Travel News New zealand
Latest New Zealand Travel News
What's happening downunder
New Zealand has seen another record year for tourist numbers, and it's no surprise considering the natural beauty and abundance of activities!
Hiker's heaven
New Zealand has one of the most extensive back-country hut and trail networks in the World, which is quite a thing, considering the size of the country!
The Department of Conversation does a great job of maintaining the huts and trails. https://my.yola.com/
Adventure Junkies heaven
Have you ever fancied throwing yourself off a bridge or flying on a massive swing or doing any combination of these things?
Well NZ is the place to go!
Queenstown - Adventure Capital
For travellers wanting to take in the mind-bogglingly stunning scenery of New Zealand's South Island while getting a high-octane shot of adrenaline, Queenstown and the surrounding Fiordland area are bucket-list must-do's.
Queenstown is not only an adventure tourism capital, but it's also home to an important place in bungee-jumping history. In November 1988, from Queenstown's Kawarau Bridge, bungee pioneers A.J. Hackett and Henry van Asch launched one of the world's first commercially operated bungee jumping sites. More than 27 years later, Kawarau Bridge Bungy remains renowned as one of Queenstown's most exhilarating activities.
While a 141-foot jump might sound insane, not to mention fear-punching and adrenaline-driving, there are those who want more. The region also offers a plethora of other buzz-filled activities sure to knock the complacency out of any travel-weary adventurer. On the list of activities to consider are skydiving, jet boating, kayaking, whitewater rafting and rainforest trekking. And Queenstown can provide it.
When it comes to skydiving, jumpers leave the planes operated by NZONE Skydive Queenstown at more than 16,000 feet above sea level, well above peaceful Lake Wakatipu and the 2,319-foot heights of the craggy Remarkables mountain range, which rivals western Canada's Rockies in magnificence.
There are few, if any, other places in the world where you can do some scenic mountain sightseeing while plunging at a velocity of 124 mph for 10,000 feet of free fall. In 60 seconds.
There are several jump options, but my friend Andrew Benson and I went all the way and chose 15,000-foot jumps with experienced tandem skydivers. If you've never fully experienced being totally present in the moment, skydiving is the only way to go. Nothing else is happening as you plummet earthward before the canopy opens above you.
"Do it with someone whose smile gives you joy," Andrew said.
NZONE also provides skydiving photographers to capture your jump for an extra fee. We took them up on the offer and wound up joining hands with our photographer in midair.
The mind-blowing rush of the free fall lasted 60 seconds, after which we enjoyed five minutes of sailing through clear skies under the chutes' canopies.
Next, a short bus ride from Queenstown's center took us to Shotover Jet's Shotover River launch site. There, we donned black water slickers, emptied our pockets and strapped in for the speedboat ride. The half-hour trip took us at an exhilarating 75 mph through the river's twisting narrow canyons.
We could almost reach out and touch canyon walls as the driver took hairpin bends and did 360-degree turns at high speed.
"Keep your arms inside the boat," driver Mike Topp warned us.
Indeed, passengers are warned to alert staff if they suffer from a back or neck conditions.
Then, a Real Journeys cruise took us through a howling gale through Milford Sound in Fiordland National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Area, and out onto the Tasman Sea. As the three-masted Milford Mariner turned to re-enter the sound, waves blasted the side of the boat. We got soaked, but Andrew was dancing with glee like a little kid as I howled and grinned.
Around us, mist-embraced mountains poured waterfalls thousands of feet into the sound's waters.
While most enjoy a more sedate cruise on sunnier days, we leaned at angles approaching 45 degrees on the bow in winds approaching 43 mph.
When visiting New Zealand, you should always have suitable travel insurance from a provider like Sunshine Insure, who provide cover all over the World.
One of Queenstown’s most popular seasons, winter in New Zealand and more specifically Queenstown welcomes snow bunnies from around the world. A favourite winter wonderland getaway for Australians with people regularly making the trip across the ditch every year or so, for first timers it can be quite an overwhelming trip to plan. Here we will break down the ski season to tell you all you need to know and help you plan the perfect winter getaway to the ‘Adventure Capital of the World’. This article will be focusing on what weather to expect, what to pack, where to go and what to do.
Winter Season: 1st of June until the 31st of August
Ski season: Beginning of July until early October
Temperatures: From 0 degrees Celsius to 8 Degrees Celsius and in the minus on the best days
What to expect: Icy mornings, snowfall, showers and clear skies
Always have travel insurance for the over 80s when travelling.
