New Zealand Thrill Seekers

New Zealand’s drug of choice is adrenaline, and Kiwis constantly overdose. The country has turned its natural surroundings into a true adventurer’s wonderland—almost every town has its own bungy jumping, skydiving, jetboating, whitewater rafting, and kayaking operations. In the adventure capital of Queenstown , two bungy companies outdo each other with ever higher and more death-defying jumps, while three jetboat operations compete for the most spins. North Island’s energetic equivalent, Taupo , lures budgeteers with one of the world’s cheapest skydives. Meanwhile, in nearby Rotorua , the Kiwi-conceived zorb allows travelers to roll down verdant hills in giant plastic balls.

However, not all of New Zealand’s adventure activities involve such rash behavior; swimming with dolphins in Kaikoura, admiring the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers ( and), sea kayaking in the Marlborough Sounds , and skiing or snowboarding down the craggy peaks of the Tongariro , Canterbury , and Southern Lakes ski fields are just a few of the limitless possibilities.

By clicking submit you agree to the terms of the Let’s Go Privacy Policy

For 52 years, we have published the world’s favorite budget travel guides, written entirely by students and updated every year. With pen and notebook in hand and a few changes of underwear stuffed in our backpacks, we spend months roaming the globe in search of travel bargains.