Mt Aspiring National Park doesn’t just have a cool name, it’s also considered one of the country’s most pristine and untouched national parks. Of course, you can explore it on foot, but it’s really something else when viewed from the water.
Cruise up the Dart River into the depths of the national park, on icy clear glacial water for some seriously epic views that’d normally take days of tramping to see. This is no calming river cruise though — you’ll reach exhilarating speeds and even do a couple of burnouts as you travel down the river.
If you like the idea of tramping but you’re not so keen on walking for hours, why not try out a horse trek. There’s no quicker way to feel like you’re in Lord Of The Rings than by riding through New Zealand’s epic scenery. Of course, there are stellar trails all over the country, but the dramatic peaks and bright water of Lake Wanaka really lends itself to being explored on horseback.
Just off Abel Tasman National Park, there’s a small island that should be on everyone’s bucket list. Adele Island has clear blue water and long stretches of sandy beach that are usually deserted. It’s home to one of NZ’s rarest birds — the South Island Saddleback — as well as penguins who enjoy the predator-free sanctuary. You can reach the island by kayak and there’s a high chance you’ll see some seals swimming alongside you as you approach the beach.
We’ve got so much amazing wildlife crammed into this tiny country, so it’s about time you get acquainted — respectfully, of course. In small-town Kaikoura, you can head out into the harbour and see dolphin pods happily swimming around. If you’re keen to get even closer, you can even suit up and get into the water with them. The company does a lot of work for dolphin conservation so you can rest assured the critters are happy and safe while you swim with them.
In Kaikoura you can also spot whales and swim with sea lions in the harbour, so it sounds like the perfect destination for wildlife lovers.
Not to toot our own horn, but New Zealand might be the best place in the world for stargazing. Most of the country has zero light pollution, and we’ve also got the giant Dark Sky Reserve in the South Island. The Mount Cook region is your best bet for an incredible stargazing experience, even if you just go outside and look up. But it’s definitely worth doing a guided observatory tour, where you can explore the sky with their incredible telescopes that’ll give you a much better vibe.
Everything is cooler when you see it from the seat of a the quad bike. In New Zealand there are so many off-road trails and winding cliff-top paths that you just can’t get to with a car, so an ATV is your next best bet. There’s a tour near Franz Josef Glacier that zooms through the rainforest and across rivers with the stunning backdrop of glacial mountains. Otherwise you could go for a jaunt along an Auckland beach or zip above the rocky coastline of Kaikoura.
Walking around a forest is always nice, but why not literally take it up a level and walk through the treetops?! Whakarewarewa Forest is full of giant redwood trees that rise to heights of 75 metres, it’s truly something out of a fairytale. There’s a suspended bridge and platform system that hovers high above the ground, built to blend with the trees you’re walking through. It’s the best way to really get amongst nature.
Rainbow Springs is like a perfect intro class to New Zealand’s environment and wildlife. It’s a giant park near Rotorua with walking trails and animal encounters galore. But the real drawcard is the kiwi hatchery, where you can take a tour of the incubation and nursery rooms where the baby birds hang out. The park is open at night too, so you can check out all the nocturnal animals who call NZ home.
Have you ever wondered what it would feel like to be a shark wearing a jet pack? Well, here’s your chance. At Lake Wakatipu you can take a spin in a shark-shaped watercraft that’s kind of a cross between a jet ski and submarine. It can dive two metres below the water, then shoot six metres up into the air. You can take it slow and chill or you can really let ‘er rip and try to do some doughnuts as well.
Thrill seekers know the value of a good zip lining course, and we all know that NZ is full of them. In Rotorua, you can fly through the 1000-year-old native forest canopy, surrounded by the lush green that the region is known for. And its not just zip lines! It’s a whole network made up of swing bridges, cliff walks, and treetop platforms, so you can actually appreciate the environment rather than just rushing past it in a blur.
Yes, the glow worm caves in Waitomo are a total tourist magnet. But they’re definitely worth seeing at some point, and there’s no time like right now. You can hop in an inflatable tube and drift down the river through the caves, seeing the thousands of glowing worms strewn across the roof. If you’re after something a little more thrilling, Black Water Rafting could be for you. It’s not just floating down a serene river: there are rapids and waterfalls thrown in the mix to keep things exciting.
Down on the Banks Peninsula, just outside Christchurch, you’ll find a population of white-flippered penguins living along the rocky coastline. Not long ago they were on the brink of extinction, before being saved by local famers. You can take a kayaking tour through the area with a local company, and the money you spend will go back to helping out the furry little guys. If you’re lucky, you might also spot the local dolphin pod swimming in the waves or see a couple of sea lions hanging out on the rocks.
13.
Ride an electric motorbike around Great Barrier Island.
Take your trip to Great Barrier Island to the next level, and see it on two wheels. Motubike is a NZ-made electronic motorbike with zero emissions, and they’re super easy to drive. You can rent one and then zip around the beautiful roads and trails on the island, stopping off at white-sand surf beaches and hot springs hidden in the trees. Stay out ’til nighttime to check out the incredible stars – the island was the first place in the world to get International Dark Sky Sanctuary status.
14.
Hire a camper van, charter a cruise and get lost amongst the exceptional scenery of the Marlborough Sounds.
The winding waterways of the Marlborough Sounds — made up of the four distinct Sounds of Queen Charlotte, Kenepuru, Pelorus, and Mahau — make for the most unforgettable opportunities to go diving, boating, fishing, or simply taking in the incredible, natural surrounds.
Cutting a distinctive volcanic shape in Auckland harbour, Rangitoto island is a perfect day trip for everyone who lives in the city. You can take a 4WD to the crater of the extinct volcano, but if you choose to walk you’ll be rewarded with the option to detour through some spectacular lava caves. BYO torch and walk through the winding tunnel forged by flowing lava. If you want to make your trip even more adventurous, you can travel to the island by kayak, watch the incredible sunset and then paddle back under the stars.
Where do we even begin with this one? There are so many trails all over the country, ranging in length from ten minutes to ten days. There’s really no better way to get in touch with nature than a good tramp and no matter where you are in the country you’ll find somewhere stunning to walk. You know all the major players – Abel Tasman coastal track, Tongariro crossing, Heaphy track, Ben Lomond – and now that overseas visitors are limited, maybe now’s the time to try them out!
Climbing up a sheet of ice sounds pretty extreme, right? If you’re after an adventure trip, well this is it. You don’t actually need any experience to go ice climbing, you’ll be with an experience guide who’ll show you the ropes – literally. It’s best to dedicate a couple of days and do a two or three-day tour, because you have to hike in to climb the best spots. If you wanna get on the ice but don’t want to do the hiking and climbing involved, you can catch a helicopter right onto the glacier.
We love a good wine tasting. But if sipping vino in a sunny vineyard isn’t outdoorsy enough for you, why not go winery hopping on a bike? In Hawkes Bay they’re all close enough that you can cycle between them, so long as you don’t go too hard on the tastings. It’s pretty easy to rent a bike and navigate on your own, or you can do a self-guided tour with a custom map. Pro tip: opt for the electric bike. You’ll be thankful after your third glass of wine.
