The Milford Sound and Fiordland is a "Must do" New Zealand experience for every tourist and locals alike.
The Milford Sound and Fiordland is a “Must do” New Zealand experience for every tourist and locals alike.

Luxury Adventures has selected a list of exciting New Zealand experiences for 2017. This is just a sample of what we can organise in NZ for you. Dependent on your interests there are numerous other unforgettable New adventures to experience! Have a look below to get a taste of what’s possible in New Zealand.

Milford Sound: Fly – Walk – Fly

The Milford Sound and Fiordland is a “Must do” New Zealand experience for every tourist and locals alike. There are several options available to visit the Sound, dependant on budget and time restraints. You can read more about this in our previous article called, visit Milford Sound. A great way to experience Milford Sound that is relatively new, is the Fly-Walk-Fly option. This option is ideal for travellers who would like to hike a part of the Milford track. Normally it’s a 54 km hike and walked over 4 days. Not everyone has the time available to them, therefore this option is ideal.

You’ll fly from Queenstown airport over the Wakatipu Basin and the Shotover River. Heading towards Glenorchy and the head of Lake Wakatipu. Your flight path offers stunning views of the Southern Alps, flying deep into the heart of Fiordland National Park. You’ll get to see Fiordland’s tallest glacier mountain, Mt Tutuko, and orbit the length of Milford Sound. From here take in unparalleled views of world famous Mitre Peak and Milford Sound.

Get ready to experience the Milford Track!

Upon landing at Milford Sound airport you’ll be met by a guide and transported to Sandfly Point to begin your guided hike. The walk takes you along the Arthur River and then Lake Ada, to the spectacular Giant Gate waterfall. The waterfall is best viewed from the large swing bridge spanning the river. At the end of the hike, you’ll be transferred back to the Milford boat terminal and return to Queenstown by flight.

Dog sledding experience in the Pisa Range, New Zealand
Dog sledding in the Pisa Range, New Zealand

Dog Sled – Queenstown

How cool would it be to drive your own team of Huskies! Well you can near Wanaka in the South Island of New Zealand. These tours are a great winter adventure. They operate July through late September from the Snow Farm between Queenstown and Wanaka. You’ll be able to interact with the dogs and after instruction drive your own team through the beautiful trails provided by the Snow Farm. Nothing but the silence of the mountains and the sound of the dogs feet, their breath and your runners gliding through the snow.

If your not game enough to try driving your own team there is also an option to ride in a basket guided by one of our experienced mushers through some stunning NZ high country scenery. There are also overnight tours available. This offers a chance to totally immerse yourself and experience the world of sled dogs, with overnight accommodation in a backcountry hut in the Pisa Range. All of these tours must be pre-booked, and the Luxury Adventures team can assist with this.

Silently navigating the pristine Dart River near Glenorchy
Silently navigating the pristine Dart River near Glenorchy in an electric 4wd

Electric 4WD Discovery, Queenstown

A brand new concept in Eco-Adventures is located on the beautiful Dart River delta near Glenorchy. Take charge of these amazing electric 4WD vehicles and let the on-board computer guide you along the wilderness trail in comfort, safety and silence! Each vehicle is loaded with an interactive multi-lingual GPS guidance system, so you can find out more about the area as you travel. Explore this pristine wilderness at your own pace. Discover the area’s surprising wildlife, history and geology, while enjoying the breathtaking scenery used in some of New Zealand’s most iconic movies, like LOTR and the Hobbits Trilogy. Tours operate twice a day and pre-booking is recommended.

Admiring the dense rainforest canopy in the ancient Whirinaki Forest, New Zealand
The ancient Whirinaki Forest is also regarded by hikers as one of New Zealand’s best one-day walks.

Whirinaki Forest Guided Hike

Whirinaki Forest is one of the world’s premier rainforests. One of the world’s biodiversity hot-spots, barely changed since dinosaurs lived in the undergrowth. Tall trees and rare birds such as the Kereru, a New Zealand Wood pigeon, the Kaka a large forest parrot, Fantails, Bellbirds and Tui’s are among some of the birds you may be lucky enough to spot. Not to mention stunning scenery! The park is about 100 km southeast of Rotorua, located between the central volcanic plateau and mountain axis of the North Island.

Luxury Adventures can arrange a full day guided hike with a knowledgeable local guide who has many years experience in conservation education. This tour takes in a full day in the world famous Whirinaki Forest. Think stunning scenery, waterfalls, rare birdlife and giant 1000-year old trees. Whirinaki is regarded as NZ’s most complete canopy and ranks as one of the world’s great rainforests. This walk is also regarded by hikers as one of New Zealand’s best one-day walks.

Truly an exciting New Zealand experience! Getting up close and personal with the great white shark.
Truly an exciting New Zealand experience! Getting up close and personal with an apex predator.

Shark Cage Diving, Stewart Island

Always wanted to go shark cage diving and see the great white shark up-close? Then this really is the ultimate in adrenaline pumping, exciting New Zealand experiences! The waters around Stewart Island, located at the very bottom of New Zealand’s South Island are home to over 100 great white sharks. The waters are also home to other marine life such as whales, seals, penguins, albatross and more. If cage diving is a little too adventurous for you, you can also chose to take a sightseeing day trip.

Shark dive or sightseeing trips operate 1st December through to 30th June, they are full day trips which depart from Bluff, 30 minutes drive from Invercargill or pick up is available from Stewart Island. You will need to spend the night before and likely the night after the shark experience in the region. Talk to the Luxury Adventures team about accommodation options. No dive experience is necessary. There is a dive instructor on board the boat and you can take an equipment lesson on the way to the site.

Enjoy the New Zealand landscape in silence via electric trail bikes.
Enjoy the New Zealand landscape in silence via electric trail bikes.

Walter Peak Electric Trail Bikes

This New Zealand experience happens to be kind on the environment also. Based in Queenstown the Walter Peak Farm Electric Bike tour combines the iconic TSS Earnslaw steamship cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm. The Electric bikes are a unique, fun and low impact way to view the stunning surrounds. The experience is guided, and you’ll view rolling farmlands, with a beautiful backdrop of Lake Wakatipu, in silence! Follow undulating well formed tracks to Beach Point reserve. Here you’ll be offered refreshments and listen to the guide regale stories of the history of Walter Peak and high country farming. The ride back to the farm takes in amazing alpine forest scenery. Cruise back to Queenstown on the TSS Earnslaw.

Helicopter on route to Mt Cook, National Park.
Helicopter on route to Mt Cook, National Park.

West Coast Glacier scenic helicopter flight, with Mt Cook

There are a lot of spectacular West Coast helicopter flights available. Many of our clients have a wish list to visit the West Coast, Franz Josef & Fox Glaciers, along with Mt Cook. As the glaciers are constantly moving the only way to currently get up close to them is by helicopter. There are several options which include helicopter hikes, or fly overs. Most depart from Fox or Franz on the West Coast of the South Island.

The ultimate New Zealand glacier experience?

There is another great alternative which could be classed as the “ultimate New Zealand glacier experience”? This heli experience takes in Fox Glacier, Franz Josef, and also circles the top of magnificent Aoraki/Mount Cook. Departing from Fox Glacier you’ll experience Glacial icefalls, crevasses and neves with views from ocean to Alps. You’ll get to see both glaciers and NZ’s highest peak. Topped off with a spectacular snow landing, this is the best helicopter experience on the West Coast!

Below are a few other exciting New Zealand experiences for you to explore. Remember this is just a sample of what’s available in NZ.

Previous experience related blogs

New Zealand must do adventures 2019 
A selection of New Zealand activities 2018
Top New Zealand experiences 2016
Our top experience picks for 2015

Luxury Adventures – Tailoring luxury travel in New Zealand, Australia and the South Pacific Islands since 1999.

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