It's no secret that New Zealand has a love of all things thrilling. Our country is packed with adventures to get your adrenalin pumping, and is home to the 'Adventure Capital of the World', Queenstown. From air and land to water and even underground, there are awesome activities around the country that anyone can enjoy - if you dare. Here are my picks for the Top 10 Adventure Activities in New Zealand, in no particular order:

01. Skydiving
02. Bungy Jumping
03. White-water rafting
04. Paragliding
05. Heli-skiing/heli-boarding
06. Jet-boating
07. Black-water rafting
08. Abseiling/rock-climbing
09. Off-road driving
10. Hot-air-ballooning

01. Skydiving

There's nothing quite like jumping out of a plane at 15,000ft. The feeling of freefalling at around 200km per hour is indescribable, and to top it off, there's the part where you float peacefully to the ground while taking in the incredible views. You can try this exhilarating activity in various places throughout the country, including Taupo, Wanaka, Abel Tasman, Rotorua and Queenstown. But watch out, it's known to be addictive.
Photo: Kristy Turton © Taupo Tandem Skydiving

02. Bungy Jumping

New Zealand is the home of the bungy, after being the first country in the world to offer a commercial jump. Picture standing on the edge of a platform high above land or water, knees knocking and adrenalin pumping, before taking the leap of faith and diving off. Sound exciting? You can try this at places including Auckland, Rotorua, Taupo, Taihape, Hanmer Springs and Queenstown. Photo: © Terri Pattison

03. White-water rafting

New Zealand's rivers were made for white-water rafting. Whether you're an adventure junkie after a week-long rafting trip, or an amateur wanting a quick, thrilling ride on short rapids, there's a white-water rafting option for you. Experienced operators are located throughout New Zealand on some of our most beautiful and secluded rivers. Choose a river with easy, grade-one rapids or opt for an intense white-water raft over turbulent waves on a grade-five river.

04. Paragliding

Have you always dreamed of flying? Make it a reality and go paragliding. Imagine launching yourself off the ground and breaking free from gravity to soar among the clouds - it's safe, exhilarating and is bound to keep you on a high. Choose a gentle scenic glide or an adrenalin-filled flight and experience the amazing feeling of free flying. Great places to experience this include Auckland, Christchurch, Marlborough Sounds, Havelock North, Nelson, Wanaka and Queenstown.

05. Heli-skiing/heli-boarding

This is the ultimate adventure for skiing and snowboarding fans. Race down heart-pumping terrain before being picked up in a helicopter and dropped on top of the next peak - powder heaven! Perhaps the best thing about it is the untouched terrain. With no crowds to worry about and pure, clean snow, this is the best way to experience New Zealand's impressive skiing and snowboarding mountains. Do this at places such as Methven, Aoraki/Mt Cook, Wanaka and Queenstown.
Photo: Heli-skiing © Christchurch & Canterbury Marketing

06. Jet-boating

Imagine skimming along a river in a jet boat at high speed, narrowly missing sheer rock faces and twisting and turning through narrow canyons. In New Zealand you can jet boat in calm rivers, man-made courses or through river rapids. Hold on tight for 360-degree spins and sharp turns, and don't expect to stay dry! There are many places around the country where you can try this popular activity.
Photo: Shotover Jet © Richard Zhang

07. Black-water rafting

Jumping, squeezing, sliding and floating through a cave deep underground wearing a wetsuit and an inflatable rubber tube will be an experience you won't forget! Make your way through dark waterways, riding the subterranean river current, and make sure you check out the thousands of sparkling glowworms above. You can try this at Waitomo, Westport and Greymouth.
Photo: Black-water rafting © Waitomo Adventures

08. Abseiling/rock-climbing

Scale huge cliff faces and experience the buzz as you reach the top, or lower yourself backwards over a cliff or into a cave and feel the excitement of abseiling. Not only is rock-climbing a great workout, it will surely provide a real feeling of accomplishment, and half of the fun is in the descent. Some of the best rock-climbing spots are at Auckland, Waitomo, Taupo, Canterbury and Queenstown.

09. Off-road driving

Go quad biking, 4-wheel driving, take a ride in a monster truck, or get behind the wheel of a real rally car! There are plenty of providers around the country to take you on off-road tours through spectacular scenery, and allow you to experience the excitement of driving yourself over thin bridges, down metal slides and through rivers. The muddier the better! Photo: © Linda Ryan

10. Hot-air-ballooning

With such rich and diverse scenery, New Zealand is perhaps best seen by air. And what better way to take in the sights than to soar through the skies in a beautiful balloon? Not so scary, but the incredible views, romance and excitement of it all will make a hot air balloon trip the adventure of a lifetime. Popular locations for this include the Hawke's Bay, Hamilton, Canterbury and Queenstown.


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