The Top 10 Things To Do On Vacation In New Zealand

The Top 10 Things to do on Vacation in New Zealand

You just booked your flight to New Zealand and now you're planning your excursions. Are you stuck on what to do or where to go? We have got you covered. Considering there is so much to do and explore, we have narrowed it down to the top things you should do on vacation there.

*Related: The Best Places to Travel for Extreme Sports

Regardless to if you are looking for peace and relaxation or adrenaline pumping fun, there is something for you on this list. Navigate your way through the beautiful water in Milford Sound, visit Hot Water Beach and dig your own hot pool right in the sand and relax, bungee jump The Nevis in Queenstown – one of the most terrifying bungee jumps in the world, go camping in their national parks, and make sure you visit the slowly melting, Franz Josef Glacier.

If that's not enough, continue reading for more of the top things you should do on vacation in New Zealand.

Visit Milford Sound

Mildford Sound has a ton of fall inspirational activities to embark on. Visit Fiordland National Park to see incredible ice-carved fiords, lakes, rugged mountain tops and valleys. Go hiking on diverse terrain and explore the incredible wilderness. Other things to do in Milford Sound include kayaking and navigating your way through the beautiful water – make sure to look out for penguins, dolphins, whales and waterfalls.

Tongariro National Park

Tongariro National Park is one of New Zealand's oldest national parks and also a World Heritage area. You are going to want to save an entire day for this park; there are tons of outdoor adventures to embark on. Go mountain biking, hiking, climbing, skiing and stay the night if you would like at one of their incredible campsites.

Visit Hot Water Beach

[Related: The Planet's Best Hot Springs] Hot Water Beach is a unique destination in New Zealand. Unlike many other hot springs, this beach allows you to dig your own hot pool right through the sand by the Pacific Ocean. Bonus: Hot Water Beach is also a great surfing destination.

Fiordland National Park

This national park was established in 1952, it is comprised of mountains, lakes, rainforests and incredible ice-carved fiords. Go there to experience their variety of habitats – flora and fauna, birds and fish, just to name a few. Soak up its beautiful scenery from a mountain top and embark on one of their three world class Great Walks tracks – Kepler Track, Routeburn Track and Milford Track.

Go Bungee Jumping

Embark on an exhilarating experience – go bungee jumping off the Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge. Or if you are really up for an adrenaline rush, take on one of the most terrifying bungee jumps in the world – The Nevis in Queenstown. It's located 134m above the Nevis River and is known as the highest bungee in New Zealand. It's terrifying right from the start. Start your journey in a van up a narrow, scenic mountain road. Then make your way to the AJ Hackett Bungee New Zealand Jump spot, strap up, and enjoy an 8.5 second free fall into a canyon.

Swim with Dolphins

Kaikoura is known as one of the most "picturesque places in New Zealand." It is popular due to its variety of marine life, but specifically visited for Dolphin Encounter. Swim with the dusky dolphins or watch them in their natural environment. "Dusky dolphins are renowned for their acrobatic leaps and interactive behavior," says dolphin encounter.

Go Black Water Rafting

[Related: The Most Thrilling Places to go Whitewater Rafting] I'm sure we have all heard about the excitement whitewater rafting brings, but what if I told you New Zealand brings the thills to a whole new level. Go on a black water rafting tour through Waitomo's myriad limestone caves. There are tons of tours to choose from, but one of the most popular includes The Legendary Black Water Rafting Co. – New Zealand's first ever black water rafting adventure operator. It is the only tour that takes you through the spectacular Ruakuri Cave.

Go Skydiving in Fox Glacier

[Related: World's 10 Best Places to go Skydiving] Skydive at Fox Glacier for stunning views of rainforests, lakes, mountains, glaciers, snowfields and the Tasman Sea. See the beautiful Westland National Park from the sky. Choose from your choice of a 9,000 ft. jump with a 30 second freefall, a 13,000 ft. jump with a 50 second freefall or a 16,500 ft. jump with a 65 second freefall.

http://skydivefox.co.nz/

Surf at Raglan

Raglan is one of the most popular surfing destinations in New Zealand and it offers some of the most incredible scenery. It is said that individuals should have the required level of skill to take on the waves. But the good news is that if you are not confident enough to take them on, you can take surf lessons with the Raglan Surf School.

Visit the Franz Josef Glacier

The 7.5-mile long Franz Josef Glacier starts in the Southern Alps and ends in Westland Tai Poutini National Park. You are going to want to get out there and visit it soon. Due to high temperatures, the glacier has been losing ice over the years. Overtime, the glacier has melted so much that no one can walk up the valley and climb the face of the glacier. You will have to be flown to the ice via helicopter.