New Zealand is known for being full of adventure! You will always be able to find something that will push you to your limits. From ziplining through ancient forest to racing down giant sand dunes, New Zealand has it all. We have put together a list of the best New Zealand adventure activities you've got to try in New Zealand.
Best New Zealand adventure activities:
1. Bungy Jump in Queenstown
2. Walk the Routeburn track on the West Coast
3. Eco ziplining tour in Rotorua
4. The Squeeze on the Waikato River
5. Kayak in the Abel Tasman
6. Diving on Great Barrier Island
7. Canyoning in the Coromandel
8. Dune Surfing in Te Paki
1. Bungy Jump in Queenstown
Every kiwi and visitor has to do a bungy! There are a few AJ Hackett jumps around New Zealand but the biggest and baddest is the Nevis bungy. The 134m bungy that has 8.5 seconds of free fall is not one for the faint hearted. It is quite the adventure to get to the location, a 35 minute 4x4 ride with a cable car ride out to the jumping platform. As you jump on the count of 3, your breath is instantly knocked out of you. At the Nevis jump you get pulled back up to the platform from where you jumped. It is truly an experience like no other and a must for your list of best New Zealand adventure activities.
Photo: The thrilling AJ Hackett bungy jump at the Kawarau bridge in Queenstown.
2. Walk the Routeburn track on the West Coast
There is nothing better than getting out in New Zealand's backyard and exploring some of it's greatest scenery. The Routeburn track has everything you would want to see on the walk. From snow-capped mountain peaks, deep valleys and large waterfalls, you will not miss out on seeing anything. The 3 day walk that can be walked in either direction is a challenging but rewarding walk as you experience 360 degree views of New Zealand's finest beauty.
3. Eco ziplining tour in Rotorua
Rotorua Canopy Tours is a top attraction located in Rotorua. The two eco-adventure courses deep in the native forest feature a network of ziplines, swing bridges and treetop platforms. Your unique kiwi guides will take you below the surface where you will learn about the past and all about our hopes for the future for this very rare New Zealand forest. This is definitely one attraction you must add to your bucket list of best New Zealand adventure activities.
Photo: Soaring through untouched native forest at Rotorua Canopy Tours
4. The Squeeze on the Waikato River
Adding the squeeze to your bucket list would make for one of the best New Zealand adventure activities. The squeeze is a narrow gap in a cliff face that you maneuver through to reach hot springs surrounded by bush. The special thing about the squeeze is that it can only be accessed by boat. NZ River Jet take exhilarating rides down the Waikato River stopping off at the squeeze. Wading through knee deep water and squeezing through large rock boulders is not an everyday opportunity so make sure you tick it off your list.
5. Kayak in the Abel Tasman
You can't leave the South Island without checking out Abel Tasman's famous coastal lines and clear waters first. The kayaking tours with Abel Tasman Kayaks is a really fun and unique experience. The atmosphere is so calming, there are no sounds of traffic or people while kayaking through some of the clearest waters alongside lush native bush. It is simply stillness with sounds of native wildlife in their natural habitats and is home to hands down some of the best New Zealand beaches.
Photo: Kayaking in the beautiful Abel Tasman, surrounded by clear waters and white sandy beaches.
6. Diving on Great Barrier Island
Great Barrier Island is one of New Zealand's greatest hidden gems that is very remote and very special. It is located around 100km from Auckland via a ferry or plane ride. The island with very few shops and only 800 locals is very isolated because everyone just spends their time out on the water. The clear blue waters and amazing visibility means it has some of the best water for snorkelling and diving. The fish life is incredible with all sorts of breeds and colours swimming underneath you in large schools. It really is one of the most incredible places to go diving in New Zealand.
7. Canyoning in the Coromandel
You'll find an absolutely epic canyoning adventure to add to your best New Zealand adventure activities list on the Coromandel Peninsula. Your expert guides will take you through some of the most beautiful New Zealand landscapes as you push yourself abseiling, jumping and ziplining. The descent down the Sleeping God canyon is over 300m down waterfalls, water slides and includes jumps into pools. You're bound to get the adrenaline pumping on this mind blowing adventure.
Photo: Descent an incredible 300m canyon surrounded by stunning scenery
8. Dune Surfing in Te Paki
Last up on our best New Zealand adventure activities is surfing at the sand dunes. Located at the top of the North Island in Te Paki are the best sand dunes in New Zealand. They are iconic in New Zealand as they are some of the biggest - rising from the grass into beautiful large dunes of golden sand. If you like a bit of thrill try out some sand surfing - you will end up with sand all over you but we promise it is all worth it. There are multiple sand dunes that are all different sizes so there will always be a sand dune that is within your comfort levels. Yet another awesome New Zealand activity to add to your list!
We are definitely not short of some awesome activities here in Aotearoa. Hopefully you've now got an epic list of the best New Zealand adventure activities and we hope to see you getting out there and exploring! Check out other things to do in New Zealand here.
