It is no secret that New Zealand has some of the most beautiful natural landscapes in the world. This small island country in the South Pacific Ocean is filled with incredible, memorable outdoor adventure opportunities, ideal for first-timers and seasoned adrenaline seekers alike.
Most international travelers have limited time in New Zealand, so it is important to make the most of your opportunities. Thankfully, regardless of whether you only stick to one island or embark on a country-wide trip, there are plenty of adventures waiting to welcome you to the mighty Aotearoa.
For anyone crossing into New Zealand for the first time who regularly indulges in vape and vaping products, it is important to note that while it is legal, it is a highly regulated industry. Disposable vapes are entirely banned, while reusable vapes, including ALT vapes, are allowed but cannot be used in public areas.
Jet Boating
Jet boating is arguably one of the most popular adventure activities in Queenstown, a picturesque town on the South Island affectionately known as the adventure capital of the world. Not only is it highly enjoyable, but it is also a fantastic and affordable way to hit the waters and soak up the unique vantage points this opportunity offers.
From inside a speed boat, you will speed around lakes and rivers, stopping just inches away from the shoreline or rocks, under the skillful driving of a trained driver. Your guide will perform impressive 360-degree spins, ensuring you don’t miss any adrenaline-inducing moments.
Heli-Skiing
New Zealand’s winter season runs from mid-June to Mid-September, give or take, and skiing opportunities are as wild as you may expect for a country well-known and well-loved for its nature-based adventures. The ultimate snow adventure is heli-skiing across terrain suitable for intermediate riders and skiing experts.
Southern Lakes Heliski is a popular adventure tour company that offers guided trips down the fluffy white slopes surrounding Lake Wanaka. However, there are plenty of different opportunities to take to the skies, and then the slopes, across New Zealand for an afternoon of ultimate adrenaline.
Skydiving
Skydiving is probably one of the most extreme activities you can do in any country, and New Zealand ensures you have plenty of opportunities to tick it off your bucket list. Like many adventure activities around the country, you have a few different options to pick from. You can choose between 9,000 feet, 12,000 feet, or 15,000 feet jumps, which differ based on the amount of free-fall time and the price.
Alternatively, you can book a full-day tour to Mount Cook, which includes a 10,000, 13,000, 15,000 foot skydive. This unique opportunity allows you to explore New Zealand’s highest mountain from the sky, ensuring you see everything this spectacular country has to offer.
Blackwater Rafting
The glowworm caves in New Zealand are among the most distinctive attractions in the country. These massive, ancient subterranean caverns are spectacular to witness in real life, with thousands of blue glowworms twinkling around you like stars in a night sky.
But take your visit to these caves to another level in Waitomo, situated on the North Island, via a blackwater rafting tour. After zipping yourself up in a thick and warm wetsuit, you will head deep into the caves to swim, float, slide, zip line, rappel, and jump in an underground canyoning adventure.
Ziplining
If you are after spectacular panoramic views without the fear-inducing plunge of bungee jumps, ziplining is the activity for you. Soar through the sky through plush treetops, which offer you a prime opportunity to take in the beauty of the New Zealand landscape, one of the biggest draws to Queenstown on the South Island.
When booking your zipline tour, there are multiple different experiences to pick from, based on how many lines you want to do, how high you want to go, and your budget. The Moa Tour is a great option for anyone embarking on their first ziplining adventure, while the Kereru Tour is shorter than the Moa but a lot more thrilling towards the end. For the ultimate adventure, opt for the Kea Tour, which offers 6 lines along with the world’s steepest zipline, descending 30 stories at a whopping 44 miles an hour.
Volcanic Exploration
New Zealand is part of the infamous Pacific Ring of Fire and is colloquially known as the Shaky Isles. Earthquakes are a common occurrence across these islands, with plenty of geothermal hot spots drawing in visitors every year.
Rotorua, located on the North Island, is largely considered the epicenter of many of these geothermal wonders, a feature you become well aware of as soon as you arrive. The notorious sulfuric smell is commonly linked to geothermal activity in the air, with plumes of steam rising over large parts of the town. A visit to nearby Tongariro National Park offers fantastic day-trip hiking opportunities, specifically the Tongariro Crossing, a 19.4-mile alpine trek that traverses jaw-dropping volcanic landscapes, including the Iconic Mount Doom from The Lord of the Rings.
Subantarctic Island Travel
Most travelers to New Zealand are familiar with the three main islands that make up this fantastic southern hemisphere country: the North Island, the South Island, and Stewart Island. But very few international visitors know about a small group of astonishing subantarctic islands located between the South Island and Antarctica.
Because they are not populated by humankind, they are teeming with a variety of exciting and beautiful wildlife. To set foot on these lands, you will need to traverse some of the roughest waters in the world, the Southern Ocean, via a charter ship with Heritage Expeditions. However, once you have made the trip, you will be welcomed by thousands of penguins and enormous albatross surrounded by a breathtaking winter wonderland.
