New Zealand’s wild and varied landscapes make the country a natural setting for extreme adventure holidays. New Zealand is world-renowned for adrenaline-packed adventures, nowhere more so than in Queenstown, known as the adventure capital of the world. Whether airborne, on water or whizzing over land in all-terrain vehicles, there’s plenty to keep an adrenaline junkie occupied with New Zealand holiday packages.
1. The Ultimate Bungee Jump
The Kawarau River in New Zealand’s Otago Region flows from Lake Wakatipu to Lake Dunstan near the town of Cromwell. Along the way, the river passes under Kawarau Bridge, the site of the world’s first commercial public bungee jumping operation. Since 1988, locals and tourists alike have been leaping off the 140-feet high bridge on elastic bungee cords. Participants can choose to jump solo or tandem. Jumpers are also offered three options: to bob above the water, to touch the surface or to be fully immersed.
2. Wilderness Rafting in the Landsborough Valley
Running nearly 40 miles parallel to the country’s Southern Alps, New Zealand’s Landsborough River offers a variety of backcountry adventure experiences. One of the best ways to explore the spectacular valley is on a combination rafting and camping adventure. Visitors glide through lush rainforests and paddle by immense glaciers, enjoying views of some of New Zealand’s most remote areas.
3. Canyoneering Through Queenstown Canyon
Just a 10-minute drive from Queenstown, visitors can try their hand at canyoneering through a canyon fed by streams and creeks from Lake Isobel. Adventurers rappel down cliff walls, slide down waterfalls and leap into pools under the instruction of an experienced guide. Participants may use zip lines to soar across canyons, may swim through pools or may scramble down rock slides. Half-day trips include about two hours of canyoneering.
4. Off-Road 4×4 Sport Biking
Off-road adventuring opportunities abound in New Zealand’s South Island. Queenstown 4×4 tours allow visitors to ride the sheep station trails off the backcountry. One of the most popular four-wheel drive tours explores famous film locations, giving participants a rare perspective of the sites used in movies like “Lords of the Rings” and “Wolverine.” While participants drive the all-terrain vehicles themselves, experienced guides lead the tours, pointing out film locations and photo opportunities along the way.
5. Paraglide Off Coronet Peak
Adrenaline-seeking visitors to New Zealand can enjoy two adventures in one by taking the Skyline Gondola up to the mile-high Coronet Peak located near Queenstown. The gondola is just a few minutes away from the center of city and is a breathtaking adventure in itself. Both paragliding and tandem hang gliding adventures are available. Participants soar over picturesque scenery, surrounded by majestic mountains. Tandem rides are operated by licenses pilots.
New Zealand holiday packages are available that combine adrenaline-packed adventures with visits to the country’s most famous attractions, ensuring that visitors to the land known as the “land of the long white cloud” won’t miss any of the nation’s most spectacular sites.
Follow itravelnet.com