NEW ZEALAND : TWO ISLANDS TO RULE THEM ALL
2023 ACTIVE & ADVENTURE | 41
Rugged , beautiful , inspiring — New Zealand has carved out a special place in the hearts of travelers worldwide . Across the country ’ s North and South islands , you can easily explore a mix of cosmopolitan cities , craggy mountain peaks , verdant vineyards , rushing waterfalls , quiet beaches and serene glacial sounds in just one visit . Adventures are easy to find here , and each one includes unforgettable encounters with some of the nicest , and quirkiest , locals you ’ ll ever meet . You may even bump into a hobbit in Hobbiton , just one of the many filming locations of Peter Jackson ’ s masterful Lord of the Rings movie trilogy . To give you a taste , here are the must-do activities that will get your adrenaline flowing when you visit kiwi country .
FIND THRILLS IN QUEENSTOWN
PHOTOS
TOP : PARAGLIDING OVER QUEENSTOWN
BOTTOM LEFT : BUNGEE JUMPING OFF THE KAWARAU BRIDGE
BOTTOM RIGHT : JET BOAT AT SHOTOVER RIVER
To be labeled “ the adventure capital of the world ,” Queenstown better have a wild mix of heart-racing activities on hand . Spoiler alert : It does . Not only will you find the usual assortment of outrageous undertakings , such as paragliding over the city and bungee jumping off the historic Kawarau Bridge — the original place bungee jumping was popularized — but the town also offers activities you may not have heard of .
For example , white-water sledging ( a . k . a . river boarding or river surfing ) is a unique way to tackle the wild Kawarau River . It ’ s like rafting , but you use a small bodyboard instead of a boat , getting tossed about the rapids with wondrous abandon . Add in freefalling for 200 feet while canyon swinging and shooting through gorges on a jet boat , and you ’ ll see that Queenstown is overflowing with thrills for those who seek excitement .
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