Top North Island Extreme Sports - page 3

Experience the elation of Rangitaiki River whitewater rafting over Grade III and IV rapids on this half-day adventure for physically active participants. You’ll bounce over whirling white water on a thrilling run through the stunning river valley, including a section of flat water where you can relax before lunch and a hot shower. Includes gear, paddling instruction, and hotel pickup and drop-off from Rotorua.

Located just five minutes from downtown Rotorua, the Whakarewarewa Forest features 100 miles (160 km) of twisting mountain bike trails. Book your bike hire for a half-day ride through this redwood terrain, considered one of the region’s top trail networks. You’ll find a variety of paths for all abilities on this self-guided bike tour.

Enjoy a private half-day sightseeing tour of the Bay of Islands region led by a knowledgeable guide. Personalize the itinerary with options including historical sites like the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, The Stone Store and Kemp House in Kerikeri, and Russell — where Europeans first settled in New Zealand. See St Paul's Anglican Church in Paihia, learn about Maori culture at Rewa‘s Village, and admire natural attractions including marine wildlife, Haruru Falls and Rainbow Falls. Or check out wineries and gourmet shops with handmade treats, fine wine and fresh seafood.

Take a scenic excursion through the New Zealand wilderness on this 3-hour white-water sledging adventure from Rotorua. Listen as a guide explains the challenges ahead, then — with your helmet and life vest clipped on — take to the Okere River on your floating sledge. Twist and turn through swirling river rapids, float gracefully along relaxing flats, and admire views over the mighty Kahikatea Forest. This family-friendly tour is suitable for thrill-seekers of all ages and skill levels.

Get away from the tourist crowds and explore the Bay of Plenty in a variety of ways with this combo ticket. Drive a four-wheel-drive buggy through dense native bush, ride a horse through the sprawling countryside, and shoot a few clay pigeons – all in an action-packed morning or afternoon. Ride down centuries-old forestry trails to isolated, hard-to-access locations with spectacular views of Lake Rotorua, Mokoia Island and the rest of the region.

During this tour you will experience an encounter with mighty prehistoric giants that only a couple of centuries ago dominated the vast forests of the North Island of New Zealand. You will see amazing Kauri – our bewitching giants... ... and tiny and defenseless glow warms which bring to the darkness of the underground caves a mysterious bluish glow of an endless starry sky…

Get out of Wellington city for the day and enjoy the rural atmosphere of Martinborough and the South Wairarapa wine country on this full-day wineries tour. Over the day you’ll visit four wineries and enjoy tastings at each, plus a delicious lunch at one. The tour is private and customizable so you can request in advance any specific wineries you may want to visit.

See and do exactly what you want on a private full-day tour of the Kapiti Coast. Choose your own sights and activities from several suggestions, so every member of your group is satisfied. Spend time on the beaches at Plimmerton and Paraparaumu, enjoy the views from the Paekakariki Hill Road Lookout, and sample sweet treats at the Kapiti Chocolate Factory, among other options. All entry fees are included.

Sip your way around Martinborough — a once sleepy colonial town that’s now a prominent wine village at the heart of the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail — on this private day trip from Wellington. Following hotel or port pickup and a scenic drive through the Wairarapa, you’ll visit three of Martinborough’s renowned wineries. Enjoy a guided wine tasting at each and a lunch platter with wine at Poppies Martinborough. Then, choose to continue hopping around Martinborough’s wineries or travel to nearby Greytown, whose pretty streets are thronged with cafes and antique stores.

This private tour ensures visitors their own dedicated driver/guide for the entirety of the experience. This tour captures the best of Wellington, including scenic drives of the bays; a visit to the famous Weta Cave and Workshop; a variety of memorials and monuments; the Parliament buildings; and Old St. Paul’s Cathedral. This tour is filled with history and culture.

Take a private two-seater buggy to one of the highest lookouts in the Rotorua region on this short forest adventure. Instead of hiking up the hills and working up a sweat, enjoy a wild ride to the top behind the wheel of a four-wheel-drive buggy. Your certified guide will drive you half the way there, but you can drive the rest of the way, navigating rugged, hundred-year-old forestry tracks cut into the dense Bay of Plenty forest.

Kids and adults alike will enjoy this family-friendly rafting trip down Te Awa Kairangi (the Hutt River). After donning the necessary safety gear and listening to a safety briefing, raft down a mellow section of the river, with small rapids and gentle stretches. Admire the views along the way. If anyone in the family is feeling brave, you can jump from rocks and go for a swim.

Enjoy a 7-hour private tour from Wellington to the South Wairarapa and Martinborough. Visit a chocolate factory, olive oil press and honey factory. Savor a platter lunch at one of the wineries we visit and local cheese and craft beer tastings. On the way back to Wellington, take in views from the Remutaka ranges.

Learn about vibrant Māori culture on this half day experience in Mourea, Ngāti Pikiao. Discover the heart of Aotearoa, admire stunning views and travel in a luxury 4WD on this guided tour. Start at the Rotorua Museum to gain historic context on the region. Travel to a local whenua. Learn the stories of whānau and immerse yourself in the spiritual essence of this land, home to Māori for generations.

Western Bay Scenic 2 Day Mountain Biking Tour Ride the Great Lake Trail on this 2-day Grade 3 mountain biking tour, a perfect way to enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the Great Lake Taupo region. You will be biking the 19.5 km Kawakawa section (Orakau & K2K) on Day 1 and the 21km W2K section on Day 2. The Great Lake Trail is one of the most popular trails of the New Zealand Cycle Trail network. You will be riding along undulating pumice trails through native forest and wetlands, where the landscape unfolds to reveal stunning views across the water to the majestic volcanic mountains of the Tongariro National Park. Dramatic scenery combines with serene lake views, powerful waterfalls, native bird song and incredible trail quality to deliver an unforgettable experience.

The Bay of Islands encompasses 140 small, mostly undeveloped islands surrounding North Island. Explore a few highlights on this half-day tour with a local guide. Visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, the site of the first treaty between British settlers and the indigenous Maori people. You’ll also visit Haruru Falls, Kemp House, Rainbow Falls, Rewa‘s Village, the Stone Store, St. James’ Anglican Church, and more.

Escape from Wellington for the day on this private fully-day tour of the beautiful Kapiti Coast. Enjoy a variety of sights and attractions to suit your needs and interests, including the views from Paekakariki Hill, the Nga Manu Wildlife Centre, and the Tuatara Brewery. This is an ideal tour for travelers short on time in the Wellington region who want to explore beyond the city.

New Zealand’s well known for adventure tourism, but it can be difficult to find exciting locations that are fun for the whole family. Adrenalin Forest solves that problem – located in the heart of the Bay of Plenty, surrounded by pine forest and native ferns, it has over 100 challenges ranging from the child-friendly to the ultra-challenging. Book in advance to avoid getting shut out by group bookings.

Explore one of New Zealand’s finest forest trails on this 7-hour hiking tour in the Whirinaki Forest from Rotorua. Travel from your accommodation in Rotorua into the Whirinaki Forest, widely considered among the world’s greatest rainforests. Follow your guide along hiking trails beneath the leafy canopy and marvel at mighty native trees such as ‘kahikatea’, ‘matai’, ‘miro’, ‘rimu’ and ‘totara’. Along the way, discover rich flora and fauna for which the forest is famous, and hear birdsong from the many different species of birds flying among the branches above.

See the summery Bay of Plenty from a different perspective – as you’re freefalling from 10,000 feet in the air! It doesn’t matter if you’re a first-time skydiver: on this tandem skydive, learn as you go as you fall with your instructor, who takes the lead and offers personalized guidance when you want to take over. Enjoy bird’s-eye views of local landmarks, from Maunganui and White Island close by to the Rotorua Lakes, Mount Ruapehu and, if the visibility’s good, even Mount Taranaki.

Adventurous travelers will love the chance to white-water raft down a 7-mile (11 kilometer) stretch of the Rangitikei River with 10 major–and many more minor–rapids. Be prepared to paddle hard and to work as part of a team to navigate your way through grade 5 rapids, with the help of a knowledgeable guide. Enjoy incredible views from the river that can’t be accessed any other way.

Thrill seekers will love this underground caving adventure through the iconic Waitomo Caves. Discover a unique underground river network through the caves. Journey by abseiling, tubing, caving, rafting and flying fox - a true adrenaline-filled adventure. Get out of your comfort zone and try something new - all skill-levels welcome on this black water rafting tour. Explore the beautiful, atmospheric caves lit by hundreds of glowworms.

Your tour is your tour only! No mixed groups! You get to have your own dedicated Driver/Guide and 'Memory Creator' for your entire tour. Enjoy a 7 hour private tour capturing the best tastes Leed Street Wellington and beyond has to offer.