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Top 5 Adventure Activities in North Island New Zealand

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There are so many adventure activities in New Zealand, but if you’re short on time and can only see the North Island here are my Top 5 adventure activities found in the North Island. I’ve based my decision for Top 5 Activities on overall value for money, and the scale of scariness.

Top 5 Adventure Activities NZ North Island

1) Skydive Taupo

Apart from jumping out of a pink plane, Skydive Taupo is well known for being the best place to jump in the North Island.

When jumping with Skydive Taupo, you will free-fall over some of the most amazing scenery that New Zealand has to offer. This includes amazing views of Lake Taupo (NZ’s largest lake), Tongariro National Park, Mt Ruapehu and the Bay of Plenty. The staff also appreciate the fact that some jumpers may be nervous and are willing to go the extra mile to make you feel at ease. You can personalise your jump DVD by choosing your own music and adding unique handy-cam and ground footage to make it a jump you will never forget.

Value for Money – 8/10

Scale of Scariness – 9/10

skydive new zealand

2) Auckland Harbour Bridge Bungy

The Auckland Harbour Bungy, run by AJ Hackett, is New Zealand’s only ocean touch bungy. It’s the only place in the world you can bungy and be dunked into the Pacific Ocean. At 40m, it is almost the same height as the original bungy off the Kawarau Bridge in Queenstown, but is $40 cheaper. If you’re lucky you may even be able to spot a whale or a dolphin while you’re up in the specially designed jump pod. They’re set up to offer a variety of different jumps including normal ankle tie, harness jump and tandem. Not to mention every jumper leaves with a free bungy jumper t-shirt and authentic certificate and with a 100% safety record why not give it a go?

Value for Money – 7/10 

Scale of Scariness – 8/10

auckland harbour bridge
Auckland Harbour Bridge

3) Kaitiaki Rafting

Kaitiaki Adventures, located in Rotorua on the Kaituna River, takes you down a Level 5 rafting trail, the highest grade available to the public in the world. What else needs to be said? It would be hard to find a more extreme activity to do while in a small raft, or trying to stay in, than being launched over a 7m waterfall one of three on the trail.

If rafting is not your thing, why not try sledging on a specially designed body board. The rafting run down the Kaituna takes around 45mins and the sledging is a 3 hour round trip. Along the way the crew make sure you feel completely safe and comfortable on the water. They also tell you the local Maori history behind the Kaituna River and the surrounding bushland area, along with how they, or their tribe, are personally connected to the river. The crew are fantastic and balance fun and safety to a tee.

Value for Money – 9/10

Scale of Scariness – 8/10

Kaitiaki Adventures Whitewater Rafting
Kaitiaki Adventures Whitewater Rafting

4) Waitomo Caving

Over 20 years ago now, Waitomo Adventures Ltd pioneered the fantastic underground world of the Waitomo Caves. They now have 6 amazing adventures available to the public. The trips range from wet to dry, glow worms or no glow worms and from 3 hours in duration to 7 hours, so there is an adventure for every type of person.

The original Lost World 7 hour Epic is the most full on caving experience. It includes a 100m abseil, river caving, swimming, climbing and lunch and a well earned BBQ dinner once you emerge from the cave. Other trips include black water rafting, flying fox inclusion and more glow worm spotting.

Everything you need is provided from wetsuits, gumboots, lights, helmets and specialist vertical gear; not forgetting exceptional guides who’ve been trained for the exact conditions of the caves.

As well as Waitomo Adventures you’ll also find the Blackwater Rafting company in Waitomo who also have some spectacular caving trips!

Value for Money – 7/10

Scale of Scariness – 6/10

waitomo adventures blackwater rafting
Waitomo Adventures blackwater rafting

5) Ogo

Take one 11 foot see-through ball, throw in some water (warm in winter, cool in summer), place the ball at the top of an enormous hill and roll down. Ride with a friend or two, with water or without for a unique and awesome experience. To describe what it feels like… it’s like a cross between a roller coaster and a water slide. Zorbing was invented in New Zealand and they’re still made and developed here. So why not test it out where it was made!

Value for Money – 8/10

Scale of Scariness – 6/10

best adventure activities in new zealand
Best Adventure Activities in New Zealand – Ogo (zorbing)

What would be your Top 5 Activities in North Island of New Zealand? Let me know!

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