To all sports lovers, if you are wondering what to do in Auckland New Zealand, here is a good place to start. In the following article, I present a list of the top 10 sports activities to engage yourself in. You can pick up some of them or might try to do them all in one go. They are all good to have on your bucket list adding to the travel experience!
Bungy Jump in New Zealand
This one is especially good for those who want a burst of adrenaline. You may jump from the edge of the bridge or the mountain cliffs. In either case, you will experience a rush of adrenaline and an increase in blood flow.
Nevis Bungy Jump Queenstown
For all thrill-seekers, the highest Bungy jump is in Queenstown, Nevis valley. This Bungy jump is 134 meters high and 8.5 seconds long, which is New Zealand's highest! You will jump from a Bungy pod suspended by a high wire.
Enjoy the views over to the valley and the waters of the Nevis River. A cable car will transport you to the jumping spot. Harness on! Experience Bungy jump in Queenstown, from New Zealand's highest jumping pod. You will want to put this on your trip's bucket list!
The Bungy jump Queenstown price is around $220 as of July 2021.
Auckland Bridge Bungy
For those of you who are not that extreme, you might do bungy jumping from Auckland's Harbour bridge. This is a 40m Bungy jump, which has a jumping pod attached underneath the bridge.
You jump from the bridge out to the water below, dipping your head in the ocean and then bouncing back. The price is $132 for the jump. You can either drive to this place or take a buggy bus here.
Bungee Jumping Sky Tower
Sky Jump from Auckland's Sky Tower, 192 meters up. Enjoy the best sights over Auckland's harbor bridge, Rangitoto and Waiheke Islands. Get a touch of adrenaline when you sky jump from Auckland's tallest building - the SkyTower. This trip takes only one hour, so you might put that into your bucket list as well.
Or if you are not into jumping, you may do a skywalk to enjoy the views instead.
Tandem Skydive New Zealand
For the more extreme of you, New Zealand has prepared a little bit of extra opportunity. Tandem Skydive Auckland is ready to take you on a plane. They will throw you out on the highest tandem skydive in New Zealand. The height is 20,000ft, which is 6096 meters! Get your palms sweating and your heart beating. Take the opportunity of Auckland Skydiving!
With Auckland skydiving, there is no tandem skydive age limit. Small children as young as 7 years old can do tandem skydiving! The only restriction is with 20,000ft skydives, which has an age limit set at 15 years or over.
Skydiving Auckland prices vary depending on the height. The 20 000 feet costs $595 which includes 85 seconds of freefall. The lower the skydive, the lower the price. The smallest is 9000 feet skydive which costs $295 and includes 25 seconds of freefall.
White Water Rafting
New Zealand is famous for its vast water reserves. It is a popular place for water sports and rafting adventures. Enjoy white water rafting in Auckland and Rotorua. These are top two places in New Zealand for great water rides.
White Water Rafting Auckland
Vector Wero manages white water rafting in Auckland. The so-called River Rush adventure is an advanced 3-4 Grade course. So if you want a boost of endorphin, try this 300m long course that costs around $100 per adult. The white water rafting age restrictions are 13 years old and above.
For an extra boost of adrenaline, you might want to try the so-called Pump Waterfall. The Pump Waterfall is a 4.5m drop down the highest artificial rafted waterfall. It is the main attraction of River Rush Rafting and Kayaking.
White Water Rafting Rotorua
Kaituna River white water rafting is New Zealand's best rafting. It scores a grade of 5 for the white water rafting experience. It costs only $105. You will have a journey that will take you to the famous Kaituna river for a 50-minute ride down 14 rapid water streams. You will dive along a white water rafting Rotorua 7m waterfall. This is the world's highest rafted waterfall - Tutea Falls.
This is a must-do for rafting enthusiasts. Since it has great rafting trips, you can place white water rafting in Rotorua on the bucket list!
Rock Climbing Outdoors
The Road Trip says there are many locations available for outdoor rock climbing. Places such as Fjord Islands, Lake Taupo, Castle Hill Basin, and Alpine Climbing in New Zealand.
For Alpine climbing, you will find the tallest peaks on South Island in the Southern Alps. It features mountains of over 3000m. There are several other mountains as well as places to do outdoor climbing. Read The Road Trip for more details on outdoor rock climbing.
Rock Climbing Indoor
Do not confuse it with outdoor rock climbing. Indoor rock climbing involves climbing on artificial rocks attached to the wall.
Indoor Rock Climbing Auckland
Extreme Edge is New Zealand's largest indoor climbing center. It resides in Auckland. It is housed in a former plane hangar, a four-story-high, quarter-acre-sized building.
There are several areas where families can bring their children to. The birthday party areas charge a $20 fee for area access. The larger Party Platform allows a 360-degree view of climbing walls and costs $60. Birthday parties are small areas made for rock climbing for kids.
Rock climbing Panmure is a good zone for kids to develop agility and dexterity skills. For adults, it is a good way to keep fit and try something new.
Rock Climbing Auckland North Shore
There are several places for rock climbing on the north shore. First is Northern Rocks, which is a rock climbing gym in Auckland. Second is Clip 'N Climb North Shore, a place dedicated to rock climbing in Auckland. Both places are suitable for rock climbing for kids.
Rock Climbing Wellington
In Wellington, rock climbing is accessible through the FERGS company. People of all ages and fitness levels are welcome. Fergs Kayaks Wellington has a 13m high marvel wall. There is an option for a unique and separate lead climbing room and Bouldering area. These provide world-class services.
Gliding
If you are up for it, you may also try gliding in NZ. Gliding NZ offers gliding journeys to keep you awake and fresh. It is a challenging type of sport that requires the pilot to navigate a gliding plane. During the flight, you will see exciting New Zealand scenery and landscapes.
It is possible to hire a glider pilot and book a trial flight. You will need to join the gliding club and look for a gliding membership board. Once you join the club, you will get an instructor. The instructor will take you to the gliding flights and will teach you the basics of gliding. You can find Membership costs on this website.
Paragliding and Hang Gliding
As you can see from the naming, paragliding and Hang gliding are like gliding. The only difference is the transport that you use. In both the hang gliders and paragliders, the pilot flies a light, non-motorized plane. The pilot's legs are used for take-off and landing. In gliders, the plane takes off and lands using a wheeled undercarriage or skids.
Paragliding is available at many sites across New Zealand. The most famous sites are Queenstown, Auckland, Lake Taupo, and Rotorua.
Paragliding Auckland
In Auckland, there are about 40 sites around the city available for paragliding. Refer to WingsAndWaves to look for an instructor and individual lessons.
Paragliding Queenstown
In Queenstown, there is a tandem paragliding service offered by Queenstown Tandem Paragliding. The paragliders launch from the peak above the Skyline Gondola. It is some 2500 feet above Queenstown. You will ride a cable car to the top of a mountain and then will fly from there with your designated pilot.
The price for this luxurious trip is $249 per person. There are also fees for the Gondola ride that costs $44 for adults and $26 for kids.
Lake Taupo and Rotorua Paragliding
Paragliding in Rotorua has been suspended as of July 2021. You can find more information on this website.
Big Sky Parasail Lake Taupo New Zealand organizes parasailing in Lake Taupo. According to Sky Parasail, parasailing is one of New Zealand's top-rated activities. The prices range from $135 per person for solo flights to $105 for tandem parasail flights.
Kayaking and Canoeing
Kayaking is a fun and engaging sport. You will buy, rent or own a bright yellow-colored boat with one or two seats. You move the boat by stroking with a double-sided or one-sided oar. It's all that simple.
Kayaking North Shore
On the North Shore, there are many places to kayak. First, there is a North Shore Canoe Club which operates over the Takapuna region and lake. Second, there is North Shore Kayak Fishing Club which offers fishing services. Services cover the whole Waiake Beach.
Kayaking Te Atatu
One of the places where you can go kayaking is in Te Atatu South near the motorway 16 exit. There is a Te Atatu Boating Club, which is a bar and a yacht parking space at the same time. You can bring your kayak there and have a small swim underneath the bridge and back. There is a strong current so be careful when navigating around bridge pillars.
Kayaking Abel Tasman
Abel Tasman Kayaks EST 1966 operates Kayaking Abel Tasman. Abel Tasman National Park resides on the northern part of South Island. It is near Kahurangi National Park. The company has half-day and full-day tours available for sale. You can rent a kayak there for $60.
The tours encompass both kayaking and walking activities. You get to choose whichever option you desire and the amount of stay - from half to one day and overnight.
Hot Air Balloon
A hot-air balloon is a lighter-than-air aircraft. It consists of a bag that contains heated air. A gondola or wicker basket, which carries passengers, is suspended beneath the bag. In most cases, an open flame caused by burning liquid propane powers the balloon.
Hot Air Balloon Waikato
Balloons over Waikato New Zealand operate hot-air balloon services around the Waikato area. They supply balloons that are over 24 meters tall, 15 meters wide with a weight under 300 kg.
It's worth trying this out. The hot-air balloons are the first successful human-carrying flight technology according to Wikipedia.
Canyoning NZ
New Zealand is a perfect place to start canyoning as there are plenty of caves and rivers in the wild. So there are vast opportunities to explore and immerse yourself in canyoning adventures.
Canyoning Coromandel
CanyoNZ offers the best canyon adventures in New Zealand. If you want to finish your bucket list off with the last item, this is the place to go. North island guided trips will lead you through the beautiful landscapes of New Zealand.
They will take you through The Thames Canyoning Coromandel region. In there they will teach you Maori and European history and show historic artifacts. You will enjoy the geology of the area plus steep waterfalls and cliff faces.
Canyoning Queenstown
In Queenstown canyoning is managed by the Canyon Explorers team. They are the most experienced canyoning operators in the Queenstown region. They started canyoning in 1998 and climbing in 2003.
They will take you through the wilderness areas and places otherwise unreachable. Join in summer and you will get plenty of adventurous endeavors.
Canyoning Abel Tasman
In Abel Tasman, there is an Abel Tasman Canyons Team. They will take you through torrent rivers and waterfall creeks.
Final Thoughts
With so many adrenaline activities on the list, it is clear that New Zealand is a vast and diverse country. New Zealand's nature leaves something to think about. It is massive, providing great power and supplying energy with its strong water flows. Come here to witness the beauty and glory of Mother Nature.
