The Adrenaline Junkie’s Guide to South Island Road Trips

Exploring the South Island’s Road Trips

A South Island, New Zealand road trip is a dream for adventure seekers! Here’s a breakdown of the extreme sports and adventure activities you can access, emphasizing those easily reached by road:

Adrenaline-Fueled Activities:

• Bungy Jumping:
  • Queenstown is the bungy jumping capital! The Kawarau Bridge Bungy is the original commercial bungy jump.
  • There are also other bungy locations offering different heights and experiences.
• Skydiving:
  • Queenstown and Wanaka offer breathtaking skydiving experiences with views of mountains and lakes.
• Jet Boating:
  • The Shotover River in Queenstown provides thrilling jet boat rides through narrow canyons.
  • Many other rivers around the south island offer jet boating experiences.
• White Water Rafting:
  • The rivers of the South Island, especially around Queenstown, offer various levels of white water rafting.
• Canyoning:
  • Explore rivers and canyons by rappelling, jumping, and swimming.
• Heli-Skiing/Heli-Hiking:
  • While involving helicopters, these are very popular in the southern alps, and accessible from places like Wanaka and Queenstown.
• Off-Roading/4WD Tours:
  • Explore rugged terrain with 4WD tours, offering access to remote areas.

Other Adventure Activities:

• Hiking/Trekking:
  • The South Island is a hiker’s paradise, with numerous trails, including the famous Great Walks (e.g., Milford Track, Routeburn Track). Many trail heads are easily accessible by road.
• Mountain Biking:
  • World-class mountain biking trails are found throughout the South Island, with areas like Queenstown, Wanaka, and Nelson offering diverse terrain.
• Glacier Hiking/Ice Climbing:
  • Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers provide opportunities for guided glacier hikes and ice climbing.
• Kayaking/Canoeing:
  • Explore the fiords and lakes by kayak or canoe, with Milford Sound and the Marlborough Sounds being popular destinations.
• Wildlife Encounters:
  • Whale watching in Kaikoura.
  • Dolphin swimming and viewing in Akaroa.
  • Seal colony visits along the coast.

Road Trip Accessibility:

• A significant advantage of a South Island road trip is that many of these adventure hubs are connected by well-maintained roads.
• You can easily drive between Queenstown, Wanaka, Franz Josef, Kaikoura, and other key locations.
• This makes it easy to create an itenerary that maximizes the amount of adventure activities that you can participate in.

When planning your road trip, remember to:

• Book activities in advance, especially during peak season.
• Check weather conditions and be prepared for changes.
• Prioritize safety and use reputable tour operators.