Feature: New Zealand’s huge array of extreme sports
New Zealand may only be the size of Great Britain, but with a total population of only four million people, the rural landscape of the country is plentiful and in some places, untouched. New Zealand’s landscape is also hugely diverse, so one day you could be kayaking crystal clear waters, gliding past golden sandy beaches, and the next could be spent climbing spectacular glaciers, the likes of which can’t be found anywhere else in the world. As a destination famous for its natural scenery, it will come as no surprise that there is an abundance of adventurous activities for the adventure tourist to get their teeth into. So we’ve compiled a list of the ones we think you really wouldn’t want to miss:
Dolphin swimming
The small coastal village of Kaikoura is one of the best places in the country to swim with beautiful dusky dolphins. With gorgeous surrounding mountain scenery and a beautiful Pacific vista, it is the coastal view alone that captures most people visiting here!
Dolphin Encounter organise tours throughout the year. The tours are very eco-friendly - a percentage of the profits go back into conservation and the mammals aren’t attracted to the area with food. Instead it is up to the captain to spot a pod and it’s your job to quietly jump in with the animals and keep them entertained by swooping, splashing and making noises. They are wild creatures and you are out in the open sea, so it’s worth having some swimming experience. After they leave you get back on the boat to find some more! A three and a half hour trip costs around £90 and on the rare occasions you don’t see any dolphins, your money will be reimbursed.
Skydiving
There are a number of companies offering skydives in New Zealand, some over lakes, like Lake Wanaka, and some so high you can see both islands from the sky! But for ‘eat your heart out’ scenery, the glacier dive from Skydive NZ is one of the most unique. Flying over the huge Fox Glacier you’ll see wide snow clad ranges below you, along with lakes, rainforests and the crashing Tasman Sea. Then you’ll feel the wind on your face for over a minute of freefall before the parachute opens and you float to the ground in tranquil bliss... For beginners or people who would rather jump with someone else, a 9000ft tandem dive costs £126.
Bungee
Not all adventures are to be had in the wilderness – and the adventure city Queenstown certainly gives New Zealand’s other attractions a run for their money! Famous for being an adventure sports capital, there are all sorts of adrenaline pumping activities to get involved in. The most renowned though, is probably Bungee Jumping.
The most infamous jump, ‘The Nevis’ – is a ‘bungy pod’ suspended 134m above the Nevis Gorge. The build up to the 8.5 second fall begins with a rugged 35 minute 4x4 drive, and a shuttle journey out to the suspended pod. One for real bungy enthusiasts only!
Bungee pioneers A J Hackett also offer a range of options around New Zealand, including The Ledge. Standing 1,312 feet above the city, this metallic structure allows you to launch yourself off a runway (but don’t worry, the bungee is only 121ft!). Due to a special bungee harness you can vary your jump instead of diving off. There are in fact 10 different ways to do it, including a flip and flying kick. The company also allows you to jump at night for a truly atmospheric experience. A jump costs £92.
Ice climbing
Located on the west side of the South Island is the Fox Glacier, a sprawling sea of ice that rises to heights of 10,000 feet. Using special boots, ice tools and specialist gear like ropes and harnesses, climbers battle frozen waterfalls, slopes and giant canyons in a similar fashion to rock climbing. Fox Glacier Guiding offer guided day trips to novices and experts alike, providing backpacks, boots and most other specialist equipment. You’ll be surprised how quickly you pick it up! An eight hour day costs £126.
Canyon swing
Basically a huge rope swing, the 357 feet high Shotover Canyon Swing is built into a cliff over the Shotover River near Queenstown. Connected by a collection of ropes, it’s your job to swallow your fear and take a running jump off the side! As you freefall for 200 feet the harnesses and ropes kick in so you’ll see-saw back and forth at speeds of 100 miles per hour in the most beautiful natural setting imaginable!
Rafting
With huge glaciers shedding much of their ice during the summer months, white water rafting is one of the most action packed activities available in New Zealand. Rafting New Zealand offer a large number of packages from their North Island base, from family outings to high grade rapids. The four hour river trip on the Tongariro White Water is a great way to glimpse timeless New Zealand as it’s been for hundreds of years. You’ll shoot down pristine rapids where the water is so fresh you can drink it! You’ll jump off the hidden Puketarata waterfall, have a taste of indigenous Maori ale and get to see rare wildlife through fantastic volcanic cliffs.
Ziptrekking
The scenery around Queenstown is absolutely stunning. Looming snow-capped mountain ranges surround aquamarine glacial lakes and pine forests. One of the best ways to see all of this is to book a zip lining tour with Ziptrek Ecotours. A day trip includes four to six high velocity lines between connected between trees, hundreds of feet high above these incredible landscapes. You’ll also learn about the local ecology on a 20 minute guided trek along the local Tiki Trail in an ancient Beech forest. Prices for adults start at £61.
So there we are! New Zealand is packed full of adventure. And with an incredible dining scene, laid back locals and wonderful wine, you really won’t be short on things to do here!
