9 Crazy Adrenaline Activities You Have To Try In New Zealand

Not only is New Zealand home to the adrenaline capital of the world, Queenstown, but it also happens to offer endless opportunities for outdoor adventure around every corner across both the North Island and South Island.

We’ve put together this blog post to reveal all of the crazy New Zealand adrenaline activities that you’ve got no choice but to say YOLO to while travelling this epic country.

We’ve included all kinds of activities which are sure to push you beyond your comfort zone depending on your adrenaline threshold. There really is something for everyone when in search of adrenaline activities in New Zealand!

#1 Skydiving

Location: Queenstown, Abel Tasman, Franz Josef, Taupo

Let’s kick off with the cream of the adrenaline crop – jumping out of a plane. Whether you’re an adrenaline junkie or just a YOLO believer, it’s highly likely this one is up there in your top three adrenaline bucket list items. And it’s not just about the thrill of it all, along with that epic adrenaline rush as you freefall, you’ll also have a front-row seat to breathtaking views of the New Zealand natural landscape.

Go there: 7-Day Southern Voyager, 14-Day Big South, 14-Day NZ Explorer,21 Day NZ Discovery

#2 Bungy Jumping

Location: Queenstown, Auckland

And while we’re on the subject of heights, how about being strapped in at the ankles to a massive bungy cord, shuffling towards the edge of a bridge or cable-car ledge and jumping headfirst into thin air before plummeting towards the ground?

New Zealand is the world’s home to bungy, and there’s a range of heights to choose from including 43m, 47m, and a jaw-dropping 134m. There’s really no better place than Queenstown, New Zealand to take that leap (or shuffle!) of faith.

Go there: 7-Day Southern Voyager, 14-Day Big South, 14-Day NZ Explorer,21 Day NZ Discovery

#3 Zorbing

Location: Rotorua, Queenstown

Ever thought about jumping inside a giant, clear inflatable ball and rolling down a hill in it – oh and not forgetting that water being thrown in before you set off? No we hadn’t either before we knew it was a thing. But it is a thing, and it’s called Zorbing. And what better place to try it than where it was born – New Zealand!

You can get your roll on in either Queenstown or Rotorua depending on whether you are after a North Island or South Island adventure.

Go there: 7-Day Northern Voyager, 14-Day NZ Adventurer, 14-Day NZ Explorer, 21 Day NZ Discovery

#4 Jet boating

Location: Queenstown, Taupo

Jet boating down the Shotover River in the Skipper’s Canyon is an adrenaline experience unique to New Zealand. Winding through a dramatic landscape of towering canyons and huge rocks performing 360-degree spins at high speeds, zooming across the surface of bright turquoise water is all part of the fun. Sounds dreamy, right? Don’t worry, you’ll be wearing a life jacket.

Go there: 7-Day Southern Voyager, 14-Day Big South, 14-Day NZ Explorer,21 Day NZ Discovery

#5 White Water Rafting

Location: Rotorua, Queenstown

The Kaituna River in Rotorua is home to the highest commercially raftable waterfall in the world. It’s a grade 5 river which includes three impressive waterfalls, the highest of which – Tutea Falls – is a whopping 7m high! Not only that, but it’s also one of the warmest rivers in New Zealand and, thanks to natural beauty mixed with the excellent rafting conditions, it’s been ranked as one of the best rivers to raft in the world.

Go there: 7-Day Northern Voyager, 14-Day NZ Adventurer, 14-Day NZ Explorer, 21 Day NZ Discovery

#6 Blackwater rafting

Location: Waitomo Caves

There’s going to see the world-famous glowworms in Waitomo Caves, and then there’s going the see the glowworms in a cave while abseiling, zip-lining and tubing on a blackwater rafting adventure. We like to take you off the beaten track at Wild Kiwi, so we thought doing adventure in the darkness with nothing but a headlamp and the light of glowworms twinkling in the darkness would be a pretty rad way to see this famed sight. Adrenaline levels may vary depending on how afraid of the dark you are… muahahaha!

Go there: 7-Day Northern Voyager, 14-Day NZ Adventurer, 14-Day NZ Explorer, 21 Day NZ Discovery

#7 Quad Biking

Location: Queenstown, Hanmer Springs

Depending on the rainfall levels, you’ll splash through muddy puddles or skid across dusty tracks along some of the country’s best off-road trails on four wheels. And there’s no better way to see the beauty of New Zealand nature that these trails. Prepare to get dirty and enjoy the views as you take the reins on your own quad bike.

Go there: 7-Day Southern Voyager, 14-Day Big South, 14-Day NZ Explorer,21 Day NZ Discovery

#8 Mountain Biking

Location: Rotorua, Queenstown, Hanmer Springs

It might sound a little bit softer than skydiving, bungy jumping, and white water rafting but trust us, when you’re zooming downhill over tree roots, uneven ground and round corners leaving dust trails behind you, it doesn’t feel so soft. While Rotorua offers world-class mountain biking trails, if you’re looking for something a little different, why not try a heli mountain biking adventure in Queenstown?

Go there: 7-Day Northern Voyager, 14-Day NZ Adventurer, 14-Day NZ Explorer, 21 Day NZ Discovery

#9 Canyon Swinging

Location: Queenstown

Your stomach will end up in your mouth and your shrieks of joy (or terror!) are sure to fill the canyon with echoes. This is an unforgettable experience in a beautiful location; the Nevis swing is located in Queenstown and you can get strapped in solo or with your bestie for a tandem ride, before being let go forwards, backwards or even upside down. How daring are you feeling?!

Go there: 7-Day Southern Voyager, 14-Day Big South, 14-Day NZ Explorer,21 Day NZ Discovery