New Zealand’s green, outdoorsy image is certainly accurate: we are a country that loves the outdoors. There is a great emphasis placed on our wildlife, land and environment. It plays a role in just about everything, from agriculture and livestock to our tourism and travel industry. If you’re planning a visit to Aotearoa, there’s plenty to see and do outside. Escape the cities with a rental car and check out the back roads, native jungle, lakes and beaches that define us.
swim with the dolphins
Take a trip with Dolphin Watch Ecotours and experience what many people come to the country solely to do. Head out with your experienced crew on a cruise to find and swim with the dolphins that inhabit the local waters. Dusky bottlenose dolphin and the rare Hector’s dolphin are commonly sighted around Marlborough. Once you’ve found a pod of dolphins, the staff will prepare you for a swim and help you get into the water. As the only dolphin tour operator in Picton and with excellent success rates, you won’t be sharing the water with forty people or worrying about not seeing anything at all. Find Dolphin Watch Ecotours on Wellington Street in the Picton Foreshore.
wai-o-tapu
Famous for its smell of eggs and the number of luxurious resorts and day spas, Rotorua is a wonder country due to the thermal activity that bubbles below the city. The most spectacular visit in Sulpher City on the North Island is Wai-O-Tapu, a geyser park where visitors can explore some of the wonders that nature has created over thousands of years. Get up close to the thermal activity in the hot spring area and see the Lady Knox Geyser shooting 20 meters into the air on the Waiotapu Loop Road off State Highway 5.
whale watching
Kaikoura is known throughout the country for its whale watching trips that have become synonymous with the small town. Whale Watch Kaikoura runs tours three times a day, year-round, to look for birds and marine life, as well as sperm whales. Experienced guides will narrate the area on your trip, and their modern whale-watching boats are purpose-built to give you the best view. You can find Whale Watching Kaikoura at the Whaleway Station on Whaleway Road.
Ski and Snowboard
During the winter, New Zealand attracts thousands of excited snow bunnies from all over the world in search of the best snow and mountains. Fantastic ski fields dot the country for anyone looking to run down the mountain. If you love snow, you’ll find the best of it in New Zealand and if you’ve never donned a pair of skis or a board before, your visit is the perfect time to do so. Check out Coronet Peak and The Remarkables in Queenstown, Mt. Hutt and Porter Heights near Christchurch and Mt. Ruapehu near Taupo. There is no better way to experience one of nature’s extremes.
Banks Peninsula Walk
The two- and four-day walks around the outer bays of the Banks Peninsula are among the country’s most acclaimed eco-activities to partake in. You’ll explore the best of native New Zealand, spot wildlife like penguins, dolphins and birds, and enjoy comfortable accommodation at the end of each day. The track is private and self-guided with information provided to you once you’ve made your booking – the Banks Peninsula walk has become a staple experience for tourists in the country. Contact the Banks Peninsula Track Company and arrange your walking trip.
Move
It may be small, but New Zealand is widespread. There is plenty to do in each region and even more in between – if you are booking a holiday then having your own transport is a must. Rental cars in New Zealand are the best way to get around; You won’t have to worry about booking trains and public transport, expensive taxi rides or how to get to places that don’t have regular visitors. Just hop on and go on your own adventure however you want to enjoy it.