New Zealand Top 5 Adventure Activities for 2018

Need to spice up your New Zealand holiday? Here are our New Zealand Top 5 Adventure Activities for 2018

 New Zealand is a thrill seekers paradise! There are so many action packed things to do here that it's sometimes difficult to decide what to do.

Well don't worry. We can help!

We've studied the trends and our customer reviews, and have come up with a short list of the best thrills for your hard earned money.

Here they are:

New Zealand Top 5 Adventure Activities for 2018

1. Jump from a plane! Auckland and Queenstown are two of the best spots in New Zealand if you want to experience the thrills of skydiving.

2. Bungy, bungy, bungy. Almost a national hobby, bungy was invented in NZ. You have to do it at least once!

3. Roaring up a river in a jetboat is an awesome experience, and Queenstown is the place to do it.

4. Race down the rapids on a rubber raft. New Zealand has some of the best rafting conditions on earth.

5. Go caving at Waitomo for the ultimate black water adventure.

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After collection from central Auckland it's a 45 minute drive to Parakai, where your adventure begins.

The adrenalin builds as you watch the introductory video, meet your tandem instructor, then choose your skydive height (9,000ft, 13,000ft, or 16,500ft). And don't forget to choose one of the optional photo and video packages (it would be a shame not to record such a momentous occasion).

Then, before you know it, it's time to fly.

As your plane climbs to your chosen altitude the views are awesome.

Before you know it, the door opens and away you go, strapped to your friendly instructor!

Depending on your chosen altitude, your freefall will last from 30 to 75 seconds! What an amazing way to see the east and west coasts and Auckland city.

And then your instructor pulls the chute, and progress slows considerably, giving you the perfect opportunity to take in the views.

Then before you know it, your instructor guides you down safely to the cheers of your supporters at the jump base.

This is something that you have to try at least once!

How did other thrill seekers rate Skydive Auckland?

"....the thrill of a lifetime" (Theodore Nov 2016), "...the highlight of my trip" (Kimluch Oct 2016)

So don't delay, book your jump now!

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The adventure actually starts some time beforehand as you try and muster the courage just to go to the jump site. Negative thoughts are your bungy enemy, and in our case, we just decided that we wanted to jump, kept the negative thoughts locked out, and did it.

And boy, are we glad that we did.

Although we jumped at the old Kawarau bridge, you can jump in various places around New Zealand including Queenstown (three different locations), Hanmer Springs, and Auckland.

Wherever you decide to jump, chances are that you will have an audience, all willing you on to jump. As the bungy cord is attached to your legs, the butterflies start to rise.

Then you shuffle over to the edge. At this point the choice is to back out (remember you have an audience) or push on.

Adrenalin racing, you look out into the distance and swan dive into the wild blue yonder.

Wow, you think, this is AMAZING, before realizing that you are plummeting towards the earth/water at an alarming rate.

Before you know it, the cord takes up the slack, and you are bouncing back up towards the jump platform! How good is this! We were actually a bit disappointed when we stopped bouncing!

Yes, as you can tell, we loved it, and we bet you will too.

For more information on the various New Zealand bungy options just click the "Check Availability" buttons.

Enjoy!

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The jetboat is a pretty neat bit of engineering. Designed in New Zealand by Sir William Hamilton, they were specifically designed to operate in shallow water.

On our last ride we experienced this first hand! Racing up the Kawarau river near Queenstown, we headed towards a narrow channel where we could see the water flowing over the rounded river rocks. We waited for the driver to turn, but he just kept going! The water would not have been any more than a foot deep!

There are jetboat rides available throughout New Zealand, but two of the most popular are probably the Shotover Jet and the Kawarau Jet, both located in Queenstown.

You've probably seen the pictures of the Shotover Jet racing through the gorge in Queenstown, huge rock walls either side. The precision is amazing and at times the cliffs seem close enough to touch (don't try!). And when the driver holds his arm up and twirls it around, get ready for a 360 degree spin! It's a thrilling ride and the ticket cost also includes a free shuttle from central Queenstown.

The Kawarau Jet takes you on a breathtaking ride across Lake Wakatipu, then up both the Shotover and Kawarau rivers. As we said earlier, you won't believe where they go.

Seemingly impossible channels open up as your driver takes you from one thrill to another on this 1 hour adventure.

Your Kawarau Jet ticket also includes entry to the underwater observatory in Queenstown. Step down under the cold waters of Lake Wakatipu, where you look through huge picture windows, revealing some of the fattest trout and eels that you will ever see.

We can highly recommend both the Shotover and Kawarau  rides.

If you are coming to Queenstown, this is a "must do".

Don't delay, enquire now by clicking on the "Check Availability" button below.

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One of the best things about white water rafting is that it gives you the opportunity to see wild New Zealand at its best.

Commercial white water rafting trips are available around the country, but we've selected two of the best for you.

The Kaituna River, near Rotorua, forges its way through narrow gorges, and although it's rated as a grade 5, it's perfectly fine for beginners. Each rapid is followed by a pool where things calm down considerably.

Perhaps the highlight though is the 7 meter drop over the Tutea Falls (check out the raft in the background on the picture)! It's claimed to be the highest commercially rafted fall in the world!

Your journey takes you through the Okere Falls Scenic Reserve, where the steep fern covered gorge provides ideal rafting conditions.

Your ticket cost includes transport from your Rotorua hotel, plus all of the necessary clothing for the trip.

You can learn more and check availability by clicking on the button:

If the Kaituna River is rafting heaven, then rafting paradise awaits at the other end of New Zealand.

The rivers around Queenstown are perfect for rafters of all skill levels.

The famous Kawarau River near Queenstown is the ideal spot to "dip your toe into the water".

The grade two and three rapids provide a challenge for beginners, and if you are like us, you will find it difficult to stop gazing at the awesome scenery as you make your way downstream.

The Kawarau was the scene for the River Anduin in the "Lord of the Rings" series, and if you look closely you may recognize some of the locations used.

Your ticket includes all the necessary clothing, plus the use of hot showers and sauna when you finish.

Don't delay, as tickets sell fast on these trips. Check availability and read reviews by clicking on the "Check Availability" button now.

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Caving in Waitomo rounds out our New Zealand Top 5 Adventure Activities in 2018.

Choose your underground adventure. Both the 5 hour "Black Abyss" and the 3 hour "The Labyrinth" will leave you totally exhilarated.

The Waitomo Caves complex is famous for it's glowworms, and you will see plenty of them, but probably more importantly, you will experience an awesome underground network of streams, falls, stalagmites, and stalactites.

The "Black Abyss" is very aptly named, and as you descend into the darkness of its limestone belly, there's a feeling of "what's next"?

With two hours below ground there's plenty of opportunity to experience the full range of underground activities like abseiling, climbing through narrow openings, black water rafting on inflatable tubes, sailing down a flying fox, and of course taking in the stunning natural features around you.

If you have a "moderate" level of fitness, the "Black Abyss" is waiting for you.

"The Labyrinth" is a little more sedate. The scenery is no less spectacular, but with a focus on walking and black water rafting, there's plenty of opportunity to immerse yourself in the serenity of this underground maze.

Your inflatable tube is your valuable companion as you, twist your way from stream to stream, negotiating falls and chutes, as you make your way through limestone caverns, before emerging into the daylight of the Waitomo forest.

Spots are going quick on these tours. Read reviews and check availability now by clicking on the button below:

We hope our "New Zealand Top 5 Adventure Activities in 2018" has inspired you to come and experience New Zealand for yourself.

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