Top 10 Adventure Experiences

For anyone looking for thrills, the home of adventure tourism - New Zealand, is the perfect place.

New Zealand offers adventure experiences that are as varied as the landscape whether that’s on land, in the sky above, under ground, or in the sea.

Kiwi innovation was behind the invention of adventure thrills such as the bungee, jet boat, ski plane, the Zorb and Shweeb so where better to try them out. And, with varied degrees of excitement and difficulty, there’s something for every thrill level – from extreme or dare devil right through to family friendly or soft adventures.

When you plan your New Zealand adventure, make sure you have included some of these Top 10 experiences in your itinerary.

1. You’ll get the best views from above so make the most of the many sky dive schools and drop zones all over New Zealand where you can go solo or tandem as you float through the air.
    
2. Fly to the top of the mountain and make your own tracks through fresh virgin powder snow as you ski your way back down on the ultimate guided heli-ski adventure.
    
3. Feel the power of the water as you jet-boat a spectacular New Zealand river close to the thundering Huka Falls, or negotiate 360-degree spins on the awesome Shotover River rapids.
    
4. Take a leap of faith on a bungy at the original Kawarau Bungy site, or the highest at the top of the Nevis or try a completely different style on the Auckland Harbour Bridge.
    
5. Launch out into the unknown on a black water rafting expedition through Waitomo’s myriad limestone caves underneath the twinkling lights of a million glowworms.
    
6. Feast your eyes on a marine wonderland as you scuba dive around the Poor Knights Islands marine reserve. French undersea explorer Jacques Cousteau rated the Poor Knights as one of the world's top 10 dive sites.
    
7. Put a completely new spin on life as you roll down a Rotorua hillside in the Zorb – a crazy see-through plastic ball that reaches speeds of up to 50kph over land and water.
    
8. Leap on a mountain bike and head up into the hills for a thrilling day on one of New Zealand’s ever-growing network of cycle trails. There’s a trail for every degree of difficulty from country idylls to multi-day alpine challenges.
    
9. Pick up a paddle and kayak along the coast, in a sheltered harbour, on a lake or downstream on one of New Zealand’s many rivers. Listen to the birds sing and watch out for local wildlife.
    
10. Cast off and go for the big one out on the ocean wave on a big game fishing safari. You’re never far from the ocean in New Zealand and the thrill of the catch will have you hooked.