Adventures & Adrenaline on New Zealand’s North Island

New Zealand is an amazing country for adventurous travelers! The team at Down Under Endeavours loves to experience all that New Zealand has to offer. If you are looking for an adventure-packed vacation, New Zealand’s North Island is an amazing destination!

Top adventures on New Zealand’s North Island:

Active Volcanoes

Walk on an Active Volcano - White Island Heli Hike - New Zealand Travel Agents - Shannon Bradley
Heli-hiking on White Island, an active volcano. Image courtesy of Shannon Bradley

Have you ever stood on an active volcano? Now’s your chance! Check out New Zealand’s only active marine volcano—White Island, also known as Whakaari—for a once-in-a-lifetime experience! Helicopter tours from Rotorua allow you to land on White Island and hike around the surface to take in the otherworldly scenery.

Zorbing

Zorbing Adventure in Rotorua, New Zealand
Zorbing in Rotorua. Image: Tourism New Zealand

Feel like a kid again while you roll around in this fun contraption! Welcome to the world of zorbing, where you have the option of rolling downhill wet, dry, zig-zag, or straight down! This is a Rotorua classic and a must-do activity for any adrenaline junkie.

Sea Kayaking in the Coromandel Peninsula

Sea Kayaking in the Coromandel Peninsula - Cathedral Cove, New Zealand
Cathedral Cove, Coromandel Peninsula. Image: Tourism New Zealand

New Zealand is filled with aquatic adventure, and Cathedral Cove is the perfect place to kayak along the Coromandel Peninsula! Discover the fun behind sea kayaking, which can be both relaxing and a workout! Paddle through sea caves and interact with local marine life, all while the wine is in your hair and the warm sun hits your skin.

Mountain Biking

Mountain Biking in Rotorua
Mountain biking in Rotorua’s Whakarewarewa Forest. Image: Tourism New Zealand

New Zealand is known for there amazing mountain biking trails, but the north island does not compare! Although the country is filled with a multitude of amazing trails, here are some of our favorites:

  • Woodhill Bike Park, Auckland: Woodhill offers over 80 miles of trail to explore for all skill levels. If you love jumps, you’ll find a plethora of options, from small to large. If you prefer a mellow ride, there are loads of cross-country trails to explore!
  • Pan Pac Eskdale Mountain Bike Park, Napier: The Eskdale Mountain Bike Park offers a little something for everyone, from downhill to freeride trails to explore. Fun fact, Eskdale is home to three pro downhill riders, including the 2009 World Junior Downhill Champ Brook Macdonald!
  • Makara Peak MTB Park, Wellington: Makara Peak MTB Park just happens to be an amazing network of singletrack trails right in the heart of the city! Soak up the epic views of the city, ocean, and surrounding hills on these awesome trails.

Abseiling in the Waitomo Caves

Abseiling Waitomo Caves
Abseiling in Waitomo Caves. Image: Tourism New Zealand

Abseiling, also called rappelling, is the controlled descent of a vertical drop, such as a rock face, using a rope. Now picture dropping down into the amazing network of caves below Waitomo! In this impressive labyrinth, you can also go blackwater rafting and see glowworms.

Bungy Jumping

Bungy Jumping Off Auckland Harbour Bridge
Bungy jumping off the Auckland Harbour Bridge. Image: AJ Hackett Bungy

This should be on any adrenaline junkie’s bucket list—especially if you’re visiting Auckland since the perfect bungy spot happens to be the Auckland Harbour Bridge! There’s nothing like a good adrenaline rush with this iconic skyline as your backdrop.

We’re ready for an adventure; how about you? Give our travel experts a call at (888) 229-0082 and start planning your next New Zealand getaway! Or, browse all of our outdoor adventure packages.