Top 10 Adventure Experiences in New Zealand

New Zealand is an extraordinary country for adventure travel. With a wide range of landscapes and activities waiting to be explored in the most exciting and adventurous ways. There are many unique New Zealand tours on offer where you can add a little adventure, here are the Top 10 Adventure Experiences and Tours in New Zealand.

Heli Fishing or Heli Hiking

A short helicopter flight through some stunning valleys and amazing mountainous landscapes can take you to a top of a mountain or to a hidden lake to either fish, hike or just enjoy the seclusion before hopping back on the helicopter for a flight back. Some of the New Zealand tours that we have on offer which cover Heli Fishing and Hiking include Fiordland Heli and Crayfish Experience which allows you to experience spectacular views of Fiordland on this day heli flight, land to collect crayfish from the West Coast for lunch & land on a remote glacier! Or check out Fiordland Heli Adventure, which is a heli flight from Queenstown, through Skippers Canyon, amazing views up Rees and Dart Valleys, champagne at Lake Erskine, and lunch in Fiordland.

Lake Erskine - Heli Hiking

 

Sail D’Urville Island

Get off the beaten track and spend 5 days sailing to the rugged and remote D’Urvile Island, one of the more unique New Zealand tours and adventure experiences. Exploring remote areas with opportunities to kayak, stand up paddle board, fish and snorkel or discover stunning bays and hidden coves.  Getting here can be a little rough but thrilling so allowing a few days to explore is worthwhile.

Sailing Marlbourough Sound

 

Cruise to New Zealand Sub Antarctic Islands

Take the ultimate adventure and go where very few have gone before! Cruise to the New Zealand Sub Antarctic Islands including the Snares, Antipodes, Campbell and Auckland Islands. With many New Zealand tours on offer, the most adventurous and only way to explore is by small ship cruise. Cruises allow you to explore the islands by zodiac and step on to some of the islands for hiking and photography. Spot wildlife including seals, penguins and various bird species including the Southern Royal Albatross. Check out our Macquarie & the New Zealand Sub Antarctic Islands tour which visits some of the unspoilt environments and for those seeking adventure.

Elephant Seal in Sub Antarctica

 

Horse Trek in South Island

Explore New Zealand on a horse trek, cross rivers, explore forests and head up valleys with remarkable landscapes. This is a very adventurous way to discover New Zealand’s hidden trails and scenery. To view this scenery through fun activities makes them all the more spectacular, and horse trekking is certainly one of those activities. Many of our New Zealand tours can include horse trekking but we recommend our Luxury South Island Mountains & Lakes tour package which includes a stay at a ranch style lodge that has a stable with many horse trekking options.

Horse Riding in South Island

 

Kayak Abel Tasman National Park

Imagine exploring the beautiful coastlines of Abel Tasman National Park including Adele Island and Te Pukatea Bay by kayak.  An adventurous way to explore the region which allows you to go at your own pace, row into a hidden cove and discover some amazing wildlife up close. Our Private Abel Tasman Sailing Getaway allows you to kayak the pristine coastlines and get away from the crowds.

Abel Tasman Kayaking

 

 Winery Tour by helicopter

Looking for a truly unique getaway, then how about a New Zealand tour that takes you from winery to winery by helicopter, pass through some incredible scenery. Imagine flying over rolling green farmlands to Kumeu, landing at Soljans Estate Winery, home to one of New Zealand’s pioneering wine families, to enjoy wine tasting. Take to the air again, fly over Auckland and Waitemata Harbour to picturesque Waiheke Island. Stonyridge, world renowned for its cabernet-blends, will welcome you for an exclusive barrel room tour, tasting and matched canapes.  Sound good? Then check out our Heli tour: Wine & Dine Kumeu & Waiheke.

Winery Tour by Helicopter

 

Wildlife spotting in Stewart Island

Stewart Island has recently seen a jump in tourism due to the adventurous nature of the island. New Zealand largest island national park, you can either catch a ferry from Invercargill or a 20-minute scenic flight. On Stewart Island you can observe kiwis in their natural habitat, especially when they come out at night to feed. Did you know that Stewart Island has an estimated population of 20,000 kiwis? Or head over to Ulva Island which is a bird lovers paradise. You will have the opportunity to spot endangered birds such as Stewart Island robin, saddleback and Yellowhead. You can do all this on our Explore Rakiura Stewart Island Tour.

Kiwi spotting on Stewart Island

 

Hike or Bike Queen Charlotte

The Queen Charlotte Track is unique and a less walked track and great way to combine stunning coastal and forest scenery. So, it would be rather adventurous to bike or hike across and avoid the crowded trails. The journey over to Queen Charlotte Track great for spotting some incredible wildlife like groups of dolphins who are surfing the waves. 

Biking Queen Charlotte

 

Heli Ski in Wanaka

New Zealand’s winter presents an opportunity for adventure and thrill-seeking experiences like Heli Ski or Snowboarding. Head up to the top of a mountain and be dropped off by the helicopter and ski or snowboard your way down, it doesn’t get more exciting than this. Our Luxury Wanaka Ski Getaway gives the thrill and the luxury combined.

Heli Ski in Wanaka

 

Fly to the Southern Lights

Witness the world's most remarkable natural light show. The Southern lights, also known as the Aurora Australis! Many people spend a small fortune to fly to Norway, Canada or the Arctic Circle to see the Northern lights, but you can see the same phenomena on a flight departing from Christchurch New Zealand! Take off onboard an Air New Zealand Dreamliner, you will head south over the Southern Ocean towards Antarctica, aiming for latitudes of 62 degrees south where the Aurora Australis is brightest. 

Southern Lights Flight