BREATHE IN THE PACIFIC FRESH AIR
Slap on some sunscreen and get outside in proper Kiwi style with these eight outdoor activities that I experienced on New Zealand’s exhilarating North Island.
Raft the mighty Kaituna River:
While Rotorua Rafting’s excursions take place on the famously beautiful Kaituna River, the spectacular surroundings may not be the focus on participants’ minds. That’s because they’ll be busy bracing for their whitewater vessels to be dumped over the highest commercially raftable waterfall in the world. At seven metres high, the roaring Tutea Falls will be one of several natural roller coasters Rotorua Rafters will conquer while paddling with their team through the area’s tumultuous grade five rapids. Those on board can count on screaming, getting soaked and having one of the most memorable afternoons of their North Island trip.
Kayak to a volcanic island:
If you’re up for an adventure that combines action, history and exquisite offerings of the earth, then Auckland Sea Kayaks’ island tour is the experience for you. Participants will go on a scenic paddle from Auckland’s bustling shores to picturesque Motukorea Island, which boasts the best-preserved volcanoes in the area. Once there, kayakers will enjoy a light picnic before hiking to the island’s summit. Spectacular views are on offer, as well as glimpses into ancient Maori fortified villages, all described in great detail by a knowledgeable guide.
Take a load off by a lake:
You deserve a little pampering after all this activity, so why not melt away the day in the therapeutic outdoor waters of the Polynesian Spa at Lake Rotorua? There are 28 hot pools on offer, featuring geothermal waters that have a range of therapeutic and esthetic benefits. The spa’s many treatments are decadent: in particular, the mud wrap, which will leave your skin feeling silky for weeks. After soaking up the facility, enjoy a snooze on a heated lounge chair and catch a spectacular view of the lake ahead.
Rappel down a waterfall:
Thrill seekers and nature lovers alike won’t want to pass up on getting a soaking wet adrenalin rush courtesy of AWOL Canyoning Adventures. This abseiling adventure, set against the spectacular backdrop of the Waitakere Ranges’ volcanic rock valley, will see both amateur and experienced explorers climbing under showering waterfalls, crawling through caves, cannonballing into rock pools and coasting down ice-cold waterslides. Wetsuits and snacks are offered, as well as a thorough pretrip training session provided by an enthusiastic and experienced guide.
Sail an America’s Cup racing yacht:
With Auckland claiming the highest ratio of people to boats in the world, you’d be silly to miss a chance to sail one of the city’s famous America’s Cup racing yachts courtesy of Explore Group. These vessels are sleek, sturdy and ready to move fast, but won’t get going without you taking the helm and giving your all on the grinders. With the help of enthusiastic young staff, you’ll quickly feel part of the crew while whipping along Waitemata Harbour in a craft that was actually used in the world’s most prestigious sailing regatta.
Hike with a little help from your friends:
The motto at Awesome Walks is “you do the walk, we’ll do the work” and, considering this company’s novel camp-out concept, any adventurer will be inspired to push further down the path. With the help of Awesome’s owners, hikers will map out a route in the heart of the Waitakere Ranges and will have a lavish campervan delivered to them at their daily destination. The mobile homes come complete with fresh sheets, a hot shower, a gourmet meal and the hiker’s gear inside. Indulgent perhaps, but after a tough New Zealand trek, don’t you deserve a moment of decadence?
Go on a geothermal jaunt:
It may not be the prettiest, nor the most pleasant to smell, but Hells Gate geothermal park is a destination that can’t be missed when travelling in Rotorua. The Maori-owned valley boasts some of the fiercest geothermal activity in the world, and has been treasured for the last 700 years by the country’s first peoples as a place of great healing and revitalization. Visitors can participate in a fascinating 1- 1⁄2- hour guided walk through the area, hearing the history and legends of the otherworldly landscape as well learning about its great geological significance.
Walk through the place where it all began:
A day pass to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds in the Northland region grants you a hike with a lot of history. This is New Zealand’s premier historic site where, in 1840, the country’s most significant document, the Treaty of Waitangi, was signed. The property is expansive and beautiful and visitors to the grounds will be treated to cultural performances and learn the meanings behind various Maori practices. The spectacular views over the Bay of Islands don’t hurt either.