Top 5 New Zealand Adventure Activities

I traveled to New Zealand a cautious individual to take in the majestic scenery of the country, but left a thrill-seeker looking for new ways to feed my new-found craving for adrenaline.  I believe the extreme landscapes of the rugged country have led New Zealand to become the world's top adventure activity destination.  Below are my five favorite adventure activities that I have completed so far; please comment and let me know what I have missed!

Franz Josef Glacier H

5. Hike the Franz Josef or Fox Glacier
The Franz Joseph and Flox Glaciers are the West Coast of New Zealand's top tourist destinations, for good reason.  The 12km rivers of ice are unpredictable and constantly moving, creating landscapes that look like they belong on icy planet billions of miles from earth.  There are options to see the glacier for just about every level of adventure and cost, including hikes, helicopter tours, and ice climbing!  Touring the glaciers will let you see immensity and power of glaciers that can't be conveyed by pictures of video alone.  If you are really looking for an adventure, ask your tour guide to let you take a "polar plunge" in one of the many glacial pools!  


4. Rock n Ropes in Lake Taupo

Ropes Course New Zealand

Rock'n Ropes is a ropes course with challenges up to 13 meters in the air.  Rock'n Ropes is located five minutes north of Lake Taupo.  The course has a rickety bridge, high wires, a trapeze, and many other challenges.  I was surprised by how simple tasks (like walking) became extremely difficult once I was 13 meters in the air.  For me, the highlight of the course was a giant swing that made my stomach drop more than any roller coaster or amusement park ride.  Completing the course gave me the courage to some of the other NZ adventure activities, like bungee jumping and sky diving!  

3. Spelunking the Waitomo Caves
Located on the North Island an hour from Hamilton, the Waitomo Caves are believed to be over two million years old.  They are home to "glow worms" that line the cave and do just what their name suggests.  I explored the Waitomo Caves with Waitomo Adventures. because they offer the most hands-on, strenuous, and exciting tour.  On the tour, I abseiled (rapelled) into the caves, climbed rock cliffs, crawled through cave tunnels, battled underground waterfalls, and got up close and personal with those famous glow worms.  This adventure is not for those uncomfortable in cramped spaces, scared of the dark, or afraid to get wet (you even wear a wet suit)!  By the end of the tour, I was exhausted, but thrilled that I had seen New Zealand's mystifying underworld. 

2. Skydive Taupo

Skydive over Lake Taupo

It seems like New Zealand has more skydiving locations than any other nation.  You can skydive over Abel Tasman, Lake Taupo, Queenstown, Auckland, Wanaka...the list could go on.  I chose to sky dive over Lake Taupo because it was cheaper than most other locations, but you really can't go wrong with all of the options available in New Zealand.  If you do go, I would suggest paying a little extra to have the entire experience video taped so that your friends and family can relive the adventure with you!

1. Bungee Jump in Queenstown 

Kawarau Bridge Bungee

Queenstown is the adventure and thrill capital of New Zealand.  So much so, that AJ Hackett Bungy has built three separate locations around Queenstown where you can put your life into the hands of an elastic band.  I bungee jumped "The Ledge" locate. d on the mountain above Queenstown.  "The Ledge" is cool because the bungee cord is attached to your waist instead of your feet, allowing for a running start.  "The Nevis," a bungee jump located on a cable car stretched between two cliffs outside of Queenstown, is the highest bungee in New Zealand at a whopping 134 meters!