So much to do!

Here are just a few of the many incredible activities on offer in New Zealand.

4WD adventure

Hire a quad bike or a 4WD vehicle and get off the beaten track.
 

Adrenaline rush

Are you looking for an adrenaline rush on your holiday? Then you’ve come to the right place! From adrenaline-pumping thrills for brave (and not so brave!) beginners to hard-core action for professionals, New Zealand is renowned for its adventure activities – it’s a thrill-seeker’s paradise! The most famous of New Zealand’s adventure activities is bungy jumping. In 1988 the world’s first commercial bungy jump opened at the Kawarau Bridge near Queenstown, and now visitors can experience this activity all over the country. Try a night jump or take a leap off the iconic Auckland Harbour Bridge – if you dare! Or how about riding an inner-tube on an underground river (black-water rafting)? It’s a totally magical experience. Zorbing is a truly unmissable adventure. Strapped into an enormous plastic, air-cushioned ball, participants are rolled down a slope – surprisingly comfortable and safe! Most activities can be enjoyed by people at a range of skill levels, and New Zealand operators abide by the strictest of safety standards and quality control systems.

Boating

View the landscape from the deck of a yacht, indulge in a dinner cruise, or combine boating with fishing, diving or whale watching. Go island-hopping in the magical Bay of Islands or take an Auckland Harbour boat tour at dusk to see the city lights. Cruise alongside pristine waterfalls in Fiordland or explore alpine rivers in remote backcountry on a high-powered jet boat.

Bungy jumping

From Auckland’s Harbour Bridge to a night bungy in Queenstown.

Caving

Abseil into an immense cavern or slide down an underground waterfall.

Cycling

New Zealanders are keen cyclists and an increasing number of cycle-based activities are becoming available. Some visitors choose to travel the entire country by bike, while others prefer to explore a few localities. In New Zealand, cyclists must wear helmets on the road. Rent a mountain bike to explore the landscape or take a cycle tour with a group. In Marlborough and Wairarapa, visitors can even take a wine tour by bike. The Otago Central Rail Trail, in Central Otago, is a hugely popular 150-kilometre cycle trail through stunning scenery. Competitive cyclists might plan a holiday around one of the major cycling events, such as the Wattyl Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge. For more on New Zealand cycling events, visit www.cyclingnz.com.

Diving

A mix of currents from the Antarctic and the tropics, which results in a remarkable diversity of species, combined with clear water ensures that New Zealand is a popular dive location. There are numerous marine reserves, such as the Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve off Northland, while in the Cavalli Islands, you can dive the wreck of the Rainbow Warrior. For beginners, instruction and certification programmes are available, while experienced divers should bring their Diver’s Certification Card. Dive New Zealand www.divenewzealand.com contains a wealth of information for divers.

Fishing & hunting

New Zealand offers great fishing and hunting. Try big game fishing in the Bay of Islands or The Coromandel. Fish for Brown and Rainbow Trout throughout the country (particularly Rotorua, Taupo, Canterbury and Southland) or salmon in Canterbury and on the West Coast. A licence is required and regulations govern quantities and minimum catch sizes. www.fishandgame.org.nz New Zealand also offers fine waterfowl and trophy hunting. A professional guide will provide you with the best local knowledge, arrange permits and ensure your safety. www.fishnhunt.co.nz, www.fishandgame.org.nz

Flightseeing

Helicopters, fixed-wing or float planes offer scenic flights, fly-fishing and heli-ski packages, air taxi services and charter flights in many locations. Fly over White Island, an active offshore volcano or spot whales at Kaikoura! Omarama in the South Island is well-known for its optimal gliding conditions. Some clubs offer flights with a qualified instructor. Another tranquil option is a scenic flight in a hot air balloon. Experience the thrill of a tandem paragliding flight or, for the biggest adrenaline rush of all, try skydiving! Jump sites are located all around the country and it offers a new perspective on the landscape. Choose a tandem jump or take lessons and jump solo.

Golf

Golf is popular in New Zealand and there are more than 400 crowd-free golf courses where visitors can play year-round – more golf courses per capita than any other country! There are breathtaking international courses like Kauri Cliffs in Northland, Gulf Harbour Country Club north of Auckland, Cape Kidnappers in Hawke’s Bay, Clearwater Resort in Christchurch, Terrace Downs in Canterbury and Millbrook Resort in Queenstown offering world-class golfing in unparalleled scenery. But there is also an excellent selection of inexpensive golf courses scattered the length of the country. Even the smallest country golf course offers a tranquil way to unwind in a beautiful landscape – and the fees are remarkably inexpensive. www.bestofgolfnewzealand.com, www.nzga.co.nz

Golfing Highlights

Amongst the world’s Top 50 golf courses listed on www.bestofgolfnewzealand.com are Kauri Cliffs in Northland and Cape Kidnappers Lodge & Golf Course in Hawke’s Bay. New Zealand offers an excellent choice of golf courses for all golf players. These include:

Carrington Resort Northland
Kauri Cliffs Northland
Formosa Golf Resort Auckland
Lakes Resort Golf & Country Club Pauanui
Rotorua Golf Club Rotorua
Wairakei International Golf Course Taupo
Cape Kidnappers Lodge & Golf Course Hawke’s Bay
Clearwater Resort Christchurch
Terrace Downs Canterbury
Arrowtown Golf Club Arrowtown
Jacks Point Queenstown
Millbrook Resort Queenstown

Heli-skiing

Fly into the mountains to ski or board untracked powder.

Ice climbing

Experience a climb on an incredible glacier with a guided tour.

Mountain biking

Trails range from entry-level to remote and extreme.

Paragliding

Leap off a cliff and admire the scenery as you glide all the way down!

Skiing & Snowboarding

New Zealand is the ultimate destination for skiers and snowboarders. The seasons occur in reverse of the Northern Hemisphere, with the ski season usually running from June to October. A good snow base and warmer temperatures make spring skiing in New Zealand a big draw. In both islands, there are big and small fields, with opportunities for downhill skiing and snowboarding, cross-country skiing and terrain parks for freestylers. All levels are catered for. Larger fields offer dedicated areas for learners, while extreme skiers and snowboarders will relish the unique thrill of heli-skiing in pristine and remote locations. Renting or purchasing good quality equipment is easy in cities and ski resorts. Most ski areas also rent gear on site. If you are heading out to the slopes, it’s best to check conditions before you leave. The latest weather forecasts for the mountain areas are available at www.metservice.co.nz.

North Island

1. Central North Island Ski a volcano on the North Island’s volcanic plateau.
2. Taranaki Great snowboarding on Mt Taranaki.

South Island

3. Nelson Uncrowded ski slopes.
4. Canterbury New Zealand’s largest variety of ski areas.
5. Mackenzie Blue lakes and mountains are an awesome scenic backdrop.
6. Southern Lakes Adventure capital, on and off the mountains. Downhill, freestyle and cross-country action.

Skydiving

This extreme thrill is even better against a backdrop of stunning scenery.

Sledging

Grab onto a body board and hurtle head-first down thrilling rapids.

Surfing

New Zealand is a great surfing destination, with a huge variety of different breaks around the coastline. Piha, on Auckland’s west coast, has long been a Mecca for surfers, as has the beach village of Raglan, in the Waikato. Northland offers great surf, especially on the Tutukaka Coast north of Whangarei. Whangamata in The Coromandel is a drawcard for surfers, while the Bay of Plenty is home to a long arc of surf beach perfect for beginners and pros alike. Gisborne, in Eastland, offers easy access to numerous surf beaches. Taranaki is renowned for offering great surf no matter what the prevailing wind, due to its curving coastline. In the South Island, Kaikoura and St Clair Beach in Dunedin are popular spots (but you’ll need a wetsuit!).

Water activities

You’re never far from the water in this island nation! Explore parts of the landscape you can’t reach by land, get up-close to New Zealand’s unique wildlife and enjoy the pleasure of being out on the water. Kayak and canoe adventures are available at numerous locations. Join a canoe expedition on the tranquil Whanganui River or Buller Gorge on the West Coast, and don’t miss out on the thrill of sea kayaking. The Bay of Islands, The Coromandel and Marlborough Sounds are all perfect for kayaking, while overnight kayaking trips in Nelson’s Abel Tasman National Park are unforgettable. Other popular water activities are windsurfing, kite-surfing and water skiing.

White-water

Rafting, sledging and tubing the pristine white water of fast-running rivers in a wild landscape are popular activities with thrill-seekers. The Wairoa River in the Bay of Plenty, Tongariro National Park in the Ruapehu region and Rangitata River in Canterbury are all popular, but there are dozens of other places to try your hand. A unique alternative to try is black-water rafting on an underground river – sample this amazing experience in the Waitomo Caves. Be aware that powerful rivers can be dangerous, so join a guided expedition for safety’s sake.

Zorbing

Participants are strapped into a plastic ball and rolled down a hill.