Embracing Adventure in New Zealand: A Journey to Reconnect with Your Inner Child
Harness secured and ankles shackled, I stood on the cantilever platform, toes dangling over the edge. Below me, the vibrant turquoise waters of the Waikato River shimmered some 47 metres down. With a nervous glance at the encouraging woman beside me, I raised my arms, leaned forward, and plunged into the void.
A rush of adrenaline surged, followed by a stomach-lurching sensation as I flew through the air at 62mph. Euphoria washed over me, bringing a profound sense of accomplishment. Suspended by a bungee cord just feet from the crystalline depths near Taupō, I had completed my jump at AJ Hackett Bungy NZ, the country's only cliff-top bungee site.
The Birthplace of Modern Bungee
New Zealand holds a special place in bungee history. It became the home of commercial bungee after Kiwis AJ Hackett and Henry van Asch established the first operation on Kawarau Bridge in 1988. My 11,500-mile solo journey was driven by a desire to experience these iconic adrenaline-fuelled thrills firsthand.
Still buzzing from the bungee, I returned to the same platform for the swing experience. Assisted by Dylan, I sat in my harness before plunging vertically at 70mph, the cord then swinging me like a pendulum. Suspended mid-air, I felt completely immersed in the stunning natural beauty surrounding me.
River Adventures and Natural Wonders
Driving to Huka Falls jet boat tour, still on the Waikato River, I discovered New Zealand's longest river narrows dramatically at this spectacular location. The thunderous sound of the falls precedes their visual impact, creating palpable excitement.
Bonding instantly with enthusiastic jet boat operator Ricky, we embarked on our adventure after safety checks. The boat crashed through water against sheer rock faces embroidered with native bush, with Ricky expertly executing sharp turns and 360-degree spins. Wiping spray from my face as we approached Huka Falls' base, I stood dumbstruck by the natural force capable of filling an Olympic swimming pool in just 11 seconds.
Rediscovering Childhood Joy
New Zealanders understand that play shouldn't end with childhood. They've created innovative ways to inject joy into adulthood, and I was here to embrace every moment. At ZORB in Rotorua, 80km from Taupō, I experienced the world's largest ball rolling park, invented right here in Aotearoa.
Since Andrew and David Akers launched the first operation in 1995, this year-round activity has helped countless people release their inner child. Choosing from four different tracks – including the world's longest zig-zag Sidewinder and the steepest Mega – I superwoman-dived into a ball filled with 40 litres of warm water, rolling downhill without a care.
Gentler Adventures and Geological Marvels
Adventure here doesn't require daredevil status. Gentle hikes like the trail around Lake Rotopounamu (meaning 'greenstone lake' in Māori) offer accessible immersion in nature. Nestled beside Mt Pihanga near Lake Taupō's southern end, this special place formed from a giant landslide 10,000 years ago attracts both birdwatchers and nature lovers.
New Zealand's position on the Pacific Ring of Fire creates dramatic volcanic landscapes far more fascinating than school geography lessons suggested. My two-hour tour of Waimangu Volcanic Valley revealed Lake Rotomahana, the country's youngest lake created by an 1886 eruption.
Māori settlers were drawn to geothermal activity for cooking, bathing and warmth benefits. As I wandered trails past bubbling mud pools, geysers, hot springs and the mysterious blue Inferno Crater Lake, I reflected on this unique historical legacy and the enduring popularity of geothermal bathing's healing properties.
Cultural Immersion and Connection
Lake Taupō, Australasia's largest freshwater lake (reportedly Singapore-sized), reveals Māori Rock Carvings best accessed by scenic sailing tour. Māori culture, embedded in New Zealand life for over 800 years, offers peaceful community introduction.
At Te Puia, a spectacular haka welcomed me – a powerful ritual dance illustrating the iwi's spiritual connection to land, customs and beliefs. The vigorous movements and rhythmic chanting held me in trance-like fascination.
For cultural survival, ancestral traditions must pass to younger generations. The adjacent Māori Arts and Crafts Institute exemplifies this continuity, with students (tauira) honing traditional weaving, wood, stone and bone carving skills. Watching completely absorbed students at this cultural beacon (wānanga) proved inspiring.
On-site restaurant Pātaka Kai offered traditional hāngī cuisine prepared underground – fresh seafood and sweet treats like Kānga waru (corn and kūmara steamed pudding) and Roroi kūmara (baked sweet potato).
National Treasures and Traditional Greetings
With satisfied appetite, I visited the state-of-the-art Kiwi Conservation Centre, coming face-to-face with New Zealand's national treasure: the native Kiwi bird.
Flying to Wellington revealed another cultural dimension. My first traditional hongi Māori greeting involved joined foreheads and noses – sharing breath in an endearing gesture. Prepared for intimate experience, I lowered into a waka (canoe) for outrigger paddling.
Learning hoe (paddle) techniques and switching sides, I chanted in unison with co-paddlers. These rhythmic time-songs traditionally coordinated paddlers for unity and strength during long voyages, creating warm solidarity as we rowed.
A Journey of Unexpected Rewards
My New Zealand adventure delivered more than anticipated. As Māori wisdom suggests, you arrive on this sacred land as a stranger but leave as a friend. Beyond adrenaline rushes and breathtaking landscapes, I discovered profound cultural connections and rediscovered childhood joy in adult form.
From cliff-top plunges to geothermal wonders, rolling hills to cultural immersion, New Zealand offers transformative experiences that reconnect travellers with their most joyful, adventurous selves.
