Our top picks for experiences in New Zealand
New Zealand has a certain magic to it. Its unbelievable scenery, adventure, relaxation and good food and wine attract millions of tourists every year. And with New Zealand’s borders opening, tourists are finally returning. Whether you’re the adventurous type that fancies leaping off the world’s highest cliff jump or a relaxation lover that prefers good food or a soak in natuaral hot pools, New Zealand has something for you. Check out these amazing experiences to have on your next New Zealand holiday.
New Zealand Experiences for the Adventurous
Canyon Swing in Queenstown
Imagine free falling 60 meters down a cliff face then swinging through a stunning canyon before being pulled back up to the top. If you can manage to keep your eyes open, the scenery is truly breathtaking. The canyon swing in Queenstown is an experience like no other and is not for the faint-hearted. Get creative with your jumpstyle and ride a trike over the edge, fall back off a chair, plunge down a slide or fall headfirst. If you don’t want to go it alone, you can go tandem with a buddy. This epic experience is only 15 minutes from the city of Queenstown. Book in advance online to avoid disappointment.
Adrenalin Forest Christchurch
For a day packed full of adventure the whole family can enjoy, head out to Adrenalin Forest Christchurch. This aerial obstacle course stretches through the trees for more than two kilometres and is 20 metres off the ground. It will have your heart racing as you challenge yourself with a series of 100 activities. Challenge yourself and see how far you can go. Bookings are essential so call or book online. If you’re staying at Tasman Holiday Parks – Christchurch, it’s just a quick 15-minute drive.
Sky Dive Tauranga
Fall for the beautiful Bay of Plenty with a tandem skydive in Tauranga. Enjoy a peaceful 20-to-25-minute scenic flight overlooking Mount Maunganui, White Island, Mount Ruapehu, the Rotorua Lakes, The Coromandel, Mount Taranaki and beautiful golden beaches before leaping out of the plane. You will fall through the sky at a heart-stopping 200 kilometers per hour before gliding like a bird over the most amazing scenery. Choose from a 12,000ft or 15,000ft jump and make sure you book ahead to avoid missing out. If you’re staying at Tasman Holiday Parks – Papamoa Beach, it’s just a short 15 minute drive to Tauranga Airport.
New Zealand Experiences for the Nature Lovers
Milford Sound
Surround yourself in nature in some of the world’s most vivid wilderness at Milford Sound. On the west coast of New Zealand’s South Island, you will discover the eighth wonder of the world where cliffs rise from dark inky waters, mountains disappear into the clouds and waterfalls plunge down steep rocky cliff faces. There are many ways to explore its raw beauty from a day or overnight cruise, kayaking, scuba diving, snorkelling, or hiking. Tasman Holiday Parks – Te Anau is the perfect place to stay when visiting Milford Sound. It’s approximately a two-hour drive, or for a scenic journey where you can sit back and relax, join a coach or cruise tour.
Arthur’s Pass National Park
Two hours northwest of Christchurch is the magnificent Arthur’s Pass. It’s the highest and most spectacular pass across the Southern Alps. Stay at Tasman Holiday Parks – Christchurch and enjoy a scenic day trip to Arthur’s Pass by car or onboard the TranzAlpine Train. On the eastern side, you’ll see wide riverbeds and rows of beech forest. On the western side, you’ll see dense rainforest and deeply gorged rivers. Explore this natural wonder along hiking trails that lead to waterfalls, past massive limestone boulders, through caves, and to lookouts. If you’re visiting during winter, the ski fields are open and ready for you to enjoy.
Kepler Track
Immerse yourself amongst nature along the 60-kilometre Kepler Track. The track takes approximately four days to complete leading you along beautiful ridgelines with epic views of mountains, lakes, and wilderness. You will feel like you are walking on top of the world. If a 60-kilometre hike isn’t your thing, the Kepler Track is broken up into sections so you can choose a track based on your fitness level. The Kepler Track is easily accessible from Tasman Holiday Parks – Te Anau. Please note, the Kepler Track must be booked in advance during peak season (late October to late April). During winter (May to October) the track has reduced facilities and additional safety risks due to avalanches.
New Zealand Experiences for the Foodies
Smash Palace Christchurch
For a quirky little bar that serves good burgers, locally brewed beer and other refreshing bevies, look no further than Smash Palace in Christchurch. Originally, this local favourite was called Goodbye Blue Monday before it came tumbling down in the 2011 Christchurch earthquakes. Reborn from the ashes of tragedy, it has a real community feel and is a great way to immerse yourself in the New Christchurch.
Taste of Plenty
Taste the local flavours the Bay of Plenty has to offer on the Taste of Plenty food tour. Sample food from restaurants, markets, specialty food shops and hole in the wall production facilities. This is perfect for those that love good food as well as a little history of the local area. Tours are for small groups from six to 14 people but can cater for larger or private groups on request.
Pegasus Bay Winery
New Zealand is home to some of the most world-renowned wineries. When staying in Christchurch you can’t go past the Pegasus Bay Winery. Located in Canterbury, just a 40 minutes drive from Christchurch, you can enjoy some of the region’s finest wines. Choose from a range of local bites from the onsite deli, pop them in a basket along with a bottle of your favourite drop and enjoy a picnic in the gardens. They also have wine tasting seven days a week from 10am to 5pm.
New Zealand Experiences for the Relaxation Lovers
Natural Hot Pools
New Zealand has no shortage of natural hot pools. This is because New Zealand is positioned where two tectonic plates meet causing geothermal activity. This allows warm water to bubble up through to the earth’s surface forming natural hot pools. It is believed that the high volume of minerals in these pools has natural healing properties. Some are free to visit whilst others have an entry fee. One of the many hot pools the whole family can enjoy is Hanmer Springs. Kids will love the activity pool, cascade pools, lazy river, and water slides. If you’re visiting without kids, enjoy one of New Zealand’s premier day spas with a wide range of therapies available.
Hot Spa and Sauna
Visit Tasman Holiday Parks Lake Te Anau and enjoy a wooden barrel hot tub overlooking the picturesque Lake Te Anau. The lake is as still as glass mirroring the magnificent snow-capped mountains that tower from above. To top it off, finish your restoration session with some time in a Scandinavian inspired barrel sauna. You can book your private spa session ahead of time to avoid disappointment. For guests, it costs $30 for two people and $10 per additional person. For non-staying guests, it’s $60 for two people and an additional $20 per additional person. For the sauna, staying guests can use it for free and for non-staying guests a $10 fee applies. In between each session, the spa is scrubbed and topped up when needed. It is emptied at the end of every day and thoroughly cleaned. It is then refilled the following day ready for the first session.
