Activities in New Zealand
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FEATURED
Kaituna River White Water Rafting from Rotorua
3 hours (Departs Rotorua, New Zealand)
by Viator
Kaituna River features grade 5 rapids plus the awesome 7 meter (21 feet) Tutea Falls, the worlds highest commercially rafted waterfall. Take the ultimate thrill…Not LP reviewed
from USD$82.42 - All activities
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Te Anau Glow Worm Caves Tour
2 hours 30 minutes (Departs Te Anau, New Zealand)
by Viator
The fascinating Te Anau caves system on the western shore of Lake Te Anau offers an underground adventure that charms visitors of all ages. This tour takes you…Not LP reviewed
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Mokoia Island Wai Ora Experiences
This operator takes visitors out to Mokoia Island on a 2½-hour Ultimate Island Experience tour. The tour includes wildlife-spotting, hearing tales of the island, and letting you dip your toes in the legendary hot pool of Hinemoa.
reviewed
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Bay of Islands Day Tour from Auckland
12 hours (Departs Auckland, New Zealand)
by Viator
Tour the Bay of Islands on a full-day trip from Auckland. You'll see spectacular rural and coastal scenery en route, visit historic Waitangi, cruise from Paihia…Not LP reviewed
from USD$197.30 -
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Whale Watch Kaikoura
With knowledgeable guides and fascinating ‘world of whales’ onboard animation, Kaikoura’s biggest operator heads out on boat trips (with admirable frequency) to introduce you to some of the big fellers. It’ll refund 80% of your fare if no whales are sighted (success rate: 98%). If this trip is a must for you, allow a few days flexibility in case the weather turns to custard.
reviewed
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Bay Of Islands Overnight Cruise
by Viator
Treat yourself on this Bay of Islands overnight cruise. Enjoy cruising the pristine tranquil waters of the Bay of Islands as you watch the sun rise and set from…Not LP reviewed
from USD$315.52 -
Milford Sound Full-Day Tour from Queenstown including Helicopter Flight
10 hours (Departs Queenstown, New Zealand)
by Viator
Discover Milford Sound by land, sea and air on this ultimate full-day tour from Queenstown. First, you'll travel through magnificent alpine landscapes onnbsp; a…Not LP reviewed
from USD$789.22 -
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Fullers Great Sights
The four-hour Dolphin Cruise (adult/child $95/48) departs daily at 9am and 1.30pm, actively seeking out dolphins and any other marine mammals en route to the Hole in the Rock, stopping at Urupukapuka Island on the way back.
You won't visit the Hole in the Rock on the four-hour Dolphin Eco Experience (adult/child $105/53, departs 8am and 12.30pm), rather the focus is finding pods of dolphins you can swim with.
The full-day Cream Trip (adult/child $109/55) follows the old supply and mail route around the whole of the bay and includes dolphin-swimming and boom-netting (where you can get close to the critters while being dragged through the water in a net).
A glamorous option…
reviewed
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Footprints Waipoua
Led by Maori guides, this four-hour twilight tour into Waipoua Forest is a fantastic introduction to both the culture and the forest giants. Tribal history and stories are shared, and mesmerising karakia (prayer, incantation) recited before the gargantuan trees.
reviewed
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Wither Hills Farm Park
In a town as flat as a pancake, this 1100-hectare park provides welcome relief, offering a range of walks and mountainbike trails with grand views across the Wairau Valley and out to Cloudy Bay. Pick up a map from the i-SITE or check the information panels at the gates.
reviewed
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Turoa Ski Area
Ruapehu’s Turoa Ski Area offers skiing to suit all levels: around 400 hectares of field each, both taking you up to a maximum altitude of around 2300m. Beginners are well catered for, with gear hire, ski school, good learner areas and some nice easy runs. During the ski season you can tune into SKI FM 93.4, Aerial FM 96.6 or Peak FM 95.8 for updates on the slopes, or ring the Snowphone.
reviewed
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Bone Dude
Creative types should book a session with the Bone Dude, now relocated to the suburb of Shirley, where you can craft your own bone carving (allow three hours). Owner John Fraser, who's of Ngati Rangitihi ancestry, provides a range of traditional Maori templates, or you can work on your own design. Sessions are limited to eight participants, so booking ahead is highly recommended. John can also run evening sessions for a group of at least three participants. Catch bus number 60 from the Central Bus Station.
reviewed
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Cardrona
Around 34km from Wanaka, Cardrona has several high-capacity chairlifts, beginners’ tows and extreme snowboard terrain (including the 'Heavy Metal' snowboard park). Buses run from Wanaka and Queenstown during ski season. Good services for skiers with disabilities, plus an on-field crèche. In summer, the mountain bikers take over.
reviewed
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Whakapapa Ski Area
Ruapehu’s Whakapapa Ski Area offers skiing to suit all levels: around 400 hectares of field, taking you up to a maximum altitude of around 2300m. Beginners are well catered for, with gear hire, ski school, good learner areas and some nice easy runs. During the ski season you can tune into SKI FM 93.4, Aerial FM 96.6 or Peak FM 95.8 for updates on the slopes, or ring the Snowphone.
reviewed
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Taiamai Tours Heritage Journeys
For a hands-on experience of Maori culture, paddle a traditional 50ft carved waka (canoe) from the Waitangi bridge to the Haruru Falls. The Ngapuhi hosts wear traditional garb and perform the proper karakia (incantations) and share stories.
reviewed
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Auckland Harbour Bridge Climb
90 minutes (Departs Auckland, New Zealand)
by Viator
Here's your chance to be Spiderman as you climb aboard Auckland's Harbour Bridge. In just 90 mintues you'll traverse the walkways accompanied by a local guide,…Not LP reviewed
from USD$99.90 -
Milford Sound Mariner Overnight Cruise from Queenstown
by Viator
An overnight cruise amidst spectacular Milford Sound, is a once in a lifetime experience. While on board the Milford Mariner you will cruise the full length of…Not LP reviewed
from USD$309.69 -
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Lost Spring
This expensive but intriguing Disney-meets-Rotorua thermal complex comprises a series of hot pools in a lush junglelike setting, complete with an erupting volcano. Yet this is an adult’s indulgence (children under 14 not permitted), leaving the grown-ups to marinate themselves in tropical tranquillity, cocktail in hand. There’s also a day spa and cafe.
reviewed
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Across Country Quad Bikes
Four-wheeled outings, rockin’ and rollin’ through the rainforest (two hours, rider/passenger $160/70). A heliquad option ($435, 2½ hours) traverses the mountains and coastline by air before taking on a remote West Coast beach. Mountain bike hire available (half-/full day $25/40).
reviewed
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Black Cat
Black Cat operates two-hour Christchurch Wildlife Cruises on Lyttelton Harbour, where you may see rare Hector’s dolphins, blue penguins and various seabirds. A free shuttle bus for participants leaves Cathedral Sq in Christchurch at 12.50pm. Black Cat also shuttles across to nearby Quail Island, and to pretty Diamond Harbour (adult/child $10/5; 23 times daily).
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Rafting NZ
Offering a warm welcome, hot showers and a taste of Maori culture, this operator is a popular choice. The main trips offered are Tongariro Whitewater with an optional waterfall jump (Grade III, four hours, adult/child $119/109) and the Family Fun raft over more relaxed rapids (Grade II, three hours, adult/child $75/65). Groups of four or more can tackle an overnighter (Grade III+, per person $350), rafting to a riverside campsite and then hitting more rapids the following day.
reviewed
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Happy Valley Adventures
Dangle 150m above the forest in the 'Skywire' (a chairlift/flying-fox hybrid), then soar through the air for its 1.65km length. If that ain't enough, take a quad-bike tour, or if it's too much, try a 2½-hour horse trek. Or just have coffee and cake in the cafe – a 15-minute drive northeast of Nelson along SH6.
reviewed
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Coronet Peak
The Queenstown region’s oldest ski field is Coronet Peak. A multimillion dollar snow-making system and treeless slopes provide excellent skiing and snowboarding for all levels. There's night skiing Friday and Saturday, from July to September. Shuttles run from Queenstown, 18km away.
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Scenic Cycle Rides
Scenic Cycle Rides runs tours on the Ohakune Mountain Rd, 17km downhill stopping at waterfalls and pools (two hours, adult/child $50/40), and the Ruatiti downhill, 19km downhill (three hours total, adult/child $60/50), with all necessary gear supplied. It also hires out bikes (road/mountain bike $10/15 per hour). Note: cycling on national-park walking trails is illegal.
reviewed
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Cape Reinga and 90 Mile Beach Tour from Bay of Islands
11 hours (Departs Paihia, Bay of Islands, New Zealand)
by Viator
Take an action-packed day trip from Paihia to the tip of New Zealand’s North Island on a guided tour of Cape Reinga! The Waverider coach, built to traverse…Not LP reviewed
from USD$107.39 -
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Ross Adventures
It’s the fervently held opinion of Ross that Waiheke offers kayaking every bit as good as the legendary Abel Tasman National Park. He should know – he's been offering guided kayak trips for over 20 years. Experienced sea kayakers can comfortably circumnavigate the island in four days, exploring hidden coves and sand spits inaccessible by land.
reviewed