Adventure activities for almost everyone are available in New Zealand. If you are up for some thrilling adventure, New Zealand is the destination for you. Travelers who want to blend their love of the outdoors with their adventurous spirit can do a lot here. New Zealand has all the adventures and activities to fulfill your hunger for adrenaline and excitement and we have narrowed down on some of the best things to do in New Zealand.
Off Road in New Zealand
New Zealand’s high country has rough tracks built to give an access to timber-milling settlements, old mining and farms and there are a lot of less frequented scenic wonders here. A sturdy and tough four wheel drive vehicle is needed to explore this part of the country. Expect a lot of adventure while you get off road here. Safari through native bush, seeing logging drives, going besides unpopulated beaches and exploring deep canyons or volcanic terrain is something to thrill you.
Sailing
New Zealanders are passionate for sailing and it is evident from several crafts out on the harbour during weekends and evenings, particularly in summer. The best can be experienced at Auckland, also known as the ‘City of Sails’. This place has abundant opportunities for sailing. Day trips on Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour are available year-round with yachting schools teaching short courses to beginners.
Kayaking and Canoeing
This is the perfect way to explore rivers, beaches and lakes of New Zealand. Explore the incredible coastline with sea kayaking. It is perfect to witness seals, penguins, and other wildlife. You can find many guided sea kayaking trips and the popular hotspots of these are Hauraki Gulf and the Bay of Islands in the North Island, and in the Abel Tasman National Park, Fiordland in the South Island and Marlborough Sounds.
Those who want more of an adrenaline rush will find a number of excellent white water kayaking opportunities in New Zealand. Parts that have more of these opportunities are Rangitaiki, Kaituna, Rangitikei, Mohaka, and the Wairoa rivers in the North Island, and the Grey, Buller, Hurunui, Rangitata, and Kawarau rivers in the South Island. There are simply perfect rivers here for canoeing.
Caving
This is something that you will not forget. It is different and an incredible experience. New Zealand caves are limestone caves, or its metamorphic variety marble, but there are some lava caves, mainly around Auckland.
There are caves in virtually every part of New Zealand. The best out of these are Waitomo, north-west Nelson, and North Westland. Spelunkers (or cavers) states that New Zealand has some of the most challenging caving systems in the world.
Glaciers
Nowhere in the entire world, glaciers are so accessible. On the West Coast, bits and pieces of the ice age flow from enormous snowfields of the Southern Alps to valley floors just 300 metres above sea level. More than 50 per cent of Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park area is covered by glaciers.
Glaciers enable us to see geological movement in a more comprehensible time scale. Glaciers in New Zealand move quite quickly – up to 200 metres a year.
The most popular glaciers in NZ are Fox and Franz Josef glaciers on the South Island’s West Coast. These are very easy to access and are a sheer treat for mountaineers and hikers.
You will find many companies offering guided excursions to explore the spectacular ice formations. Get deep into one of the most exquisite flora and fauna in the entire world here.
Surfing
Surfing in New Zealand has grown to become one of New Zealand’s favourite recreational activities since the 1960’s. This place has the perfect climate and waves for surfing. For many young New Zealanders surfing is a significant part of life as they live close to the best beaches. Summer is obviously the best time to surf in New Zealand but the climate here is not harsh and this allows surfing all year round.
Motorcycles and Quad Biking
This is something that will take you deep into native forest, single track and high country farmland and proves to be a whiff of fresh air on wide open roads.
Guides are available to show you the best of two wheeled motoring in New Zealand. Rent out a bike and there you go experiencing the country the way it should be. Tour packages, with or without a guide, are available from major cities.
