New Zealand should be on the radar for those who love adventure vacations. There is no end to the hiking trails you can relive Lord of the Rings on. Take on the Tongariro Crossing, finding lava flows, an active crater, and lakes with emerald water. Or admire the country’s highest peak, Aoraki Mountain, from a boat ride, helicopter, or even a skydive.
New Zealand: The Perfect Country for Adventure Seekers
Best traveled by road
Outside the cities, New Zealand is sparsely populated and full of breathtaking scenery. To put it into perspective, New Zealand has slightly less surface area than Colorado and slightly more than the United Kingdom. Its population comes to just over 5.1 million.
To get the most out of New Zealand, take the road. Hiring a campervan and bringing along some camping equipment might be the most enriching way to take in the landscape.
Both the North Island and the South Island are packed with national parks, ripe with camping and hiking opportunities:
North Island
- Coromandel Forest Park – Just over 2 hours from Aukland by car, the Coromandel is an unspoiled area of mountains, rainforest, and white sand beaches.
- Bay of Islands – located up on the northern coastline of the North Island, this subtropical region is a maritime adventurer’s haven. Linked by a ferry service, it’s possible to camp on Urupukapuka Island. Partake in water sports and admire the numerous penguins, dolphins, and whales that live in the waters.
South Island
- Abel Tasman National Park – Cruise, walk, or kayak your way through this coastal region. Explore the clear streams that wind through the valleys on their way to the ocean, overlooked by fascinating granite and marble formations.
- Fiordland National Park (Milford Sound) – Traverse glacier-formed valleys, enjoying the views of all fourteen fiords. Milford Sound is the most noteworthy, described by Rudyard Kipling as the ‘eighth wonder of the world’.
- Queenstown – Known as the ‘adventure capital of the world’, there’s no shortage of things to do here. Take the Queenstown Gondola up Bob’s Peak, tear around Queenstown Luge, cycle, and hike. Wind down in the Onsen Hot Pools as the day comes to a close.
- Mackenzie Region, Mt. Cook National Park – This is where you’ll find New Zealand’s tallest peak. The nearby Hooker Valley track is a popular way to hike the area. Take three swing bridges along the way, complete with views of icebergs, glaciers, and a glacier lake – and of course, the mountain itself.
The best adrenaline activities
Adrenaline junkies can certainly get their fill of excitement in New Zealand. Here’s an idea of the activities you can partake in, and where you can go to do them.
- Bungy jumping – you’ll find spots for bungy jumping all over the country, from bridges, rail viaducts, and cliff edges. Near Queenstown, you can take a leap from AJ Hacket’s Kawarau Bridge or from the 134m high Nevis Bungy (New Zealand’s highest bungy).
- Canyoning – Descend rivers and streams the fun way: walking, abseiling and ziplining! Many canyoning tours operate from Wanaka, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed canyon.
- Sky diving – See New Zealand’s peaks and glaciers from a new perspective! You can even skydive over the magnificent landscape of Mount Cook/Aoraki.
- Rafting – There are some exceptional spots for white water rafting on the Tongariro River. You might even see a rare blue duck!
- Heliskiing – Initially, access the more remote areas by helicopter, then ski down crisp and fresh powdery snow! The Southern Alps are the tallest peaks you’ll find in Australasia, so it’s the perfect spot.
Is New Zealand on your bucket list? Which adventurous pursuits are you keen to try out?
