Top 10 Adventures in New Zealand

New Zealand packs an extraordinary variety of landscapes into two compact islands — glacial fjords, volcanic plateaus, alpine peaks and wild coastline. For travelers seeking a little adventure, here are ten of the best experiences.

Ten New Zealand adventures

• Jet-boating — spin through canyons on the Shotover River near Queenstown.
• Whale watching at Kaikoura — sperm whales year-round, with a high success rate.
• Franz Josef & Fox Glaciers — heli-hike onto living ice on the West Coast.
• Cruise Milford Sound — Fiordland's cathedral of cliffs and waterfalls.
• Hike the Great Walks — from the Routeburn to the Milford Track.
• Bungy and skydive — at the birthplace of the bungy jump.
• Waitomo glowworm caves — drift beneath a galaxy of glowworms.
• Geothermal Rotorua — geysers, hot springs and Māori culture.
• Hobbiton & Middle-earth — film locations across both islands.
• Stargaze in the Mackenzie — one of the world's largest Dark Sky Reserves.

Plan your New Zealand adventure

Swain Destinations builds these experiences into private, tailor-made New Zealand itineraries, matched to your pace and paired with the country's finest lodges.