If a little exhilaration and extreme activities press your buttons, then the 'adventure capital of the world' New Zealand is for you.
It was the first country to introduce commercial bungee jumping and caters for all kinds of adrenaline seekers and enthusiasts.
There are adventure sports for every kind of traveller, from complete beginners to experienced pros and these can be as challenging or as easy as you wish.
Lying in the south-west Pacific, New Zealand consists of two main islands: the North Island and the South Island.
Most of the country lies close to the coast meaning a mild climate year-round. The average temperature decreases as you travel south, with January and February being the warmest months.
If you are looking to ski or snowboard your way down the slopes of the Southern Alps, then July and August is the time to travel.
The South Island
The South Island, with its adrenalin-fuelled capital Queenstown, should be top of your New Zealand adventure list. There are way too many options to list so here are just a few of my top suggestions...
Skydiving
Jump out of a plane over Queenstown for breathtaking views over the snow-capped mountains, lakes and majestic surrounds. Whether solo or in tandem, nothing comes close to the thrill afforded by skydiving and if you are courageous and willing to feel that extra dose of adrenaline, it doesn’t get better than this.
Jet Boating
A thrilling water adventure sport that speedily traverses through spectacular river gorges and shallow waters. The tour along the Waiatoto River is one that carries you from the sea to the mountains, journeying rapidly through the remarkable scenery and striking nature.
Bungee Jumping
As the home of bungee jumping, New Zealand does it the best. Take a leap of faith at the original Kawarau site in Queenstown or over the Nevis River, the country’s highest bungee at 134 meters with a free fall of 8.5 seconds! For a completely different style of bungee, try the Taupo over Waikato River or if feeling super brave, then how about the Canyon Swing over the dramatic scenery of the Shotover Canyon ?
Glacier Helicopter
The adventure begins with the flight and the unimaginable panorama of the magisterial glacier from the air. Landing on a glacier is a never to be forgotten experience, finding yourself in a faraway place unreachable by foot and surrounded by nature at its most spectacular.
Fox Glacier in Westland Tai Poutini National Park has a unique setting and the speed of the ice-flow makes for the most dynamic of ice formations whilst the surface of the steeper Franz Josef Glacier is full of crevasses, ice caves and stunning ice architecture, where there is a better chance of seeing the famous blue ice.
The North Island
Both New Zealand’s main islands are unique and offer completely different adventures so I would strongly advise visiting both if possible. There are plenty of thrilling options on the North Island and these are a few that I would advocate...
Auckland Sky Tower
Fancy jumping off the highest tower in the southern hemisphere with nothing but a wire between you and the ground 192 meters below and reaching a speed of 85kph? Or if jumping is a bit too much then why not circle the tower by taking a walk on the wild side, without a handrail, whilst taking in the impressive 360-degree views of the city below.
Caving
New Zealand is top of the list for spelunkers (cavers) and under the green hills of Waitomo lies a place where time and space have stood still, filled by labyrinths of caves, sinkholes and underground rivers. Be mesmerised by the thousands of magical creatures that light up the stunning stalactite and stalagmites formations as you glide silently through the renowned Waitomo Glowworm Caves on a boat tour.
The more adventurous will love the unique experience of Black Water Rafting, climbing down to 35 meters deep and then crawling, swimming and floating through the caves on rubber tubes.
Hike the Tongariro Crossing
Tongariro National Park is the oldest in New Zealand and the full day’s beautiful 20km hike - the Tongariro Crossing - is regularly described as one of the country’s best. If, like me, you are a Lord Of The Rings fan then this being the setting for Mordor also makes this is a 'must do' trek.
The three active volcanoes, the picturesque views of Lake Taupo and the challenging climbs make this an alluring area, albeit a moderate to decent level of fitness is required. Just be prepared for the bad egg smell (sulphur) that wafts out and around from Emerald Lake.
Rafting
New Zealand offers something for everyone when it comes to rafting - warm water, outstanding scenery, rapids ranging from a gentle grade 1 to an extreme grade 5 and world-class guides.
The beautiful Kaituna River, near Rotorua, with its native landscape and Maori history lining its gorge, is home to the Okere Falls, Kaituna Falls and the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world at 7m, the Tutea Falls.
For the more laidback experience, I would recommend a paddle through the very heart of the Great Lake Taupo region, surrounded by stunning vistas that are only accessible by water, observing unique wildlife around every bend. Lake Taupo also offers the high-octane thrills of negotiating more than 50 tidal rapids through its narrow volcanic canyons.
One thing is for certain, whatever your choices, you will get wet.
Whether you're a novice keen to test the waters, an experienced adventure seeker or something in between, New Zealand won't disappoint. The most difficult part will undoubtedly be trying to fit in as many experiences as you possibly can.
