With a rugged landscape and the most epic playground on earth, New Zealand's South Island packs more adrenaline-charged outdoor options than you could squeeze into a year. From paragliding, bungy jumping, skydiving, or biking, you name it, there are plenty of exhilarating activities to get your heart racing.
Skiing Treble Cone is an excellent way to start your adventures. One of the biggest and loftiest of the southern lakes snow zones, Treble Cone is one of the world's best places to ski. Accessible from Wanaka, the slopes here are steep and there are even half-pies and a terrain park for snowboarders.
Ready... jump! Queenstown is the place to bunji jump. You can choose between the 43m Kawarau Bridge, the 134m Nevis Highwire, or the world's highest rope swing at Shotover Canyon.
A short hope from Murchinson, you can whitewater raft Grade III and IV rapids at Buller Gorge. You can also take a jetboat ride, a riverbank horse trek or a quad-bike tour.
Catch a wake at Dunedin, home to one of NZ's most reliable breaks - suburban St Clair Beach. If your heart is set on surfing and this site is not doing it for you, try nearby St Kilda or Blackhead or Aramoana on Otago Harbor's north shore.
As a magnificent trail over viaducts, through tunnels and across farmland, The Otago Central Rail Trail is the mecca for trampers and mountain-bikers across the world.
With dramatic views, sunny days and warm water, Nelson is the place to go paragliding and kiteboarding.
In Fiorland, Milford Sound has incredibly dark tannin-stained waters where you can harbor deep-water coral specie within a few scuba-accessible meters of the surface. If you are not an underwater fan, you have the option to snorkel across the surface instead.
From hiking, kayaking or skydiving, Abel Tasman offers a range of exhilarating activities that will allow you to admire its turquoise waters and mind-blowing views.
Get ready to go cave-rafting and abseiling into the Nile River caves surrounded by glowworms that will light the way as you take the 30m drop into Te Tahi tomo (hole).
Take a scenic flight or helicopter ride above the gargantuan fractures of Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier on the West Coast. If you want to get a closer look, try a helihike or guided walk around the mind-blowing floes.