Wonderful Wintry New Zealand - Excitement and Exhilaration

Though the temperature drops and the weather worsens, winter in New Zealand is a beautiful and invigorating time. Following our blog about relaxing activities in winter, this month we've listed our favourite active and exciting activities during our wonderful winter.

Stay in one of our heated cabins while you visit, and earn quadruple Fly Buys points if you stay for more than two days! This great deal lasts all through July, so start packing now!

Cycle the country
If you love cycling or mountain biking, you'll never be short of riding destinations. The New Zealand Cycle Trail is a network of trails across both islands that traverse native bush, forests, plains and coastlines for an enjoyable way to travel and view the breathtaking scenery New Zealand has to offer.

For those seeking more of a challenge, there are a number of world-class mountain biking and downhill biking tracks and trails that will get your blood pumping. Taupo and Rotorua are popular in the North Island, as are Queenstown, Canterbury, and the Nelson Tasman area in the South Island. Check out the NZ by Bike website for great riding tracks and ideas.

To keep yourself safe and our grounds clean, please sign visitor books or let someone know where you're going, and dispose of any trash in rubbish and recycle bins.

Hiking and tramping
If you prefer two legs over two wheels, you'll be pleased to know that no matter where you're staying, you're never far from a great hike, tramp or walk.

For mountainous or forest/bush walks, hiking boots or shoes of similar quality are encouraged, particularly if the area is wet or snowy. Don't forget to wear warm clothes and bring a rain jacket or windbreaker, as well as plenty of water and healthy snacks.

Just like cycling, ensure you know how to stay safe in the New Zealand outdoors. Sometimes there are very few people in the area and the weather can change very quickly. The Department of Conservation has great instructions/rules in their outdoor safety code to help you stay safe and enjoy your walk or hike.

The Kiwi favourite - skiing and snowboarding
With a multitude of mountains on both islands, it's no surprise that Kiwis and travelers alike love to "carve up" on the slopes.

North Island slopes include those on Mt Taranaki in the Taranaki region and Mt Ruapehu in the Tongariro National Park. The South Island is home to The Southern Alps - 500 km of peaks and ranges that stretch the length of the island, and the skiing and boarding homes of Queenstown, Wanaka, Christchurch and Canterbury.

Staying in or around Auckland? No problem, Snow Planet is New Zealand's only indoor snow slope and arena, open all year round.

No matter where you're planning on hitting the snow, gear and equipment hire shops or facilities will be nearby, and many commercial slopes employ instructors that can be hired for lessons or group classes. Snow.co.nz has all the information you need about slopes, weather forecasts and hireage for wherever you are.

Extreme activities
New Zealanders are known as people who enjoy the thrills of extreme sports and activities, so there are plenty of great things to do to really get your heart beating or help you take an exhilarating step out of your comfort zone. Your Kiwi Holiday Park hosts will be happy to tell you about all the activities nearby and help you book your extreme experience. Try:

• bungy jumping in Taupo or Queenstown
  caving in Waitomo , Nelson, Fiordland or the South Island's West Coast
• jet boating on rivers and lakes around the country
• taking to the skies and then jump out for a breathtaking skydive
• Zorbing - hop into a large inflatable ball and roll down a hill
• whitewater rafting activities in many regions

Winter is a great time to get outdoors and active! With the beautiful views of New Zealand around you and a Kiwi Holiday Park cabin or apartment to return to, you'll have a great time doing your favourite activities or trying new ones, wherever you may be. Our friendly staff are happy to direct you to the closest attractions, and help you book and hire the equipment you need.

What are your favourite active winter activities? We'd love to hear about them in a comment below!

Photo credits:

Towards Porter's Pass by Vera & Jean-Christophe, CC-BY-SA-2.0
Brendan - Heliboarding by Grayskullguggery, CC-BY-SA-2.0
Green Glow Caves in New Zealand by Donnie Ray Jones, CC-BY-2.0