Are you planning for your next trip to New Zealand? Your holiday would be incomplete if you do not add some unique, thrilling and eye-popping adventure activities to your list of to-do things. New Zealand is among one of the top countries that offers several adventurous activities for adrenaline fans. There is so much to do in New Zealand that you probably won't be able to do everything you want to unless you give yourself enough time and plan well.
If you are visiting the country for the first time then it is advisable to research which activities you want to do most so you can budget for them. When you stay at a Base Hostel speak to one of the travel agents inhouse who can help you plan your trip and activities around New Zealand so that you make the most of your trip. New Zealand has a large network of tour operators so your trip would certainly be an adventurous one. Listed below are 8 exhilarating activities that are perfect for adrenaline junkies.
8 NZ Activities Perfect For Arenaline Junkies
River Rafting
There are numerous fast-flowing rivers in New Zealand and an equal amount of rafting options. Depending on your preference, you can choose a Grade 1 river which offers tranquil waters or go up to Grade 5 which is for the thrill seekers. If you select Grade 5 then you will be taken on a rollercoaster ride right in the waters, as your raft could spin around in circles, stand straight up, or drop 7 meters down. There are also rafting trips that consist of a couple of hours to five days, so plan your itinerary accordingly.
Jet Boating
Once you are done with river rafting, you can go for a jet boat ride, which will take you through narrow river gorges brushing against rocks and making your ride exhilarating. The high-speed jet boat ride with thrilling 360 degree turns is pretty amazing. It is suitable for all ages so if you are traveling with kids then you must experience this one. Queenstown and Canterbury are famous for their jet boat rides. You will come across several online touring companies offering various deals for jet boating so pick one as per your preferences.
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Skydiving
New Zealand has been listed as one of the best places to skydive in the world so if you are visiting this beautiful country then you should add skydiving to your to-do list. However, you certainly need courage to jump from 15,000 feet with about 60 seconds of freefall at 200km/hour. If you are skydiving for the first time then choose your altitude from 15,000, 12,000, or 9,000 feet. One thing is for sure, that there won’t be a better way to see beautiful views of New Zealand from thousands of feet above ground level, so embrace your fears and go for it!
Bungy Jumping
Bungy jumping is certainly not for the faint hearted, so do it at your own risk! If you want to experience the highest fall then try the Nevis bungy, which offers an incredible 134 meter plunge. There are several options available in New Zealand like taking a leap from bridges, stadium roofs, climbs, or specially made platforms. If you want to push your adrenaline levels higher then you may consider dipping into the sea right after bungee jumping. You may even plan to go for a night bungee jumping and make the experience all the more exhilarating. So, choose any one and just throw yourself off!
Active Volcano Walking Tour
New Zealand’s only active marine volcano is at White Island. There are several tour providers departing from Rotorua City Lakefront to join the walking tour on the active crater floor. Your tour will begin with a helicopter ride that will drop you down to the crater floor. Here, you will be provided with a helmet and breathing mask. You are supposed to walk towards the active volcano. A few meters of waking will make your eyes watery, throat sour, and you will start coughing. You will be able to feel the heat of the crater and there will be smoke and bubbles everywhere. The closer you get the sulphur fumes get more intense. It certainly would be one of the most unique walking tours that you have ever experienced. Ensure that you wear proper clothing and good travel shoes, so that you can walk comfortably.
Hiking At The Tongariro Alpine Crossing
If you want to experience a full-day challenging hike then you should try it out at the Tongariro Crossing. It is a 20kms long hike, which offers beautiful views of Lake Taupo as well as smelly areas as some places have sulphur in the air. Tongariro National Park is the oldest in New Zealand as it was founded in 1887. It's well worth visiting some of the other New Zealand National Parks as well though. Before you start with your hike, ensure that you are well-prepared by wearing good hiking shoes and appropriate clothing. The weather is unpredictable and changes quickly, so you should be prepared with all essentials for your trek like warm clothing, hat, sunscreen, first aid kit, food, and plenty of water. If you are unable to hike the entire area then you may get back soon.
Canyoning
Canyoning is one of the world’s fastest growing adventure sports and you should add this to your bucket list during your trip to New Zealand. It is a thrilling ride, which has an ultimate mix of scenic beauty and adventure. It is a seasonal activity and is usually available between the months of November to March and depends on weather conditions. In this fun activity, you need to climb, jump, zip line, abseil, and do everything else to have a blast. If you are performing the activity for the first time then it is better to visit Geraldine, as it offers the easiest canyon activity in the country. For the adrenaline junkies, you should visit Thames and enjoy an 80m drop in between the beautiful waterfalls. Auckland and Queenstown have two of the most popular canyoning companies in the country.
Scuba Dive
If you enjoy scuba diving then you will surely be spoilt for choice as there are numerous kinds of dives available in New Zealand. The best time to dive is in the months of January to June. You can see beautiful and colorful fishes and several other sea mammals in the clean and clear waters of New Zealand. If you want to have a different kind of experience, then you can descent after dark or inquire about kayak diving from your travel agent. To view some remote reefs, you may be taken by boat to a distant place on the islands.
All in all, New Zealand offers a plethora of adventurous activities. You should add at least some of the aforesaid 8 thrilling recreations to your itinerary and have an unforgettable stay in New Zealand.
Author: Aistis is from Lithuania. He has been to almost 50 countries and still actively counting. Due to such an interesting travel experience he started a blog to share his knowledge with the world.
