5 Things to Do in New Zealand That Aren’t Bungy Jumping

We’re sure you won’t have any trouble finding tips on New Zealand’s winery tours, fishing trips, and hikes (all of which are definitely unmissable). There is an infinite amount of things to do in one of the world’s most beautiful countries – but we’ve made a list of some of the must-dos you might not find in your travel brochure:

1. Tour a Glacier.

It might sound a strange suggestion to climb a giant hunk of ice, but the first man to climb Mount Everest was from New Zealand, and what better way to pay tribute to that than by sort-of-nearly doing something a little bit similar?

The best ones to get you started are the Franz Josef and the Fox glaciers. They make the perfect setting for great photos, or, better yet, allowing for hilarious re-enactments of The Revenant.

2. Bathe in a Hot Pool.

Soak up your surroundings and move your spa experience from the ordinary to the amazing by having one of the most beautiful views conceivable right beside you. There couldn’t be a better activity to help relax and clear your mind, and it’s a good idea no matter what the season.

3.Walk Among the Trees.

A treetop canopy walk is one of the best ways to immerse yourself in New Zealand’s nature scene. It will also give you a great view of the surrounding scenery, which makes for incredible views and equally good holiday snaps. There are higher and lower walks, so you can choose the amount of adrenaline you want to get pumping.

4. Visit Hobbiton.

Okay, you got us, this one will probably be in your travel guides. But it’s just too good an opportunity to miss. Unleash your inner child, and visit the set of The Hobbit.  We know you’ve dressed up and pretended you were someone from The Lord of the Rings before, so why not make it a reality?

5. Get to the Supermarket.

Or maybe as a better rule; eat everything you see. Here’s a short list, though, if you don’t have heaps of time:

Seafood: If you like seafood, you’ll be in heaven in New Zealand. Oysters, mussels, whatever it is, it’ll be fresh and amazing. If you’re looking for something cheaper, go for fish and chips – they don’t just say it funny; they make it damn well, too.

Meat pies: There’s more gravy, the meat is tenderer and the pastry is flakier. Enough said.

Griffin’s biscuits: You’ll think this is a weird addition to the list, until you try them. Mallow Puffs, Chocolate Afghans, and Toffee Pops will all have you stocking up your suitcase before you leave.

Feijoas: The fruit grows, well almost anywhere, but for some reason New Zealand is the only country to have cottoned onto the fruit that tastes like a combination of banana, pear, and pineapple. There’s a feijoa flavoured everything, for which we will always be thankful.