A guide to New Zealand for adventure lovers
It is almost impossible to spend a “normal holiday” in this beautiful country, with so many mountains, glaciers and lakes waiting to be explored. I’ve compiled a list of my top tips for anyone looking for adventure in New Zealand – from zorbing to skydiving.
Bungee Jump in Queenstown
For the ultimate thrill, head to Queenstown and book a bungee jump at Nevis – the highest bungee jump in Australia and New Zealand. When you’re standing on the impossibly small jumping platform at 134 metres, you’ll question every decision that led you to do it, but the adrenaline rush is incomparable. Smile for the camera and send the photos home to your family!
Zorbing in Rotorua
It’s hard to roll downhill with dignity in a giant hamster ball, but you’ll have so much fun you won’t care. A gentle push will send you down one of three paths: fast, zigzag or drop. Nothing will wipe the smile off your face and you’ll be itching to go again. New Zealand is the home of zorbing and is still one of the few places where this unique sport is practiced. Check it off your bucket list!
Tongariro Alpine Crossing
Visit Mount Doom from Lord of the Rings (Mount Ngauruhoe) and explore the craters and alpine lakes. This one-day, 19km hike is not for the faint hearted – the aptly named Devil’s Steps are particularly challenging – but it’s worth it for the views of Mount Ngauruhoe and the 400m slide down volcanic ash to the Emerald Lakes.
Skydiving in Taupo, Franz Josef or Queenstown
Fancy jumping out of a flying plane? New Zealand offers plenty of opportunities, such as in Taupo, Queenstown or Franz Joseph, where you can jump from up to 19,000 feet above one of the country’s largest glaciers.
SUP in the Abel Tasman
Stand up paddle The crystal clear waters of Abel Tasman National Park invite you to explore on a stand up paddleboard. Join a guided tour or hire your own for a couple of hours and head around the corner to Split Apple Rock, which legend has it was split by two Maori gods fighting over ownership.
Climb the Fox Glacier or Franz Joseph Glacier
Climbing a glacier is like entering a whole other world. A spectacular helicopter flight takes you to the glacier, where you put on crampons and spend the day exploring crevasses and learning how to climb the ice wall. There’s nothing like the sight of the seemingly endless glacier above you as you climb. Warning: glaciers are constantly changing structures and moving on them can be dangerous. Unless you are an experienced climber, do not go without a guide.
The Great Tramp Walk
Tramp is the Kiwi word for hike, and no New Zealand holiday is complete without completing the Great Walk. The most popular is the Milford Track, which is easily booked six months in advance. Other lesser known but equally remarkable trails are the Routeburn and Kepler Tracks. All three are located in Fjordland National Park, where alpine valleys and views of various sounds and the Tasman Sea await.
Black water rafting in Waitomo
Glow worms are a highlight of the North Island. Instead of hopping in a boat, grab a tube and wetsuit and plunge into the river that winds through the Ruakuri Caves. You’ll get a great view of the rainbow worms as you wade through the river and rappel into the caves.
Paddling in Milford Sound
Skip the crowded ferries and hop in a kayak for a more intimate tour of this famous fjord. You’ll be able to get up close to sea lions and, if you’re lucky, a pod of playful dolphins. Don’t be put off if it rains, the waterfalls that appear as a result are a great bonus. These are just a few examples of what New Zealand has to offer. However you choose to spend your holiday in the Midlands, it is sure to be a memorable one.
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