Unique New Zealand South Island Attractions

1. Aoraki Balloon Safaris - hot air ballooning in SouthThe Wanaka Transport and Toy museum will surprise
Canterburyand delight, with something for everyone.
Hot Air Ballooning is the air adventure giving you a6. Wauraurahiri Jet - jet boating in Southland
tranquil and majestic flight, which no other aircraftWairaurahiri Jet takes you into the Southern end of
can offer. It is the ultimate adventure, touched withFiordland National park. We set off from Lake
serenity and romance. Beginning with theHauroko crossing the lower part of New Zealand's
awe-inspiring balloon inflation, your sedate anddeepest lake then it's down the wild, grade three
mystical flight unfolds.rock strewn rapids of the Wairaurahiri River to the
The Flightsea.
Flights are generally flown around day-break, when airOur trip passes through beautiful unmodified
conditions are traditionally clear, calm, cool and stable.Podocarp forests. We have a short guided nature
Having met at dawn, you will be driven in our 4-wheelwalk along the way.
drive vehicles to a suitable launch site chosen by oneOnce we are at the sea we set you off to explore
of our very experienced New Zealand licenced pilots.the rugged South Coast while we cook your delicious
Following a detailed flight briefing, you will then bekiwi style BBQ lunch. After lunch it's back on board
invited to assist the pilot and crew to prepare thefor the return journey up the river across the lake
balloon for flight. Once aboard the wicker basket,back to the departure point. We also involve our
your magical flight begins. The launch is so gentle youguests with our own conservation project protecting
will hardly realise you have left the ground. Theour native bird.
peace and gentleness of ballooning will surprise you7. Maniototo Curling International Ltd - iconic New
and Methven flight views are unsurpassable. As youZealand activity in Central Otago
drift along with the breeze, the scenery slowlyThe township of Naseby in the Maniototo, Central
changes until, after approximately an hour in the air, itOtago, has become the country's curling capital with
is time to land.the completion of New Zealand's first International
The successful completion of the flight is celebratedand Olympic standard indoor curling rink. (Currently
with a champagne-styled buffet breakfast, as a picnicthe only dedicated indoor curling rink in the Southern
in the field, generally served by a suitably attiredHemisphere.)
waiter with a silver tray. You will also receive a flightThis new facility is attracting additional New Zealand
certificate.and new international curling tournaments to Central
What a way to end a fantastic adventure!Otago, an area already synonymous with curling.
2. On Yer Bike! - 4wd in the West CoastCurling worldwide has enjoyed remarkable growth
Set amidst a backdrop of lush West Coast rainforestsince it achieved full Olympic status in Nagano in 1998.
near Greymouth, brace yourself for the New ZealandSituated in the alpine village of Naseby, only 15kms
Off Road adventure of a lifetime with On Yer Bike!from the Central Otago Rail Trail, this is the perfect
At On Yer Bike! our tracks are a magical mix of mud,activity for people who are at the midway point of
water and narrow, winding trails. You'll enjoy the thrilltheir journey along the trail.
of navigating one of our 4WD motorbikes across8. Driftwood Eco-Tours - ecotours in Marlborough
rivers, through copious amounts of our famous mudNew Zealand bird watching and eco-tours.
and through puddles that resemble small lakes!The tidal estuary of Wairau Lagoon in Marlborough is
There are plenty of photo opportunities at the manyhome to more than 90 different kinds of birds. Royal
beautiful spots in the forest. You'll see tall nativeSpoonbill, Black Fronted Tern and Bar-tailed Godwit
trees, birdlife, views of the valley and maybe someare among the thousands that flock here, and it's
wild deer tracks. You can even purchase a CD ofeasy to see why.
Photographs of your muddy adventure to keep as aThe light is always changing on these peaceful
memento of your time with On Yer Bike!waters, there's no one around and the food's great.
On Yer Bike Adventures is now home to theDriftwood Eco-tours offers you the same
Hagglund! - This is the most extreme way to getexperience.
off-road on the wild West Coast.You can choose from the following:
3. Ziptrek Ecotours - ecotours in Queenstown- Full-day tours to catch the best time for bird
The best framed views of Lake Wakatipu can bewatching and photography
experienced on an interpretive guided tour using- Access to private land - you have the place to
flying foxes as low impact adventure access. Join usyourself
on a series of lines that traverse the forest in a way- Tours tailored to your interests and you set the
that will never be forgotten. This tour is perfect forpace
families, groups and those who have never ziplined- Small groups - you or you and your party will enjoy
before.individual guiding
Come join us on our exhilarating zipline (flying fox)- Homemade picnics and fine wine from the gourmet
adventure above spectacular Queentown! Ride upprovince
the Skyline Gondola and then glide through the- Multi day bird watching tours on request
treetops on a series of flying foxes. Your9. Cape Farewell Horse Treks - horse riding in the
experienced guides will deliver an interpretive tour asNelson and Tasman region
you "Zzziiiiiip" from tree to tree. Breath in some"Don and I reckon we live in the most beautiful place
pristine mountain air as you venture on a carefullyin New Zealand. We were lucky enough to have
crafted journey that combines exhilaration,bought our farm some 17 years ago. We began life
adventure, and ecological exploration.at Puponga with a "bull beef unit" (cattle), but moved
4. Rosco's Milford Kayaks - kayaking in Fiordlandonto the horse trekking a couple of years later. It is
Find out for yourself why Lonely Planet has rateda very family-orientated business, and our main focus
sea kayaking as THE best way to see Milford Sound.is on having a great time and giving people a chance
Rosco's Milford Kayaks is New Zealand's longestto live their dreams, something we Kiwis don't
established owner operated sea kayaking business.realise...that we are so lucky to live here."
This is experience you can count on so relax, choose"Don and I still get a real buzz out of watching a rider
a trip that suits you and enjoy seeing the real Milfordwho has waited a lifetime to gallop down Wharariki
Sound up close and personal from a sea kayak.Beach. The feeling is just 'bloody awesome'".
Rosco's Winter Kayaking Experience is simply superb!!"We are, I guess, very proud Kiwis. We reckon we
You can expect:live in the best place in the world. We love the
- More settled weather conditions usually result inlifestyle we've created and have the ultimate job."
very calm water - ideal for exploring Milford from a"We look forward to meeting you, and showing you
sea kayak.our corner of New Zealand."
- Less crowds make winter the premium time to visit10. Norwest Underworld Adventures - ecotours in the
Milford.West Coast
- More wildlife frequent Milford during the winterUnderworld Rafting & The GlowWorm Cave Tours
months. Seals, dolphins and penguins can often beare adventures in one of NZ's largest unmodified
viewed from your sea kayak.Cave Systems complete with spectacular Stalactites
- Less motor boats cruising Milford. More peace and& Stalagmites creations & galaxies of GlowWorms
tranquillity - just the splash of our paddles.that are unequalled on this planet. Adventure Caving
- More photo opportunities often mirror likeis a full-on exploration style activity in a superb sporty
reflections of famous icons like mile high Mitre Peak.active water cave complete with abseils, climbs,
- Less sandflies and usually none at all. Makes yourcrawls and squeezes.
day in paradise even more enjoyable.Underworld Rafting - Is our premier activity & the
5. Wanaka Transport and Toy Museum - museum inone for which we developed our international
Wanakareputation. Underworld Rafting is a very special Cave
With a unique and fascinating collection that hasRafting adventure where you explore the formation
grown to over 30,000 items, the Wanaka Transportfilled upper levels before meeting the underground
and Toy Museum is one of the largest privatelake to float beneath the most amazing displays of
displays in the Southern Hemisphere.GlowWorms. You complete the journey having fun
It is an enormously varied collection which hasbouncing down the Nile River Rapids. This is a soft
children's toys including a huge range of Barbie dolls,eco-adventure suited to those with confidence in
unusual motor-cycles and rare cars, trucks,water, 10 and over. Allow 4hrs.
ambulances, military vehicles, fire engines and aircraft.