New southern thrill is one of the best

I always thought the best view of the mountains in New Zealand was from a plane. But, it’s hard to beat this.

I’m rocketing through the air at around 50kph, a few hundred metres above the ground. On one side, you can see the sharp, snow-dusted peaks of the Kaikōura Ranges glistening under the sun. On the other, there’s the sandy shores of Gooch Bay, full of marine life.

Welcome to New Zealand’s newest zipline. Having done most of the ziplines the country offers, I can confidently say this is among the best. It has more than 2.2km of lines crisscrossing the foothills of the Kaikōura Ranges.

EcoZip Adventures Kaikōura is the brainchild of Gavin Oliver, who is behind the wildly successful zipline on Waiheke Island. The Auckland operation has just three ziplines, but Gavin has let loose in Kaikōura, creating his dream course that crosses multiple hilltops and has more than 2km of ziplines to travel down.

The tour starts with a quick safety demonstration at their Kaikōura Airport base before boarding a hulking Unimog — a giant army truck. It soon becomes apparent why one is needed.

The truck heads to the 1200ha Rakanui Station, where it weaves through rivers and then dramatically ascends the side of a mountain — with a series of tight turns.

As you near the top, the full view of the Kaikōura Ranges appears, which quickly makes you realise two things: how beautiful New Zealand is and how high you are.

The Unimog ride is so good that it could be an attraction in itself. But we’re only just getting started.

After a peaceful nature walk — with plenty of photo opportunities — we strap into our first zipline called Callaghan’s Mahi. It’s named after Tim Callaghan, the key figure in building this remarkable course.

This first zip is 442m, almost half the length of the Auckland Harbour Bridge, so it’s a big moment for those who are a little anxious.

By the end of your first ride, two things have happened: you’re addicted to ziplining, and you now realise it’s very safe.

The technology, especially the automated braking, is impressive.

The remaining four ziplines zigzag around hilltops, with the longest at 613m. Each zip is a twin-line, so you can share the experience side-by-side with someone racing you down.

Kaikōura is famous for its marine life, but now there’s another world-class reason to visit — and you just need to look up to find it.

BROOK SABIN You can reach more than 50kmh.