5 Things to do in Auckland, New Zealand for the Adventure Seeker.. Live Your Thrills!
- whereintheworldsar
- Aug 6
- 4 min read
Updated: Sep 3
Solo traveller or with a group ... have a go in Tāmaki Makaurau:
Skiing or Snowboarding: Snow Planet, Silverdale, North Auckland ...
Want to ski or snowboard in Auckland? And do it all year round? Then check out Snow Planet at Silverdale, just off the main motorway, 35 minutes north of Auckland City.
New Zealand's only indoor ski resort, Snow Planet offers 365 days of skiing or snowboarding, is open in all weather conditions and has over 8000 square metres of real snow; you can enjoy all kinds of snow sports, spills and thrills. Make your way down the slope at your own pace or soar through the air over the jumps, it's a great opportunity to keep yourself in the 'zone' before you head down country to one of the many ski resorts and mountains. All gear is available for hire, or take some lessons to improve your skills, you have no excuse not to launch yourself into this amazing opportunity. And at the end of your session on the slope, enjoy a drink, some great food and warmth in the restaurant, as you watch others wipe out.
Feeling sore? Aching muscles? 5 minutes down the road on the Silverdale Highway, at North Boxing Academy, you can now get a massage from Cheryl at Thrive Massage Auckland ...
River Rafting: Vector Wero Whitewater Park, Manukau, South Auckland
Whitewater rafting in Auckland? You betcha! Whether you are wanting to try whitewater rafting, kayaking or paddle-boarding (SUP), the man-made water park in Manukau, South Auckland, is only 30 minutes by car from Auckland City and 25 minutes from Auckland International Airport.
With over 9,000 square metres of clear water, New Zealand's first man-made river and whitewater course features two whitewater rafting courses, beginner (grade 1-2) and advanced (grade 3), plus the Pump Waterfall, the world's highest artificial rafted waterfall at 4.5m, and all are sure to get your heart pumping. For a more sedate experience, you can paddle a SUP or kayak on the crystal clear waters of the lake.
Keen kayakers, with certification, can ride the rapids and for others wanting to give it a go, take whitewater kayaking lessons to gain the expertise required to master this adventure activity.
Mountain Biking: Woodhill Mountain Bike Park, Woodhill Forest, West Auckland
Drive out west, 40 minutes from Auckland City, and you are at the home of Auckland's mountain biking. Woodhill Mountain Bike Park offers over 50 named trails/courses, over 100 kms of single track riding and over 100 purpose-built, council compliant jumps and stunts, the feature being the huge and scary 'North Shore' stunts. There is bike hire and a cafe onsite, plenty of parking and a bike wash, to clean your bike after your ride. Open all year, with a well drained sandbased terrain, there is no reason not to head out west and into the forest.
A few minutes down the road, instead of biking amongst the trees, you can climb and zip through the forest ...
Bungy Jump: off the Auckland Harbour Bridge, Auckland City
It can start with something as informative and enjoyable as the Bridge Climb then expand to the daring with a jump from the middle, when you set out on an Auckland Harbour Bridge Experience. A 2 hour bridge climb and a 40m (131ft) bungy jump, whatever your choice, it is well worth the effort.
As they say on the Auckland Harbour Bridge Experience website: "We've transformed one of Auckland's most recognisable landmarks into its biggest adventure playground. Not only can you climb to the top of the Auckland Harbour Bridge, but you can also jump from it attached to a bungy cord. You can even choose to dip your head in the water. Why? Because, that's why."
The walk up is fun, the jump adds to the adventure and the whole experience is a unique way to spend your time in Auckland City and on the Waitemata Harbour.
Learn more here:
5.Blo-Kart: Muriwai Beach, West Auckland
Muriwai Beach is a long, black-sand, surf beach on the west coast of Auckland, 45 minutes drive from Auckland City. Being the coastline where the Tasman Sea hits New Zealand, it is wild and rugged and offers some unique New Zealand experiences, with blo-karting being one of them. Karts can be hired from the Muriwai Surf School when the wind conditions are favourable, so check conditions before you venture out (see the link above). Also known as land-yachts, these craft race along the sand at great speeds and with the wide open beach, there is no restriction on how fast you can go and the fun that you can have.
The Muriwai area is a great base for adventure travel experiences in Auckland, and a stay of a few days would give you an ideal opportunity to explore this beautiful area of beaches and forests. A stay at the Muriwai Beach Campground offers powered and non-powered sites plus cabins and the facilities are excellent. As a place to settle down each night, you have the opportunity to start fresh each day and explore the beach with its surf, fish from the rocks, visit the Gannet colony, race a blo-kart along the sands, hike the cliffs or one of the many trails, play some golf, drive the beach in a 4WD vehicle or venture to Woodhill Forest for a bike or tree adventure.
For more information:
Summary
I love a good adventure and have been blessed to experience the above and more, all around the world. I have jumped off, down and into many rivers, waterfalls, caves and oceans and swung my way through many forests and I thoroughly enjoy coming home and finding similar thrills in my home town of Auckland. I hope that this gives you a guide to some of my favourites and that you enjoy your time here too!
An extension on taking your adventures even further: https://www.whereintheworldsarah.com/post/5-weekend-activities-worth-trying-in-auckland-nz-to-extend-your-adventures
For further info on Auckland, explore my blogs posts:
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