The Adrenaline Junkies Essential Guide to Queenstown, New Zealand

Just flying into this city feels like you are on some sort of adventure ride at a theme park. After flying for what seems like forever over endless ocean views, the mountains surrounding Queenstown quickly force their way into view and as your plane hastily maneuvers itself toward the tiny landing strip you start to question if this is supposed to be happening - don't worry it is.

Queenstown, New Zealand is known as “the adventure capital of the world,” and for good reason. This little city seems to be bursting with adventure and excitement constantly. You could walk down the street at 3 AM and the city will still be pumping with energy. There are loads of crazy activities (and chill ones if you’re keen) to do in Queenstown, but there are always the few that stand out, the ones that make people nervous just inquiring about them, the ones that will send you straight to the bar after you’re finished. These are the most adventurous activities to do in Queenstown, think you can try them all?

Zip Line

Queenstown takes your everyday activity and turns it into some sort of crazy amped up version of itself. You can zip-line pretty much anywhere in the world, but here in Queenstown we have to make sure there's nothing else like it. Hop on the steepest cable car (skyline) in the Southern Hemisphere and you will arrive at Ziptrek which boasts the steepest zip-line in the world. If you want to make it to the steepest one you have to successfully complete the first 5 lines without chickening out, are you up for the challenge?

Skydive

There are many places in the world that you can go to skydive, but skydiving in Queenstown is truly one of a kind. If you are brave enough to take on the 15,000 foot jump you will be high enough to see sweeping views of each side of the South Island, The Remarkables Mountain Range, Queesntown's famous canyons, lakes, and rives, and so much more. Skydiving in New Zealand has been voted one of the best places in the world to skydive by Forbes and The Travel Channel and I’m sure by you once you get up there.

Bungy

Queenstown has a few options for bungys, and of course Queenstown is home to the highest bungy in New Zealand. The Nevis Bungy offers a whopping 8.5 second free-fall as you plummet into the Nevis Canyon. There is also the Kawarau Bungy where you drop toward the famous Kawarau River, you even have the option to get your head dunked. However, if you are looking for some city views you can head up the famous Skyline Gondola and freestyle off of The Ledge Bungy where you jump over the Queenstown skyline.

Canyon Swing

There are a few canyon swings in Queenstown, but of course the biggest swing in the world lives right here in good old Queenstown. You can head to AJ Hackett to tick “biggest swing in the world” off your bucket list or if you are more of a freestyle kinda person, check out the Canyon Swing where you can jump off a cliff in more than 70 different ways.

Jet Boat

Jet Boats are the most iconic thing to do in Queenstown, they were invented and perfected right here in New Zealand so of course you will find the best ones here. Queenstown boasts 5 jet boat rides, all completely unique to each other. They offer up some riveting rides down (and up) Queenstown's best rivers and lakes, and some magnificent views.

Canyon Fox

Looking for something really unique? Something you can only find in Queenstown? Well, look no more because the Canyon Fox is the only thing of its kind in the world. Some say it is half bungy half zip-line and some say it can’t really be explained. You start out strapped on a plank high above the famous Shotover Canyon, you have the option to be sent off by the crew or run off yourself if you’re brave enough. You plummet into the canyon but land into a zip-line and shoot across the canyon, then race on a double zip-line back to the start. The only way to truly understand it is to try for yourself.

Queenstown isn't only for the adventurous, of course you can take it easy, hop on a wine tour or do something scenic. The food and nightlife is some of the best in the South, helicopter rides around town are jaw dropping, and a dinner at the top of the gondola is a spectacular sight. There is something for everyone here, but this is a special place for the adventurous at heart, you will find you have everything you need right here in New Zealand.

* this article was originally written for Peterpans Adventure Travel, all opinions are my own.