10 Adrenaline Pumping Things in Queenstown

Let's get the blood flowing!

Planning a trip to Queenstown? Ever wondered why this amazing city is such a hit with thrill seekers? This is a list of 10 hair raising, eye popping adventures in New Zealand’s most popular tourist destination, and why it’s packed with the most adrenaline fueled activities — on land, water, and right up in the sky. The naturally exhilarating landscape will provide incredible views from any of these picks to suit your adrenaline needs, which makes this resort town the perfect spot for your next adventure.

1. Paragliding With GForce Paragliding

Want to fly high over Queenstown and see Lake Wakaptipu in all it’s gory? Look no further than an exhilarating tandem flight with GForce Paragliding for an experience that’s hard to beat. GForce is New Zealand`s largest and most experienced paragliding company

• Free GFORCE t shirt, cap or beanie when you book online (Direct bookings only) NZGFORCE.com

Prices range from $189 for the Early Bird Special (10am flight time) to $219 for other time slots.  The entire experience takes approximately an hour, with actual flight time ranging from 8 – 12 minutes.  A short walk up to the launch site is required along with a reasonable standard of fitness.

2. Skydiving With NZONE Skydive

It’s hard to admit, but this one scared me the most. Jumping out of a perfectly good Airplane was hard for me to wrap my head around. But once I arrived at NZONE Skydive, I started to feel a lot more comfortable beginning with their very professional staff, and ending with the most incredible tandem skydiving team.

New Zealand’s first Skydive operation NZONE has world leading skydive facilities, including the largest plane capacity in New Zealand.  Jump from 9,000, 12,000 or 15,000 feet above Queenstown and feel the exhilarating thrill of free falling, followed by blissfully parachuting back down to earth. 

Prices range from $299 up to $439 with freefall times increasing depending on your jump height.  Photo and video options are available at an extra cost, the perfect way to prove you actually did it!

3. Bungy Jumping With Nevis Bungy

Since Bungy jumping began in Queenstown, it’s only fitting that you check off this crazy activity off your list at Nevis Bungy because it features the highest jump in the southern hemisphere. The invention of the bungy has since transformed Queenstown from a sleepy town into its current-day buzzing self. Queenstown has plenty of options for bungy jumping, but if your going to make the leap, might as well go big! This is one activity that is not to be missed. Prices range from $160 – $275 for adults depending on your chosen jump, and include a completion certificate and T-Shirt.  Some age and weight restrictions apply.

4. Riversurfing With Serious Fun Riversurfing

Surfing is for the ocean right?  Well you are in for a surprise, Serious Fun Riversurfing have taken the popular ocean based sport and adapted it for Queenstown’s unique river based conditions.  Surf standing river waves, ride whirl pools, and conquer the rapids of the Kawarau River (featured in “The Lord of the Rings”).

At $219 per person riversurfing is perfect for those wanting to get up close and personal with the Kawarau River.  Don’t forget swimming gear and a towel, you will be on the river for approximately 1.5 to 2.5 hrs.

5. World’s Largest Swing With Nevis Swing

I must say after jumping out of a plane and doing the Nevis Bungy right across from this Nevis Swing, the swing was much easier to do. I guess I had just gotten the really crazy stuff out of the way already. Stretching across an ample 120 meters (394 feet), this swing is not only the world’s largest, it’s also the fastest. Daredevils who take up the Nevis Swing challenge will be led to a 70-meter (230 feet) suspension bridge before they reach an elevated launch pad. Once the harnesses are on, you’ll be released from the 160-meter (524-foot) deck, swinging towards the valley at a gushing 120 kilometers (75 miles) per hour.

Pricing is $220 for Adults, $170 for Children.

6. Jet Boat Ride With Skippers Canyon Jet

This jet boat ride with Skippers Canyon Jet was by far the most fun I had while in Queenstown. Experience unbeatable value as you are taken on a spectacular guided tour of Skippers Canyon followed by a thrilling jet boat ride through the narrowest canyons on the Shotover River. Take in the beautiful scenery while zooming up and down the river at incredible speeds and close encounters  with shear rock walls (not for the faint of heart). Just a short distance from Queenstown, but even the bus ride into the canyon is a thrill ride.

Skippers Canyon Jet is the must do jet boat trip in Queenstown.

Pricing is $159 for Adults, $85 for Children (discounts for families)

7. Whitewater Rafting With Challenge Rafting

Challenge Rafting operates a selection of thrilling whitewater rafting experiences on the Shotover and Kawarau Rivers in Queenstown.  Tackle the impressive grade 4-5 rapids and journey through a 170 meter (557 feet) long Oxenbridge Tunnel in complete darkness all while enjoying the superb scenic river surroundings.

You can experience these amazing whitewater rafting tours for just $219 per person. Don’t forget your swimming gear, snacks and a change of clothes, wetsuits are provided. Rafting is restricted to persons 13 years of age and over.

8. Ziplining With Ziptrek Ecotours

New Zealand’s number one original zipline guides, Ziptrek Ecotours provide an enjoyable guided journey whizzing along tree-to-tree ziplines while passing over native beech forest.  The tours include varying speeds and zipline lengths with the highest treetop platform sitting impressively at over 25 meters (82 feet)

Prices range from $135 up to $185 for adults and $85 to $135 for children (6-14 years).  Skyline Gondola tickets are extra and need to be purchased separately.  Closed-toe shoes are essential.

9. Dirt Biking With Off Road Adventures

Explore over 11,000 acres of Queenstown’s back country by motorbike with the team at Off Road Adventures. Ride your own dirt bike over the impressive hill climbs, creek crossings and tracks and trails near the stunning Kawarau Gorge.

The 1.5 hour High Country Trail Ride costs $289 per person, there are other ride options including Quad Bike tours, all rides tailored to suit the rider’s abilities. A minimum age of 16 years is applicable, and all motor bike gear (helmets, boots, goggles, gloves, pants & riding tops) are provided. Choose from a selection of 250cc bikes with an optional upgrade to 400 or 450 cc for an additional cost.

10. Fat Tyre Heli Biking With Heli Bike NZ

Enjoy a fantastic 15 minute scenic helicopter flight over the edge of the Remarkables mountain range and the isolated Nevis Valley to land at an altitude of 1700 meters and hit the trails on your fat tyre mountain bike all the way to the bottom.

This full day helibike option is $585 per person or there is a couple of other options available for $399 per person. Bike hire is not included in this tour price, full suspension bikes are available to hire at an additional $60 per person. This activity is seasonal and runs across the summer only due to the need to wait for the snow to melt.