Top Ten Places to Play

1. Queenstown
Although it has become increasingly commercialised over the past twenty years there is still no doubt that Queenstown is the adventure capital of New Zealand. The sheer volume of different activities available close by make it a paradise for those looking to voluntarily bring about heart palpitations or experience awe inspiring scenery.
Although generally quite pricey there is a wide range of adventure tourism activities available such as skydiving, jet boating, skiing, river surfing and mountain biking. Queenstown is the gateway to Fiordland National Park and some of the best tramping in the world. This spring/summer we recommend taking the approximate five-hour drive from Queenstown over to the Milford Sound. The best way to experience the Milford Sound is by kayak to really get up close to the dolphins and seals that frequent the area.

2. Tutukaka, Bay of Islands
This waterfront town is the gateway to the Poor Knights islands and some of the best diving, snorkelling and fishing in the world. If you're a bit of a water baby then this is where you should be heading this spring/summer as diving, snorkelling, kayaking and sailing are the top activities in Tutukaka. Make your own rules here, hire a kayak and head out to a semi-tropical island to bask in the sun, don your snorkel to experience the prolific underwater life. Or you can take a short 3 1/2 hour drive to the top of the country and witness the ongoing collision of the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean at Cape Reinga. We recommend taking a guided diving/snorkelling trip to fully experience the beauty of the Poor Knights.

3. Nelson, Tasman
When searching for a destination packed with outdoor summer adventure activities Nelson must be on the to-do list. Nelson may not have a huge array of options available in the City itself but within an hours drive are arguably the best kayaking and tramping spots New Zealand has to offer. An hour to the east are the world famous Marlborough Sounds and the Queen Charlotte tramping track. Sailing and kayaking in this area is a must-do. Also a visit to one of the many islands is a good idea to try and escape the flocking crowds.
30mins to the west of Nelson is Abel Tasman National Park; this is heralded as the best sea kayaking location in New Zealand. Featuring golden beaches, hidden blue bays, dolphins and seals it is an adventurers dream. We recommend a multi day kayaking trip in Abel Tasman National Park or head over to Kahurangi National Park to experience the Heaphy Great Walk, 86km 4-6 days.

4. Halfmoon Bay, Stewart Island
Captain Cook's botanist, Joseph Banks once wrote of New Zealand shores: "I was awak'd by the singing of the birds ashore from whence we are distant not a quarter of a mile. Their voices were certainly the most melodious wild music I have ever heard, almost imitating small bells but with the most tuneable silver sound imaginable..."
220 years later this dawn chorus is all but lost, however, a visit to Stewart Island will take you as close as possible to experiencing the prolific bird life Banks spoke of.  Featuring towering emerald-green rainforests, high granite peaks, white sandy shores, and deep inlets and coves. The park teems with wildlife and has the largest and most diverse bird population in New Zealand. Most of the island is made up of the 157,000 hectare Rakiura National Park which offers one of New Zealand's great walks and awesome kayaking options. Spot a kiwi, feel the serenity.

5. Whakapapa Village, Tongariro
The gateway to the World Renowned Tongariro National Park, Whakapapa is an adventure town first and foremost. The unique landscape of this area is the highlight with the three volcanoes Ngauruhoe, Tongariro and Ruapehu prominent. Activities available range from the best skiing in the North Island in winter to one of the best one-day hikes in New Zealand in summer - the Tongariro Crossing. Or if you're keen for a full on tramp then the Tongariro Northern Circuit is one of New Zealand's great walks and is world class, 3-4 days. The area also offers rafting and kayaking so is a great destination this summer. We recommend taking a day to walk the Tongariro Crossing, a must-do for all kiwis and travellers alike.

6. Aoraki Mt Cook Village
Although this is more of a village than a 'town' we feel it is worthy of this list. Aoraki, Mt Cook is the highest point in Australasia at 3,754 metres and on a fine day is an absolutely magnificent sight. With numerous hikes available in the area you can choose a difficulty level from easy to extreme in order to decide how you wish to experience the mountain and Hooker Glacier. Also nearby are lakes Pukaki and Tekapo. Due to the glacial water fed into these lakes they are a surreal blue that you won't soon forget. We recommend camping by Lake Pukaki and taking an early morning plunge, let's just say it's "refreshing".

7. Rotorua, Bay of Plenty
Once you overcome the sulphurous smell of this adventure city you'll be amazed by the variety of different activities on offer. In some ways Rotorua is following a similar vein to Queenstown in that it is more focused on tourist activities, which can make quite a dent in the wallet. These include activities like rafting, zorbing and mountain biking and although they may be pricey they are certainly worth trying at least once. However in saying this, Rotorua is also home to many more 'wallet friendly' activities. One example of this is the magnificent Urewera National Park - the biggest piece of native forest in the North Island. We recommend taking the 2 1/2 hour drive from Rotorua to the heart of the Ureweras, Lake Waikaremoana. A place of serene beauty and maintains an untouched feel, hire a kayak, try the four day great walk or take advantage of some of New Zealand's best trout fishing.

8. Kaikoura, Southern Marlborough
Commonly referred to as New Zealand's foremost marine destination, Kaikoura boasts some of the best whale watching in the world. Certainly not to be considered 'hard' adventure, the focus here is the conservation of marine life and it should still be considered as a must do for anyone interested in the outdoors. However whale watching isn't all that's on offer in Kaikoura, you can also visit a seal colony, swim with dolphins or tramp up the nearby Kaikoura Ranges. Also within a two hour drive is Hanmer Springs which offers some of the country's best rafting and kayaking rivers. We recommend snorkelling with the Dusky dolphins in Kaikoura and getting up close to some of the world's largest mammals on a whale-watching trip.

9. Waitomo, Waikato
From above ground this seems like any ordinary New Zealand country town with sheep and trees blanketing the rolling paddocks. However, this small town guards a secret underground world. A dark, subterranean world of limestone formations and a galaxy of living lights await you as you leave the sunlight behind and journey down into a network of underground caves. The caving options range from simple tours to full on 'hard' adventure where you'll squeeze through tiny gaps, abseil hundreds of feet, climb underground rock faces (and jump off them) and all-in-all experience an adventure that suits you. Of course we recommend the 'hard' adventure option where you'll really experience a true adventure!

10. Taihape, Rangatikei
In the shadow of the Mountains, Mother Nature rules here, mystical, changeable and temperamental - where natural events like flooding, snow, lahars and eruptions are all part and parcel of dealing with life in the Rangitikei. World famous for its gumboot throwing, Taihape has stuck its hand up as an adventure destination for those seeking a more raw 'untouched' New Zealand. Different activities available are white water rafting, kayaking, horse treks, fly fishing and the highest bungy in the North Island - 80m. We recommend heading to Taihape if you wish to experience a spot that still contains that raw natural beauty that New Zealand is so famous for.