Whether you are looking for adrenaline extreme or just a bit of excitement, you can find plenty of adventure activities in Auckland, New Zealand. We know because we live here.
A country known for pushing to the limit, many of these are once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. Ignore the rumour that says you must head to the South Island for adrenaline rush activities.
We share a list of adrenaline-pumping options on the water, on land, and in the air. Even more good news, we have found and included links that offer entry or ticket discounts to nearly all of the exciting activities below. Generally, these will require you to book in advance for a particular time slot, but often it can just be a few hours before you want to go.
So put on your brave face and get ready for some exciting adventure activities in Auckland.
First, get to know our city
Our favourite adventure activities in Auckland
More on each below.
- America’s Cup sailing
- Surfing
- Jet boats
- Whale watching
- Rainbow’s End
- Axe throwing
- Indoor Skiing or Snowboarding
- Bridge Climb or Bridge Bungy
- Mountain biking
- Adrenalin Forest
- Ziplining
- SkyJump or SkyWalk
- Skydive
Adventure Activities in Auckland on the Water
Built on an isthmus, it is not surprising that there are plenty of water-based adventure activities in Auckland.
Visitors and locals should get out on Auckland Harbour at least once, whether it be racing in an America’s Cup yacht, on a dinner cruise, on a ferry, or with the power and excitement of the spins and tricks offered by the jet boats. And then there is my favourite, watching a whale breach the water’s surface.
America’s Cup sailing
Location: Viaduct Harbour
This is the real thing – an opportunity to crew on a former Team New Zealand America’s Cup yacht. Of course, the expert crew is there to assist, but it is the passengers who race and steer the yacht. There are sails to adjust, ropes to pull, and decisions to be made.
There are jobs for everyone who wants one. Or, choose to sit and enjoy the wind in your hair while you admire the city skyline. Either way, the two hours out on the water are magical. Reserve your (discounted) America’s Cup sailing experience here
Note: minimum age is 10 years old.
Surfing
Location: best on Auckland’s west coast beaches
The wild west coast beaches are popular with Auckland surfers. Regardless of which one you choose, you are sure to find other surfing enthusiasts. Take note: if you are not a surfer, you will want to be sure and swim between the flags, as this is the area patrolled by the lifeguards.
We love to bring guests to Muriwai. It is not only a great surfing beach, it also features black sand that is loaded with magnetite, an iron-bearing mineral, making it magnetic.
In addition, an Australian Gannet colony flies over 2000 kilometres each year to breed near Muriwai Beach. You’ll want to visit Muriwai between August and February, you will find these beautiful birds.
Reserve (discounted) surf lessons at Muriwai
Jet boats
Location: Pier Z Westhaven Drive, Westhaven Marina (This is a temporary location. It will return to Quay Street once construction is completed.
Jet boats are popular on New Zealand’s rivers, but here is your chance to experience the thrill of speed, arcing fishtails, spins, and power brakes right in Auckland Harbour.
In addition to the high-speed excitement, you will fly under the harbour bridge and see iconic landmarks like Chelsea Sugar Factory and Kauri Point. Reserve your discounted Auckland Jet Boat experience here.
Auckland whale and dolphin safari
Location: Viaduct Harbour, Auckland – register inside the maritime museum
We found every moment on an Auckland Whale and Dolphin Safari exciting. For me, it is one of the most thrilling things to do in Auckland. Nothing tops the day’s first sighting. As the boat turns toward hundreds of seabirds diving into the water, the commentator explains that this feeding frenzy will attract dolphins, and the whales will be close behind.
On approach, the boat slows, and smiling passengers move towards the rails for a better view. An onboard marine researcher points out the frolicking dolphins. It isn’t long before the seabirds take flight, and, in what seems like complete silence, a majestic whale breaks the water’s surface.
Reserve your AWADS adventure here
Adventure Activities in Auckland on the land
Rainbow’s End
Location: 2 Clist Crescent, Manukau
New Zealand’s largest theme park is small compared to some of the giants around the world, yet it is packed with excitement. If you are born brave like everyone else in my family, you can take the vertical drop reaching speeds of 82 km/hour. For me, I am better on the gentle rides.
My kids tested their courage on each of the five thrill rides that spin, flip, corkscrew, and otherwise leave you screaming. Stratosfear (shown in the photo) at its most extreme is considered their scariest ride, and the most fun according to some of the adventure seekers in our family.
Check for Rainbows End entry discount tickets here
Axe throwing at Sweet Axe
Location:110 Nelson Street, Auckland CBD
Axe throwing is all about technique over strength, and to my surprise, even I could hit a bullseye (occasionally) just by following the staff’s instructions.Yes, that is me in the photo. It’s not only a great place for a group of friends but also a team-building activity. We reviewed it and captured some of our fun on video.
Reserve your time at Sweet Axe here
Indoor skiing or snowboarding at Snowplanet
Location: 91 Small Road, Silverdale, Auckland
As our team stepped into Snowplanet, the largest snowdome in the Southern Hemisphere, we were immediately immersed in a winter wonderland that exists all year round. The options for fun seemed endless. We sent both an experienced skier / snowboarder, as well as a beginner, and both had a blast.
The staff greeted them warmly and offered their assistance in getting the right gear, which in our case, included a snowboard, warm pants, jacket, gloves, and a helmet. Tubing was also an option for those looking for a different kind of thrill or some family fun.
A second highlight was 7 Summits, a cozy restaurant where our team could warm up with a steaming hot beverage and a fabulous cheese fondue.
Get discounts on a snowpass and gear here or on tubing here.
Bridge Climb or Bridge Bungy
Location: 105 Curran St extension, Westhaven Marina
If bungy jumping off a major bridge is your idea of a thrill, why not leap off the Auckland Harbour Bridge? Not only is it totally cool, but it’s also the country’s only ocean touch bungy (most others are on rivers). The jump is from 40 metres (131 ft), so not for the faint of heart.
If you don’t want to take the leap, perhaps just a bridge climb might be more your speed. This fully guided tour rewards with you with impressive views. Check for discounts on bridge climb here, or check for discounts on bridge bungy here.
Mountain biking in Woodhill Forest
Location: Restall Road, Woodhill
The best thing about Woodhill is that it caters to everyone one who wants to hit the dirt track, from first-timers to pros; they got you covered. My daughter even did part of the adventure section of her Duke of Edinburgh Silver award on one of the tracks here. This epic park has over 50km of mountain biking trails.
Best of all, the discount entry includes mountain bike rental.
Reserve your (discounted) Woodhill experience here.
Adventure Activities in Auckland in the air
Adrenaline activities in Auckland are not limited to water. Some of the exciting things to do in Auckland include being zipping over a winery, walking around or jumping off the Sky Tower, or heading up even higher and skydiving back to the ground level.
Adrenalin Forest
Location: 12 Stone Road, Bombay
A six-level obstacle course through beautiful pine trees ranging from just 1m off the ground navigating bridges, swings, crossing nets and climbing to 20m. It all ends with a flying fox. Have fun as you challenge yourself and tick another item off your adrenaline junkie bucket list.
Reserve your Adrenalin Forest experience here
Eco Zip Adventures
Location: 150 Trig Hill, Onetangi, Waiheke Island
Zipping over the canopy, riders enjoy the lush green native forests of Waiheke Island.
Everything about EcoZip Adventure resonates with natural beauty and excitement. Before taking the ferry back to Auckland, visit one of the world-famous wineries on Waiheke Island, or visit one of the many Waiheke beaches.
Reserve your Eco Zip Adventure here
SkyJump or SkyWalk
Location: Sky Tower on the corner of Victoria and Albert Streets
Adrenaline junkies looking for a thrill have two options from the top of the Sky Tower: SkyJump or SkyWalk.
The first, a base jump via wire, plunges brave riders from 192m, at speeds up to 85km/hour. It is fast enough to satisfy any dare-devil yet slower than a traditional bungy jump, thus allowing participants to enjoy both the thrill and the view on the way down.
SkyWalk takes tethered visitors all the way around the tower on a narrow 1.2 metre-wide ledge suspended 192 metres above the ground. The lack of handrails makes it all the more exciting.
Check for discounts on SkyJump, or SkyWalk, or a combination
Skydive Auckland
Location: West Auckland Airport, 73 Green Rd, Parakai
I may not be brave enough to give it a try, but Skydive Auckland is one of the adrenaline-rush activities in Auckland that should be included in this list. Jumping from 13,000ft or upgrading to an even higher jump, you will free fall for 45 seconds.
Enjoy magnificent west coast views as you reach speeds of 200+km per hour.
Reserve your discounted Auckland skydive here
Save on your NZ trip with these resources
These are our go-to companies when we travel. We believe this list to be the best in each category. You can’t go wrong using them on your trip too.
- Flights: we use Expedia for the best and cheapest flight options.
- Accommodations: we use Booking.com (hotels), Bookabach (self-contained in NZ), or Hostelworld (budget). See all our personal favourite NZ hotels here.
- Cars (gas or electric): we use RentalCars to search for deals and dealer ratings.
- Motorcycles: we have heard good things about BikesBooking.
- Campervans: Our readers prefer Jucy, and we get consistently great feedback.
- Activity discounts: we check Bookme.com for discounts of up to 70% on activities.
- Private guides: we do have a go-to when we hire a private guide from Viator.
- Travel Insurance: while not required, we always opt for travel insurance and start at InsureMyTrip to compare coverage plans.
Check out our travel resources page for more companies that we use when you travel. And don’t forget to download our free New Zealand packing list when you sign up for our newsletter.
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Which of these adrenaline rush activities appeal to you?
Disclaimer: We are frequently provided with a complimentary entry or other benefits. However, the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
Wayne Smith
I’m scheduled to be in Auckland and several other NZ ports early Feb 2022 -on the Island Princess what do you think the odds are New Zealand will be open for tourist by then
Jeff Albom
I think it is too early to tell what will happen with travel to New Zealand in 2022. I would watch this New Zealand site for information.
Arielle Kurtze
So many heart stopping things to do just in Auckland! New Zealand is definitely on our bucket list. I’m much more of a weenie so I can send my husband on these scary adventures and I will go read a book! Stuff for everyone! Thanks for sharing
Jasmine
As an Aucklander, I’ve done a few things on this list but not all! I did the Skyscreamer about six years ago and loved it! I’ve always wanted to do the walk around the top of the Sky Tower!
Zi
I did the skyjump and the skyscreamer, was so much fun!
David
Normally when I think outdoor activities in New Zealand I think Queenstown but clearly Auckland has its fair share too. I loved zip lining in Costa Rica so would love to try it at Waiheke as well. I’ve never done an escape room so definitely curious to see what they’re like.
Kreete | AdventurousTrails
Umm, big yes to canyoning!! I would also include mountain climbing and glacial walks. Definitely heading over soon for a mountaineering course!
Rhonda Albom
The glaciers are on the South Island. I don’t know of mountain climbing near Auckland, but canyoning, yes
Sandy N Vyjay
What a thrilling range of activities in Auckland. Auckland seems to spell adventure to the core. My personal choice of this list would be zip lining over the beautiful canopies and going for a spin and tumble on a jet boat.
Megan Jerrard
Love this – even though NZ is known as the adventure capitol of the world, it’s usually Queenstown you’re told to head to for adrenaline, so it’s nice to know that there are equally as many awesome options, because Auckland is easier and more accessible to get to for me 🙂
Rhonda Albom
Very true, Queenstown really started it all, but Auckland is giving chase.
Archana Singh
I am an adventure loving person and that was the reason I went to New Zealand. Unfortunately, i didn’t get to spend so much time in Auckland. Skywalk was fabulous. Loved it. I would love to try other activities too.
Jennifer
I’d do just about all of these things. I can’t make up my mind on bungee jumping though. The thought of just a rubber band basically holding me does freak me out a bit. And Escape Rooms are so fun! We have one in Bordeaux where we live, and we’ve done two of the four different mysteries that they offer so far. With the right group of friends, it can be a really fun time.
julie
New Zealand is bucket list for my husband and I and my daughter is a huge adrenaline junkie!! So these activities are right up her (our) alley! I think I’d probably go for the whale watching first, but I know my kids would choose the jet boat immediately!
Anda
You can count me out of all these activities, Rhonda. I don’t think I’d be able to do any of them even if my life depended on it. I would probably faint even before setting foot on a bungee jumping platform. But I have to say, your photos are fantastic!
Lydia Smith
The water and land activities are stuffs I can try but the sky activities at the New Zealand Theme park looks so scary. Besides that, this list is a good pack for andrenaline activities lovers
Alex Datsev
Some of these activities are pretty extreme indeed, but I would love to try the canyoning, zip-lining, or whale / dolphin watching. Auckland seemslike the perfect place for an active weekend (or a week)!
mark wyld
Just across the ditch, they say from us but for some reason, i keep flying in the wrong direction. Seems there are many amazing things we are missing in heading the Europe direction and not the Kiwi direction. Hoping to change that going forward. The zip lining and the theme park would be high on our kid’s lists of things to do
Jas from My Suitcase Journeys
I’ve gone boating so many times and been wanting to up my game and try sailing but haven’t had a chance just yet. Auckland looks like the perfect place to try tho! And the whale and dolphin safari sounds amazing!!!!! I’ve bookmarked this for when I visit. Thanks for sharing!
Ryan Biddulph
I would love the jet boating Rhonda. We watched dolphins in New Jersey a while back, via speed boat. We’d fly on the water, going super duper fast, and the dolphins trailed the boat at our pace. Then we’d stop and watch them swim around the boat. 2 adrenaline rushes with 1 stone 🙂
Jim ~ ReflectionsEnroute
Crew an America’s Cup yacht? Oh yeah, that is totally for me! #wkendtravelinspiration
mallory
I would love to do the dolphin and whale watching – anything else seems a little too intense. Your Niece seems very adventurous!
Lara Dunning
These all sound like great activities for those that like an adrenaline rush. I get motion sick super easy so most of these would be out of the question unless I Dramamine up. I can zip line tho and so far haven’t had any problems!
Paula McInerney
I’d like to do the escape room. but none of the others, really. I am not that brave.
Priya Vin
The skywalk sounds scary but fun! I like to do the zipline and the Jetboats for sure.
Una-Minh
Anything to do with heights (apart from ziplining) is pretty much out for me BUT I love the idea of being a member crew on a former Team New Zealand America’s Cup yacht! V ery cool. I love water sports and sailing so this is right up my alley.
Anisa
Wow. Most of those are definitely outside my comfort zone but maybe I could get my courage up for the SkyWalk. I would love the dolphin/whalewatching though.
Michelle | michwanderlust
The SkyWalk and SkyJump sound pretty good, although if I were going to go skydiving I’d probably skip the SkyJump. Skydiving is definitely on my list! I like the idea of ziplines, but think I’ve been on too many – they’re just not that thrilling for me anymore. I must have built up some kind of adrenaline tolerance!
Wendy Maes
My kids would love to do all these things. Me too, except for the bungee jump 🙂
Rob+Ann
We would gladly sign up for a sail in an America’s Cup Yacht! We seem to find ourselves on boats anytime we’re near the water – definitely one of our favorite activities. Would love to go zip lining too, but haven’t yet. That seems so cool, and about as close to flying (without an airplane) as you can get!
Amelie
This is the perfect article for us as we are a very sportive and thrill-seeking couple ! We would love to go surfing at one of the beaches at the NZ westcoast. I just do not like scary rides – I always feel so dizzy afterwards.
Thank you and greetings
Amelie
Sreekar
Hello, Auckland! Here I come in November. Will surely do at least a couple of them! Thanks for the heads up Rhonda!
Lolo
How awesome that you got to see Princess Kate and Prince William racing against each other! They were just in Heidelberg and did a similar thing!
Paul F. Pietrangelo
I would love to do some scary rides but I’m a scary cat. I would love to do the jet boats, Ziplining ( unfortunately I wouldn’t be able climb to get on the platform ) bungy jumping, ARE YOU CRAZY? Ha,ha,ha. Now Escape Masters, Now you’re talking. You guys sure looked like you were enjoying yourselves. What I life. Have a great time Rhonda. See ya.
Cruisin Paul
Natasha
I would absolutely love to go on one of those jet boats, they look like so much fun, and just safe (from the looks of it) enough for me too. I love being on the water. Great post! – Tasha
Esther
Hahaha, OMG! This is all just far too exciting for me. I wish reading or knitting was considered a spectator sport 😉
Ruth | Tanama Tales
New Zealand is the extreme adventure country by excellence. I am not surprised by the many adrenaline related activities in Auckland.
Rhonda, I have been having problems with leaving comments lately. When I hit “Post Comment,” I get a “Database Connection” error and the comment does not go thru (maybe it does, sorry if I am commenting more than once). Maybe it is something to take a look. It has happened to me at least three times.
Jill
I think I must have been a sailor in another life because the America’s Cup Sailing would provide all the rush that I need. That’s definitely my number one pick from your list! Ziplining would be number 2!
Kathy Marris
New Zealand has long been renowned as an adventure playground for thrillseekers. I have visited many times over the years and normally participate in something adventurous whether it be skiing, jet boating, cycling or hiking. Thanks for giving me some more inspiration.
Carol
Everything looks so exciting!
budget jan
Loved your Piha beach shot and the skywalk shot with the person dangling (that will never be me) and the dolphin – that couldn’t have been easy to capture.
Lyn aka The Travelling Lindfields
What is it about kiwis that they love to hurl themselves into the air at high speed. Much as I love my fellow antipodeans across the ditch, I think you are all a bit whacky. I love the sign under the bridge. How exactly do you exercise caution if a bungee jumper is about to crash into you? Fantastic photo of the dolphin. I wish I could take photos like that.
Mary {The World Is A Book}
Most of these sound really fun and exciting. Love the water adventures. I’ll pass on the Skyscreamer and Skyjump. We went to Auckland many years ago for part of our honeymoon and these activities make me want to go back with the kids.
Patrick Weseman
Now, you really have me wanting to travel to New Zealand. Very beautiful photos.
Thanks for hosting and have a great weekend.
Amy Franks
yeah nah everything there except sailing is just a no for me lol. I prefer life on the water not way above it.
Jeanna
You can keep the zip line stuff but I’d be all over the water. They really clamp you in on those jet boats, don’t they? You got some fantastic shots, great action, and angles and that wistful shot of the surfer.
beatravelling
I went up the Sky Tower, but never went outside. Being up there was more than enough 🙂 Was fun watching people jump off, while I was enjoying tea and cake 🙂
Rhonda Albom
If you go to the observation deck, there is no outside option. That is only for the jumpers and Skywalkers.
Lydia C. Lee
Would love to do the ziplining. That looks great fun!!
L. Diane Wolfe
The Skyscreamer and Rainbow’s End are my type of ride! I’d love to try the bungee jumping, but I think my husband would draw the line there.
Alex J. Cavanaugh
Escape Masters sounds fun. So does the jet boat. Not jumping from anything though.
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Hi Rhonda – a few of those things … but most involving plummeting etc – no thanks! The Escape thingee sounds an interesting experience – I had some friends who did and must check … cheers Hilary
Shere
I would love to sail. I took some sailing classes here and we used to rent small sail boats. For all other activities, I would pass. I’m not an adrenaline junky 😂
ladyfi
What a lot of fun things to do!
Olivia Morris
none of these things for me thanks anyways. I like my feet firmly planted on the ground. If I was younger my heart might be abler to take some of these adventures, but, for me, right now, I’ll just watch!
Rhonda Albom
There are plenty of non-adrenaline rush activities in Auckland as well. You don’t have to be a thrill seeker. A nature lover will also enjoy New Zealand.