Adrenaline

Spectacular from any angle, Franz Josef and Fox glaciers — two of the most accessible glaciers in the world — are a unique natural phenomenon: twin glaciers originating in the high Southern Alps and terminating near coastal rainforest and within sight of the Tasman Sea. This otherworldly landscape is at its most impressive on a close encounter. Guided heli-hiking tours can take you to a remote part of the glacier for an ice hike or on a more demanding ice climbing, overnight or multi-day mountaineering experience.

Beautiful blue waters, craggy canyons and rocky alpine waterways … West Coast rivers set the scene for exciting white water thrills. There’s an activity to fit a range of adrenaline levels, too, from gentle rafting and kayaking on easy grade rivers to extreme white water multi-day expeditions or high-speed jet boating. You’ll need to hang on tight as the jet boat 360-spins through the Buller Canyon, while the jet boat tours on the Haast River and Waiatoto River are a slower journey into otherwise hand-to-get-to World Heritage wilderness. River rafting tours— on the Buller, Grey and Waiau rivers — range from shorter family-friendly grade 2 to full scale grade 3 and 4 rafting adventures.

Landscape and climate make great mates on the West Coast when it comes to off-roading adventures. Muddy rainforest trails, glorious puddles, rocky river beds and steep slippery hillsides offer exciting terrain for off-road thrills and exploration. The views are pretty good too. Choose your ride from a range of self-drive quad bikes, off-road buggies or let the expert drive an ex-military Hagglund or a Unimog. Kitted up in gumboots, protective gear and safety helmets, the muddier the better.