You’re likely to hear quite a bit about New Zealand between now and November. It’s the first country I plan to visit on my round the world trip, and it’s known as the adventure capital of the world. New Zealanders, nicknamed kiwis after the flightless bird, are some of the friendliest people I’ve met abroad. The hardest part about going there as part of a long term trip is that I’ll be limited in budget. How on Earth will I pick the few activities (2….maybe 3 max) more worthwhile than the others from among the laundry list of options. Well, I still don’t know what’s going to happen when I set my boots on the ground, however I feel as though I’ve got some good experiences under my belt from which to judge those that should be next.

My past activities include: skateboarding, snowboarding, skiing, rock climbing, rapelling, skydiving, whitewater rafting, waterfall jumping, ziplining, sufing, snorkeling, hiking, waterskiing, horseback riding, dodgeball, you get the idea.

So without further ado, I present my Top 5 Adrenaline Rushes in New Zealand -

1. Bungy Jumping – According to AJ Hackett Bungy, the premier Bungy company in Kiwiland, the sport was begun as land diving on the island of Vanuatu in the South Pacific centuries ago. They jumped of rickety structures with vines tied to their ankles. I literally saw this old school approach on a documentary, and jumping over water should be a snap compared to those guys jumping over a soft pile of dirt! While I find it hard to believe it could beat the pure rush of skydiving, there’s no doubt in my mind it’d put some butterflies in my stomach. Cost: 43 meters = $150, 134 meters = $210, and 400 meters = $150 (all options include transport and t-shirt).
2. Jet boating – Jet boats skip over water as shallow as a few inches while flirting with canyon walls as you head downstream throwing 360’s and probably your lunch! Shotover Jet operates out of Queenstown and is the only operator licensed to cruise the Shotover River Canyons. Cost: $99 (life jacket included).
3. Canyoning – This activity includes navigating down a stream or river head on. You slide down water-slicked rock chutes into pools of water, jump off waterfalls, abseil, climb and generally go balls to the wall. It is something I’ve wanted to do since 2005 when I researched my Costa Rica trip. I missed my chance then, and have had a hankering for it since. Deep Canyon leads several tours near Lake Wanaka. Lowest cost (Niger Stream): $215 (aye, caramba!).
   
4. Glacier hike or ice climbing – Fox Glacier is the country’s largest commercially guided glacier according to Fox Glacier Guiding. Maybe it’s the threat of global warming, or all the mountaineering books I’ve been reading that make this one especially important to me. I’ve always wanted to try out crampons as well! Throw in the ice axe, and you’re talking about an adventure I’ve wanted to take since I was a teenager (ice climbing). Cost: $56 for 1/2 day hike, $81 for full day hike, and $180 for ice climbing.
5. Trekking (tramping) - The natural landscape varies so greatly, the country has it all from great forests and jungles to mountains, glaciers and volcanoes. There is a vast network of trails and popular trekking routes. If I were an outdoorsman, I might take one on myself. Alas, I’m not that adventurous when it comes to communing with nature, and bears. I have an anxious streak in me, so I’m sure I’d be out and about with a guide or group. Cost: Free to $1000+ for multi-day guided hikes.

Been to New Zealand, or have experience with these activities? Leave a comment, and help me decide!

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