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Let's make 2025 your biggest travel year yet with one simple goal: tick more places off your travel bucket list than ever before...
Are you ready to have the adventure of a lifetime in New Zealand? You've come to the right place.
New Zealand has an endless inventory of hair raising, white knuckle inducing, heart-pumping experiences and must dos for your trip.
Explore this thrill-seeker’s playground whether it be by taking on the world’s first bungy, shredding its coveted black runs, feeling the rush white water rafting, or simply letting your jaw hit the floor from ogling the raw, natural beauty of the place.
Short on time but long for adventurous experiences? We’ve prepared you this adventurous guide to inform your travels.
1. Ski or snowboard New Zealand’s most popular slopes
It wouldn’t be the adventure of a lifetime in New Zealand without hitting some of the country’s most popular slopes.
Not sure which to choose? We’ve got a snow guide to the South Island and North Island, so you can get the snow on the road faster.
South Island
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The Remarkables - family-friendly and one of New Zealand’s most photographed mountains.
- Coronet Peak - great for intermediate skiers and riders and the most popular summit with panoramic views.
- Cardrona - the “peoples’ mountain” with wide-open trails and a world-class terrain park. Because of its high elevation, it retains some of the most reliable snow in the region.
North Island
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Whakapapa - family-friendly and good for beginners with a wide variety of runs and plenty of terrain for the intermediates.
2. Jump from New Zealand’s highest bungy
Go full throttle and take on the world’s first commercial bungy jump, AJ Hackett Bungy.
Eight and a half seconds of adrenaline awaits a 35-minute journey in a four-wheel-drive from the heart of Queenstown to the top of the Kawarau Bridge, where you’ll free-fall, head first, 134m attached by only a bungy cord.
Choose to swing solo or tandem with an adrenalin-loving friend - forwards, backwards, upside down – the choice is yours.
If you’re game, you can double the fun and go back and experience the swing, catapult and zip ride options.
3. Kayak around the North Island’s Cathedral Cove
Cathedral Cove, Te Whanganui o Hei, is one of the most photographed spots in New Zealand, and it won’t take long to realise why.
Famous for its unusual cave and rock formations, this very beach was also used as set in the movie 'Chronicles of Narnia - Prince Caspian'.
According to locals, the best way to explore the coastline on the Coromandel Peninsula is by kayak, with the morning tour offering up the best conditions, when the winds aren't too strong, and the sea is at its calmest.
4. Go white river rafting in the South Island’s Waiau Uwha River
If you’re thinking of white water rafting in New Zealand, it pays to head straight to the river that directly translates to ‘river of swirling currents’ in the local dialect, Waiau Uwha River.
Experience the action as you take on fast-moving rapids through narrow gorges in the clearest blue water New Zealand has on offer, all while passing postcard worthy landscapes of rocky peaks and tussock valleys.
5. Stay up late and experience New Zealand's southern lights
You’ve heard of the phenomenal Northern Lights, but did you know the Southern Lights can be seen from New Zealand?
With your feet on solid ground, this phenomenon will leave you just as breathless as the other adrenaline-activities in this list.
While Aurora Australis happens all year round, the best time to see it from New Zealand is winter, when the skies are clearer.
Between March and September is incidentally ideal viewing season for the Milky Way passing overhead – so time your trip for winter to experience a surreal night sky either way.
Some of the best places to spot the Southern Lights include Queenstown, Stewart Island, The Caitlins, Lake Tekapo and Invercargill.
6. Visit Mount Cook National Park
It wouldn’t be the ultimate kiwi adventure, without visiting the highest summit in the country, Aoraki / Mount Cook, standing 3,724 metres above sea level.
Many climbers come from all over the world to attempt the climb, but you'll want to have had experience on New Zealand’s other 3000m peaks or their overseas equivalents before you try tackling this summit.
Despite its relatively modest peak, Mount Cook isn't for the faint-hearted, taking anywhere between 13 and 18 hours to climb and is reserved for experienced hikers only.
For the average visitor, there are plenty of other things to do from scenic walks to helicopter rides to enjoying a hearty meal with a view.
7. Walk up Auckland’s highest volcanic cone
Less than ten minutes out of Auckland’s city centre you’ll find the tallest volcano in Auckland.
The hike up Mount Eden (Maungakiekie, meaning hill of the kiekie vine) is another #NZmustdo, rewarding hikers with 360-degree views of the city and harbour.
The summit is the largest prehistoric fortified Maori settlement and is now a recreational playground for tourists and locals.
8. Take your adventure to the next level tramping
If you haven’t reached your adventure quota yet, consider tramping.
While elsewhere, backpacking, walking, hiking and rambling is the outdoor activity of choice, New Zealand takes it up a notch with trail-camping aka tramping.
Trampers walk trails and hike with backpacks and all the gear for cooking and sleeping.
The New Zealand Government have even thoughtfully provided huts all over the country to keep you safe, dry and warm overnight and in poor weather.
While you're spoilt for choice when deciding on national parks to explore, this style of multi-day hiking will allow you to truly soak up New Zealand's natural wonders.
GETTING THERE
PLAN YOUR TRAVEL
BEFORE YOUR FLIGHT
It may have been a while since you last flew overseas. It's a fantastic time to remember the basics of international travel as well as learn about what's changed.
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