New Zealand Adventure Activities: Bungee, Skydiving & More

Overview

New Zealand has earned its reputation as the world's adventure capital, packing bungee jumping, skydiving, jet boating and glacier hikes into a country you can drive across in a day. Whether you want a single adrenaline rush or a week of thrill-seeking, the North and South Islands both deliver world-class operators and jaw-dropping backdrops.

Bungee Jumping

Queenstown is home to the Kawarau Bridge, site of the world's first commercial bungee jump, launched by AJ Hackett in 1988 and still one of the most iconic 43-metre leaps on the planet. Nearby, the Nevis Bungy and Ledge Swing push things even further for repeat jumpers.

Skydiving

Tandem skydives over Lake Taupo or Queenstown let you freefall from up to 15,000 feet with views of lakes, mountains and, on a clear day, both coasts. Most jumps include photo and video packages so you can relive the drop long after landing.

Jet Boating & Rafting

Shotover Jet's high-speed spins through the narrow Shotover River canyons are a Queenstown classic, while rivers like the Kawarau and Rangitata offer grade III-V white-water rafting for every experience level. Both are typically half-day trips that fit easily around a longer itinerary.

Hiking & Glacier Walks

On the South Island, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing (technically North Island) and the Fox and Franz Josef Glacier walks reward hikers with volcanic craters, turquoise lakes and blue ice caves without needing technical climbing experience for the standard routes.