shingle banks of braided rivers. Some of the most exhilarating trips are available near Queenstown and Canterbury. Other areas include the Buller and Makarora regions in the South Island and the Rangitaiki, Whanganui and Waikato Rivers in the North Island.
BUNGY
For many visitors, bungy jumping in New Zealand has almost become a rite of passage, that they take that heart-stopping leap of faith while they’re here.
In the 1980’s, a couple of young kiwis, AJ Hackett(opens in new window) and Henry van Asch, set up New Zealand’s first commercial bungy jumping operation, with a jump from the historic Kawarau Bridge(opens in new window) near Queenstown. Since then, New Zealand has become the home of bungy, with numerous other operators starting up.
All over the country you can leap from bridges, climbs, rail viaducts, specially made platforms perched on the edge of cliffs, and stadium roofs. The Nevis bungy is the highest and involves an incredible 134-metre plunge. You can also take a leap off the Auckland Harbour Bridge against the backdrop of the beautiful Waitemata Harbour.
In the Central North Island, just upstream from the Huka Falls, lies the Taupo Bungy – 47m above the Waikato River. You can choose to be dunked in the Waikato River below at the end of your jump. Every day of the week locals and tourists alike enjoy the experience of a bungy among stunning landscapes. Bungy jumping remains one of New Zealand’s most popular and renowned leisure activities.
WALKING AND HIKING
Walking and hiking throughout New Zealand is the best way to see beautiful landscapes and explore vast wilderness areas. With thousands of kilometres of tracks, there are walking and hiking options to suit all levels of fitness and experience.
Welcome to a walker’s paradise, where a network of trails winds past rugged coastlines, through farmland, river valleys and towering forest, to dramatic mountain ranges. The diversity of tracks across New Zealand’s national parks and reserves means there’s something for everyone, from leisurely nature trails that bring unique ecosystems into focus, to challenging multi-day adventures in remote, untouched wilderness.
New Zealand’s well-established and maintained trail network offers a remarkably diverse array of hikes for every ability and interest.
Short walks and day hikes
If there’s a special place to visit or something remarkable to see, you can be sure that there’s a short walk or day hike that’ll take you there. A great way to get to know New Zealand when you’re short on time, fitness, or don’t want to carry a heavy pack, these trails are well formed and signposted, and usually easy to reach from major highways.
New Zealand’s Great Walks
The ten Great Walks are two to six-day adventures on well-formed and signposted tracks. There’s plenty of easy walking, but some steep, challenging terrain means a moderate to high level of fitness is required for them all. Their length and topography combined with New Zealand’s unpredictable weather make it essential to understand outdoor safety.
Each Great Walk has been selected for unique combinations of cultural significance, exceptional scenery, and accessibility. Over the Great Walks season between October and April, huts along the tracks are equipped with flushing toilets, cooking gas, and other comforts that aren’t typically seen in DOC huts. As these walks are popular, will need to book these huts in advance.
Multi-day walks
Aside from the Great Walks, there are plenty more overnight hikes to be enjoyed – independently or with a guide – offering deep exploration on trails dotted with huts, campsites and lodges.
New Zealand’s best hikes
Tackle the Tongariro Crossing, walk through the Hooker Valley to get a glimpse of the tallest mountain in New Zealand, or make your way up to Roy’s Peak for epic views of Lake Wanaka. There are countless hikes all over Aotearoa. Check out the best hikes and most popular trails in New Zealand.
SKYDIVING
Skydiving in New Zealand is a popular adventure activity. What better way is there to take in the amazing views than from thousands of feet above it all?
Welcome to the rush of skydiving. There is nothing like skydiving for sheer heart-stopping adrenalin and adventure and there is no place like New Zealand to do it.
New Zealand’s magnificent landscapes take on an extra dimension when you’re 12,000 feet in the air. Skydive in Lake Wanaka or Queenstown and you will look from the vastness of the Central Otago high country to the snow-capped mountains surrounding the jewel-like lakes. At the other end of the country, Lake Taupo has the largest commercial drop zone in the world and stunning views of volcanoes, forests and the lake itself. A Bay of Plenty skydive flight will take you over gleaming waters and geothermal wonders.
There are many skydiving operations throughout New Zealand and all offer tandem jumps. You’ll have experienced skydivers taking you-step-by-step through what to do on your jump and what to expect. If you’re a skydiver yourself don’t forget to bring your licence.
WATER ACTIVITIES
Thousands of kilometres of coastline, lakes and rivers herald New Zealand as a water sports mecca.
Sailing, surfing, diving, fishing – Kiwis love the water and we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to water activities. Indulging your passion for the water is easy to do here in New Zealand and limited only by your imagination.
