Epic destinations for New Zealand Adventure Travel

New Zealand is a vast and beautiful country with abundant opportunities for extraordinary adventures on the North Island and South Island. It is the ideal destination for adventure-seekers and explorers looking to discover volcanic alps, tackle downhill mountain biking tracks, off-piste snowboarding trails and sublime wildlife encounters. Discover how you can combine your passion for travelling with the great outdoors. 

New Zealand offers ocean lovers fifteen thousand kilometres of coastline interwoven with secluded harbours, rocky coves, and islands jutting out of the sea. There is calm sea water and impressive waves, plus long stretches of golden and black sandy beaches. New Zealand’s thirteen National Parks stretch over thirty-thousand square kilometres. Packed with beautiful natural scenery, remote wilderness and attractions like volcanic alpine landscapes, native plants and the unforgettable spiritual allure of Māori culture. Adventures into this pristine wilderness promise transformative experiences and memories that will last a lifetime. 

Queenstown sits on the shores of the South Island’s Lake Wakatipu and is surrounded by the Remarkables mountain range. It is renowned for extreme sports and adventure activities; from bungee jumping off Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge, the highest bungee in the world, jetboating on the Dart river and whitewater rafting on the Shotover River. Or take to the skies skydiving over the alpine landscape and hang-gliding from Coronet Peak, soaring over towering mountain peaks, tranquil lakes and rivers, offering a bird’s eye view of Queenstown.

Thousands of adventurous rock climbers, abseilers, hang-gliders and hikers come to Queenstown annually to test their mettle against the rugged environment. Aside from adrenalin pumping activities, you can also enjoy hiking and kayaking amidst Queenstown’s natural beauty. Popular hikes include the Queenstown Hill Loop, the Tiki Trail, and the Ben Lomond Track.

• When to visit
   

Queenstown is a year-round adventure destination and the best time to visit will depend on what type of adventure you’re looking for. Summertime is from December to February, when you will enjoy more sunny days and warm weather. As it's peak summer season, you can expect larger crowds and some higher prices, so budget travellers may consider visiting Queenstown from March to May in the autumn months or during spring, between September to November. If you time your visit to Queenstown during winter between June and September you can expect snowfall on the mountains, perfect for skiing and snowboarding adventures across the region.

• Where to stay
   

If you're looking for a central location, consider staying at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside located on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. Rooms offer impressive views of the lake, the southern alps or the gardens. Think spacious and comfortable havens to escape to following a day of adventuring. You can also find relief for aching muscles in the hotel spa pool, or if you're still feeling active, try a workout at the hotel fitness centre.

• Getting around
   

Queenstown is a compact town and is easy to get around on foot (depending on how far you're looking to venture), on a bike, or by using the public bus network. We suggest hiring a car if you are looking to do a day trip to Milford Sound, the Gibbston Valley wine region or Lord of the Rings film locations like Dimrill Dale, Lothlórien, the River Anduin and Isengard. 

• Tour operators
   

It’s easy to book your activites online or visit one of the adventure hubs in town. If you’re looking for guided experiences Everything QT and Active Adventures are full service adventure tour experts in Queenstown. They offer combined experience packages like bungee jumping, Canyon Swinging, Jet Boating and paragliding. 

• Local Tips:

1. Book your Queenstown accommodation at least 30 days in advance, especially if you're visiting during peak season

2. Research and book all activities in advance, especially if you're visiting during peak season

3. Take time out from adventuring to relax and enjoy Queenstown’s great restaurants, wine bars, galleries, and shops

4. The weather can change quickly in Queenstown. Always carry a rain coast and a warm jacket

You might feel there's something familiar about New Zealand’s North Island landscapes even if you’ve never visited before. Many of these extraordinary places were featured in the Lord of the Rings Trilogy.

Rotorua is well known for its geothermal hot pools, epic white waters and access to Māori cultural experiences. There are eighteen lakes in the Rotorua area and gold-level mountain biking trails stretch for more than two hundred kilometres. Ranging from Whakarewarewa Forest, Skyline Gravity Park, Rainbow Mountain, to Moerangi Track. High-spec bikes are available to hire from local bike shops and tour operators like Planet Bike and Happy Ewe Cycle Tours.

Skyline Gravity Park also offers adventure seekers countless adrenaline experiences. Experience the thrill of the longest Luge track in the world as you wind your way through a native forest, LED lit tunnels and various obstacles. Zipline through the Redwood Forest over Lake Rotorua. The three-seated Sky Swing takes you on an elevated ride fifty metres above Lake Rotorua. You hang suspended over sublime scenery, then release and drop rapidly towards the ground. Or, try an epic whitewater rafting adventure on the Kaituna River’s seven-metre Tutea Falls or kayak the rapids with a guide.

In the Te Puia Whakarewarewa Valley, mud pools bubble away and the Pohutu Geyser erupts multiple times a day. At The Living Māori Village you can discover how local Māori’s incorporate natural geothermal activities into daily practices. 

Wherever you’re looking to go in New Zealand, chances are there’s ample opportunity to explore walking tracks or hiking trails. A collection of eleven walks, known as The Great Walks, crisscross the country. These routes are premier tracks and cover the country’s spectacularly diverse landscapes. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is a 20.2 km loop that can be completed in one day. The starting point is at Whakapapa Village, in the centre of Tongariro National Park. The best time to do this Great Walk is from November to late April. From May to October you will encounter snow and ice, which means you will need to have a guide to enjoy the experience safely. This Great Walk crosses varied volcanic alpine landscapes ranging from glacial valleys, old lava flows to stunning crater lakes. Book your spot here.

The 53.5 km Milford Track in the Fiordland National Park takes four days to complete and is suitable for intermediate hikers. The best time to go is between October and the end of April. Only advanced and expert hikers should attempt the route in winter, from May to October. Labelled as the finest walk in the world from Lake Te Anau to Milford Sound, the stunning scenery and varied topography won’t disappoint.

Over twelve thousand people walk this popular track every year, many walk without a guide or a tour group. Should you opt for a tour, check out Active Adventures Manuka 14-day hiking tour, which includes the Milford Track Guided Walk and other South Island hikes. 

• Select a track that matches your hiking skills, fitness level and experience
  
  
• Work on your fitness and vary the terrain and weather conditions you train in, in anticipation of the adventure 
  
  
• Whichever great walk you choose to hike, book in advance on the Department of Conservation’s website
  
  
• Include hills and steps in your training regimen. And try and be consistent in your training schedule
  
  
• If it’s your first time hiking, go at your own pace. You want to soak up the scenery and enjoy the hike
  
  
• Research the equipment required, especially if you are going on a self-guided hike
  
  
• Ensure you are able to carry your back pack/day pack and that it is not too heavy
  
  
• Try using walking poles. They reduce pressure on your legs and knees
  
  
• Find the right footwear and make sure they fit properly. If your boots are new, break them in well before your Great Walk 
  
  
• Good, quality hiking socks are essential
  
  
• Always be prepared with a First Aid kit 
  
  
• Check you have a plentiful supply of water 
  
  
• Ensure you wear clothing to protect you from the elements - including the sun and wear sunscreen

Sea kayaking gives you the chance to view New Zealand’s coastline from a different perspective and get closer to marine wildlife. At the coastal recreation area of Abel Tasman National Park on the South Island you can try kayaking and on the North Island, Bay of Islands Maritime Park has one hundred and forty-four islands teeming with abundant marine life and secluded bays to explore from the water.

Abel Tasman National Park offers guided kayak trips from September to the end of June. During the One Day Freedom Tour you can explore different beaches found in the Astrolabe region. At Watering Cove you’ll disembark to walk up the coastal track to see spectacular views of the Astrolabe and the northern part of Abel Tasman National Park. You’ll drift in and out of caves during high tide and visit the Adele Island Sanctuary which is a protected island for indigenous birds and fur seals. 
 

• A one-day kayak trip takes about four-hours of paddling to complete. The journey is interspersed with breaks and lunch
  
  
• The trip starts and finishes in Marahau and includes kayak rental
  
  
• The minimum age is fourteen and paddlers under eighteen years of age need to be accompanied by an adult
  
  
• No previous experience is required
  
  
• If desired, you can opt to take a water taxi on the return trip from Anchorage, but you need to decide this before leaving
  
  
• The trip includes a return bus trip to Nelson and a return bus trip to Motueka. Buses operate in the area between October and April
   

Bay of Islands Kayaking offers kayaking trips from Otehei Bay. You’ll kayak amidst crystal-clear waters around Urupukapuka Island. Along the way you’ll encounter marine life and explore uninhabited islands, coves and bays. Once you’ve finished kayaking you can explore Otehei Bay and enjoy snorkelling. 

Eight-hour experience includes:

• Return ferry from Paihia or Russell
  
  
• Between two and two and half hours of guided kayaking 
  
  
• Sea kayak and spray deck
  
  
• Paddle, life vest and dry bag
  
  
• Snorkel, mask and fins
  
  
• Water and a small snack
  
  
• Coffee or tea
  
  
• Lunch at Otehei Bay café
  

You can surf in New Zealand throughout the year, although September to April are usually the best months. Piha Beach, northwest of Auckland is New Zealand’s original surfing spot. The surf area is divided in two by Lion Rock which is situated in the middle of the bay. The waves on the south side of Lion Rock are easily accessible and are good for all levels of surfers. The best time to surf is when the swell is over one metre high.

The little surf town of Raglan near Hamilton offers consistent waves year-round and breaks for all levels.The swell is usually higher in July (during winter) than in December (during summer). The most famous surf spot in Raglan is Manu Bay for intermediate and advanced surfers. The break is a long left-hander that breaks over the rocks and is best attempted at high tide. Beginners will enjoy surfing at Ngarunui Beach as it features left and right peaks and offers sheltered breaks. Indicators Beach, recommended for advanced surfers, offers long and fast breaks and numerous opportunities for barrelling. 

New Zealand is home to an impressive variety of wildlife and ecosystems and great efforts are made to preserve ecologically sensitive areas. There is an almost endless list of wildlife experiences on offer, often combined with other ecological or environmental activities. See penguins, seals, albatross and seals in the Dunedin region on south island. A breeding colony of blue penguins, the smallest of the species make their home at Takiharuru, a sacred Māori site. Clearwater Wildlife Tours takes small tours through a private conservation area on family farm in Cape Saunders to see some of New Zealand’s rarest wildlife species.

If you’re interested to see larger ocean wildlife, you can go whale watching in Kaikōura, which is located in the Canterbury region on south island, a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Christchurch. Giant sperm whales can be seen year-round here and can be spotted close to the shore. The Kaikoura canyons are over two metres deep and a rare system of sea currents sustain an incredibly rich marine food chain. Other wildlife that you will see in Kaikōura are fur seals, leopard seals, giant squid and numerous species of shark. You can do a five-day wildlife tour of the region with Driftwood Tours where you will visit the privately owned Queen Elizabeth II conservation reserves and discover more about Kaikōura's cultural heritage from a local Kaumātua.

New Zealand’s southern alps are the ultimate skiing and snowboarding destination in New Zealand. Queenstown’s ski fields offer varied alpine terrain suitable for all adventure seekers. Coronet Peak is the closest ski field to Queenstown and is a great place to learn to snowboard or ski. The Remarkables offer varied snow fields for all levels ranging from a sizable beginners area with ski and snowboarding schools, through to exciting ski touring and backcountry land. Cardrona offers both wide-open trails and demanding chutes, here beginners flourish alongside experienced veterans. Adventure awaits at Treble Cone with its off-piste terrain, steep chutes and stunning views of Lake Wānaka. Ohau in the Southern Lakes area is family-friendly and easily accessible from Wānaka.

• June to August can be considered the true winter period perfect for skiing and snowboarding. Queenstown’s temperatures generally range between 1°C and 8°C
  
  
• We suggest packing thermal gear, waterproofs, and hiking boots to guard against wet, windy and icy weather conditions
  
  
• Wear sunscreen and sunglasses to protect you against high UV levels year-round
  
  
• You can hire all your ski and snowboard gear from Ski Hire NZ in Frankton, Queenstown. The staff also offer great advice about which spots to pick based your experience
  
  
• If you are planning to drive whilst in the alps you need to carry tyre chains and drive with caution
  
  
• You can book all your transport and ski passes to Remarkables and Coronet Peak with Info & Snow based in Queenstown CBD

Active Adventures offer a series of amazing north island tours. The eleven-day ultimate adventure tour includes cycling the Tongariro River Trail, hiking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing and  Rotorua’s lake tracks and hiking in the Bay of Islands and many more adventures. All tours include Māori cultural experiences ranging from waiata performances to visiting Māori sites in Bay of Islands and Te Puia in Rotorua.   

The ultimate south island adventure itinerary includes exploring the Mount Cook National Park and Nelson Lakes National Park, hiking in the rainforest and along the west coast’s beaches, cycling Queenstown’s scenic trails, cruising on Milford Sound and hiking sections of the south islands Great Walks. Both the north island and south island itineraries require trail experience and a high level of fitness.

If you decide to join an adventure tour group, you can leave all the planning up to the experts. They know the best routes to hike or cycle and the best times to visit. You also benefit from their local knowledge and get to enjoy great meals to fortify you while you’re adventuring. The added bonus is they also carry your bag from location to location. All you have to do is take care of your basic needs whilst exploring like water and snacks. You can relax and enjoy the trip, leaving the details to the experts. 

When planning your trip to New Zealand consider staying at a Novotel hotel. Novotel offers a range of modern, comfortable hotels conveniently located in Queenstown and Christchurch on South Island and Auckland, Hamilton, Rotorua, New Plymouth and Wellington on the North Island. Many top activities are within easy reach, and after a day filled with adventure, Novotel hotels offer the perfect base to relax, unwind and refuel for your next adventure.