New Zealand Outdoor And Adventure Activities

Bungee Jumping. Bungee is big in New Zealand; the world’s first commercial jump has been thrilling Queenstown visitors since 1988. Queenstown remains the bungee capital of New Zealand (and the world) and boasts several different jump sites . If you can hack it, try AJ Hackett’s Nevis Highwire Bungee in Queenstown (134m). Bungee jump sites also exist in Taupo and Rotorua .

Climbing, Canyoning, And Cave Rafting. New Zealand’s turbulent geology has created plenty of crags to scale and its abundant precipitation has sculpted dozens of dramatic canyons to descend. Major rock climbing areas in New Zealand include: the Port Hills near Christchurch , sport climbing in Wanaka limestone near Golden Bay and some of the nation’s best at Wharepapa South. Alpine climbing centers on mountainous South Island. Erosive and tectonic forces create marginal rock routes in the Southern Alps, but the high elevations and abundant moisture flowing from the Tasman Sea make for excellent ice and snow climbing. Aoraki/Mt. Cook National Park offers more mountaineering routes and guiding companies than anywhere else in New Zealand. For more information, visit www.climb.co.nz.

Canyoners descend narrow gorges in wetsuits and helmets to protect themselves from frigid flows and punishing rocks. Canyoning adventures are available in Auckland , Queenstown , and Wanaka .

Tiny Waitomo nearly monopolizes the New Zealand caving business. Its multitude of cave complexes hosts a wide variety of subterranean pursuits, from tame glowworm tours to full-day abseiling and rafting adventures. For other opportunities to descend into the bowels of the earth, visit Westport and Greymouth on South Island’s West Coast. Both serve as bases for caving adventures in the wild western range.

Cycling And Mountain Biking. With big distances between cities, New Zealand ensures long days in the saddle. The stunning scenery along the way and the warm hospitality at the day’s end make the effort more than worthwhile. South Island contains more mountain passes but generally has flatter terrain than undulating North Island. Some cyclists claim that the wild ride up the West Coast is one of the world’s best. Bike shops in Christchurch and Auckland have high-end bike rental packages, but most dedicated cyclists bring their own. For more information on cycling, pick up a copy of the informative Pedaller’s Paradise (NZ$12) by Nigel Rushton, at any New Zealand bike shop.

New Zealand mountain biking is growing in popularity. If you have the bucks, search the web for one of many companies that offer guided mountain biking tours. The Southern Alps region (Aoraki/Mt. Cook, Queenstown, and Wanaka) boasts excellent single-track riding and several companies offer heli-biking trips. Easy-access riding is available from Christchurch, Dunedin, and Wellington. The Central Otago region has recently become a mountain biking hot spot; the Central Otago Rail Trail offers a multi-day mountain bike trip that’s well graded and easy enough for beginners.

Fishing. One of the cheapest and best ways to get out of the tourist circuit is to rent a fishing pole and hit the river. Ocean fishing and freshwater fishing are common, though it is the monster freshwater trout in fast running rivers that put New Zealand fishing on the map. Most hostels throughout the country will rent rods and tackle or let guests borrow fishing gear. Just make sure to have the proper fishing licenses, which can be purchased at the local DOC or any tackle shop. Flashy Taupo and laid-back Turangi both claim the title of “Trout Fishing Capital of the World,” though they are separated more by style than quality of fishing. Wanaka makes an attractive base from which to explore South Island’s streams. National parks also often allow fishing.

River Sports. A Kiwi original, jetboats have whisked tourists up and down New Zealand’s waterways since the 1960s. With specialized internal engines, jetboats can travel rapidly over very shallow waters. Professional drivers thrill passengers with 360˚ spins and dangerously close passes to rocky bluffs. Queenstown’s narrow gorges and scenic rivers make it a prime spot for jetboating but companies run tours all over New Zealand. The steepest and wildest jetboating river is the Wairaurahiri in southern Fiordland (see Tuatapere).

More than two dozen commercially guided rivers greet rafting enthusiasts in New Zealand. Kiwi rivers offer a variety of difficulty levels (Class I-V) and some chances to drift through remote wilderness. Hot spots include the Shotover River in Queenstown , the Buller River outside Murchison , the Rangataiki River near Rotorua and the seasonal but spectacular Wairoa River (see Tauranga). For more information, visit www.nz-rafting.co.nz. Whitewater boogie-boarding and sledging provide a more intimate encounter with raging rapids. Outfitters operate from Rotorua and Wanaka . Experienced kayakers can paddle whitewater on many New Zealand rivers, but few opportunities exist for beginners. For those interested in mastering whitewater kayaking, consider taking a multi-day course many of which are operated on the Buller River in Murchison . With more stable boats and calmer waters, sea kayaking is an excellent option for the less-experienced. Sea kayakers have the freedom to explore golden bays and pristine sounds at their own pace, free from the droning hum of a tour boat. Prime sea kayaking destinations include Doubtful Sound , Abel Tasman National Park , and the Marlborough Sounds .

Scuba Diving And Marine Encounters. New Zealand’s coastal waters offer the chance to swim among dolphins. The water can be chilly, but worth it to come face-to-face with the elegant creatures. The waters off Kaikoura teem with dusky dolphins, Akaroa near Christchurch, abounds with rare Hector’s dolphins, and the year-round warmth of Paihia assures temperate dolphin swims. Poor Knights Islands , off the coast near Whangarei, was ranked as one of the 10 best dive sites in the world by Jacques Cousteau. The opaque water on Milford Sound’s surface creates a unique diving environment : fooled by the low light levels, deep sea creatures live close to the surface.

Skiing And Snowboarding. With South Island’s majestic mountain scenery and North Island’s symmetrical volcanic slopes, New Zealand has plenty of fantastic runs for skiers and snowboarders to enjoy. The nation’s best snowboarding is at Treble Cone outside Wanaka and popular ski fields surround Queenstown and Tongariro National Park . Western Canterbury also hosts skiers and boarders at several popular resorts . On North Island, the Mt. Ruapehu Ski Area is the largest and most developed ski area in the country. Experienced skiers can find excellent backcountry runs at one of the nation’s many private ski fields. Most are owned by local clubs and use rope tows instead of lifts. Heli-skiing has become a popular alternative for those willing to spend a little extra money in the Aoraki/Mt. Cook region .

Skydiving And Paragliding. Skydiving is cheaper in New Zealand than in the US, the UK, or Australia. As a result, many tourist towns have skydiving operations eager to capture a chunk of the heavy tourist demand. Most companies offer tandem jumps from both 9000 ft. and 12,000 ft. Free-fall on the higher jump generally lasts 45 seconds; the prolonged rush is worth the extra $50. The cheapest skydive is in Taupo but its approach can feel a bit impersonal. For a more scenic and personalized fall, try Wanaka or Franz Josef Glacier . Many paragliding outfitters provide both tandem rides and paragliding courses. South Island’s mountainous terrain makes leaping and gliding possible. Queenstown , Wanaka and Christchurch all have several operators.

Surfing And Sailing. Tasman Sea swells crashing into the Kiwi coast inspired the surf-bum flick The Endless Summer in 1966. Today, New Zealand remains a popular surfing destination and attracts annual international competitions. Raglan’s Manu Bay boasts the nation’s greatest breaks but the Taranaki Coast and Whangamata on the Coromandel Peninsula also deliver amazing waves. Those willing to brave colder waters are rewarded for the effort in Dunedin and the Catlins coast . To indulge in surfer culture and learn how to get up on a board yourself, consider visiting Raglan . The 2002 arrival of the America’s Cup sparked a sailing rebirth in Auckland , and it was redubbed the city of sails. Paihia’s harbor is home to many tall ships as well as tropical waters.

Other Outrageous Activities. Enjoy a stomach-churning roll downhill in a giant, inflated ball by zorbing in Rotorua . Dune surfing in Northland’s Hokianga Region or at Ninety-Mile Beach is a sandier way to look hip atop a fiberglass board. One of New Zealand’s wildest new thrills, Fly By Wire straps participants to a 60-horsepower aircraft engine and then sends them whipping around on a thick cable (see Queenstown).

Organized adventure tours offer another way of exploring the wild. Activities include hiking, biking, skiing, canoeing, kayaking, rafting, climbing, photo safaris, and archaeological digs. Organizations that specialize in camping and outdoor equipment like REI and EMS also are good sources of info. Alternatively, consult Specialty Travel Index, 305 San Anselmo Ave., #313, San Anselmo, CA 94960 (US ☎800-442-4922, elsewhere 415-459-4900; www.specialtytravel.com).