Great places for exploration and adventure travel
September 24, 2009 by admin
Filed under Tourists Attractions
New Zealand is definitely one of my favorite destinations for adventure travel and ecotourism. I spent a month sampling from an all you can eat buffet of high-adrenaline activities that are so dear to the local kiwis (New Zealanders).
Black water rafting in the famous glow-worm caves of Waitomo offers challenging climbs, drops, and a peaceful cruise down a winding subterranean river. First you must rappel down a pit that drops straight down into the ground, where you can look at strange fossils gleaming on the wet walls. Then you have to cross a huge black chasm. You’ll bob along on a tube in velvety darkness with glow worms hanging like stars off the dripping stalactites. Then after wading through eel inhabited waters, you must climb up through a waterfall to emerge on dry ground again.
The skydiving and bungee jumping are also extremely exciting activities to take part in here. There are a number of reputable companies for this. In fact, New Zealand is home to the highest bungee jump in the world.
Try kayaking in the Golden Bay, where the guides will tell you tales of the cannibalism and violence of a bay that was once called Murderer’s Bay. The shallow turquoise waters and the white sands provide a perfect view for the hike back through gorgeous coastal rain forest.
Then try white water rafting on one of New Zealand’s many picturesque waterways! The guides will of course tell horror stories of deaths on the river before they take you on an exhilarating ride down the rapids!
Finally, for the ultimate adventure travel to the south island for a hike on the monolithic glaciers. Your guide will cut steps for you to help you along the way, but walking accross thin rickety bridges over huge drops- you won’t just be shivering from the cold! The ice caves will astound you…
Finish of your trip with a hike through the rainforest- this was my favorite thing to do of all… You may never want to leave when you’re surrounded by the miro trees and the call and response of kiwis in the distance.
Greymouth Has Many Exciting Activities
The largest town on the West Coast of New Zealands South Island is Greymouth.
Stretching from the south banks of the Punakaiki River in the north to the Taramakau River in the south and out to Moana and the Little Grey River at Ikamatua in the Grey Valley. A small district with a vast diversity, rich in history and an abundance of character.
Greymouth the main centre of the Grey District lies beside the Tasman Sea and the Grey River. It is the geographic and commercial heart of the West Coast, with the largest population. Today it is seen as an ideal base to explore the beautiful region of the West Coast.
No wider than seventy kilometres at any point, the mountains look closer, the lakes clearer, the rivers larger and faster, the forests more lush than anywhere else in the country. The region displays a great variety of mountains to the sea eco systems, unique alpine flora, vast forests, temperate coastal forests featuring flowering rata, kowhai and palms, diverse wetlands and much more.
A range of quality hotels, motels, backpacker hostels and holiday parks with shops from small specialty and tourist shops to national chain stores.
Restaurants, cafes and bars provide plenty of entertainment. It is also the terminus for the famous TranzAlpine train from Christchurch and a busy centre for coaches and shuttles taking visitors on tours to other destinations on the West Coast.
Early Maori Forged the central region in search of precious greenstone, also by the 1860s gold rush and by the development of road and rail links, the central region is rich in history.
Greymouth has many exciting activities only minutes from the town centre, including the Art Gallery, History House and the walk on the flood wall which protects the town from the mighty Grey River.
Float through underground streams on a cave rafting adventure. View Hector dolphins, cormorant nesting sites and fur seals on an Ocean Boat Tour or take a horse trek amongst the hauntingly beautiful rain forest.
Check out the craft people in their own environment or catch the wonderful sunsets from the beach or the tip head.
For an experience of early West Coast life, visit Shantytown, a replica pioneering town with its historical train rides, a working gold claim where you can successfully pan for gold, as well as thirty historic buildings including the local saloon, jail, church, hospital and school.
Many heritage gold diggings and tracks give you the chance to go for gold, or you can take a four wheel bike to experience farm life, take an action packed trail ride, or just explore the scenic or guided routes.
