Outdoor and Adventure

The Best Things To Do In March

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The action never stops in New Zealand, and the month of March is certainly no exception. Whether you’re into high-octane adventures or slightly more relaxing outings, there are plenty of things to see and do across the two islands to keep you busy.

Go Zorbing

First things first: no, we don’t mean the Greek dance. We’re actually talking about getting inside a giant inflatable ball and rolling down a hill. Sound crazy? You bet it is – but it’s also ridiculously fun! At this Zorbing course in Rotorua you can choose between three different tracks: a straight slope, multipoint harness or curvy water ride. Each has its own twists and turns, all of which are captured on the hand-held GoPro camera that you’ll take along with you.

Zorb Inflatable Ball Ride

Take your pick between three different runs – a straight slope, a multipoint harness or a curvy water ride – and enjoy views of Lake Rotorua and Mokoia Island. There are even hot tubs on-site for a post-Zorb soak.

Have An Animal Encounter

Say hi to Wellington’s cutest residents when you check out the local New Zealand fur seal colony. These once-endangered creatures call the city’s rugged south coast home, and can be found basking on the rocks or splashing in the waves. On this half-day excursion you’ll learn all about the history of the colony and their quirky behaviours, plus stop at the Brooklyn Hill wind turbine to enjoy epic views across Cook Strait and the rest of the South Island.

Seal Coast Safari Tour by 4WD

Journey out to Wellington’s south coast, looking out over the Cook Strait, and visit the region’s only fur seal colony. Tea, coffee, and snacks are provided.

Saddle Up For A Ride

Although this is a horse riding adventure, your journey to the saddle actually begins with a lovely cruise from Queenstown across Lake Wakatipu. The historic steamship TSS Earnslaw will ferry you to Walter Peak High Country Farm, where a mouth-watering spread of scones and pastries awaits. Once all the goodies have been gobbled, it’s time to take the reins of a mighty steed and giddy up, heading out along a rugged alpine trail that offers incredible views of The Remarkables.     

Half-Day Walter Peak Horse Trek

Cruise from Queenstown to Walter Peak High Country Farm and venture out on horseback with an expert guide. This small-group experience includes a voyage on the TSS Earnslaw, refreshments and more.

Paddle With A Glow-In-The-Dark Kayak

When it comes to magical experiences, this late-night kayak tour of Auckland’s Long Bay-Okura Marine Reserve is hard to top. Leaving the bright lights of the busy city behind, you’ll paddle to a quiet section of the coast to catch a glimpse of the bioluminescent plankton that glow a neon shade of blue come nightfall. It’s definitely one of those pinch-me-this-can’t-be-real moments, and you’ll have about two hours to bask in the beauty of this natural phenomenon. 

Bioluminescence Kayak Tour

Paddle along Mairangi Bay, a short distance north of central Auckland, and have a close encounter with the bioluminescent plankton that live on the coast.

Visit The Buried Village Of Te Wairoa

As the site of one of New Zealand’s greatest natural disasters, a visit to the Buried Village of Te Wairoa on the outskirts of Rotorua is an eye-opening experience. In 1886 Mount Tarawera erupted, engulfing both the small village (home to M?ori people and Christian missionaries) and the fabled Pink and White Terraces – which were once dubbed the eighth wonder of the world. Today, there’s an interactive museum housing ancient relics and artefacts, excavated archaeological sites and a scenic walking trail to nearby Wairere Falls.

Buried Village of Te Wairoa Tour

Your entrance ticket includes a guided tour that explains geothermal features and shares insight about how Maoris and early settlers lived in the village before it was devastated by the later eruption.

Sample Martinborough’s Best Drops

Sip your way through the vineyards of Martinborough on a full-day wine tour showcasing the best tipples this North Island region has to offer. Renowned for its pinot noir and sauvignon blanc grapes, you’ll get the chance to sample award-winning varietals at three cellar doors, with a platter-style lunch included at one of them. But it’s not all about the drinks; other pit stops include a gourmet cheese shop, the historic settlement of Greytown and even a few Lord of the Rings filming locations.

Martinborough Full Day Wine Tour

Tour to the vineyards of Martinborough to taste the region’s acclaimed varietals, and admire the scenery of the Hutt Valley along the way. The day also includes stops at lookout points, visits to filming locations, and lunch at a vineyard.

Free Fall Through A Canyon

Not so keen on skydiving? Don’t love the idea of bungy jumping? Then let us suggest the Shotover Canyon Swing in Queenstown, which basically involves a 60-metre free fall above the Shotover River, before a cable swing system kicks in and stops you in your tracks. A thorough safety briefing beforehand should quell any simmering anxieties, but if you’re still not feeling brave enough you can go tandem with a friend.

Shotover Canyon Swing

Thrill-seekers in New Zealand’s ‘Adventure Capital’ will love free-falling over the river on the Shotover Canyon Swing. Choose to take the plunge on a solo swing or rope in someone else with a tandem experience.

Join The Scrum

You don’t have to be a rugby union fan to enjoy the brand-new All Blacks Experience, which has just opened in Auckland. The 45-minute interactive journey, which is guided by a team of hardcore rugby experts, begins with a helpful introduction to the game, followed by an important breakdown of why the haka is so culturally significant. You can then test your kicking, catching and passing skills (and see how they weigh up against real-life players) in the hands-on zone. 

All Blacks Experience: Interactive Guided Tour

Explore deeper into the All Black legend through a 45-minute journey, be led through the state-of-the-art live experience, learn about the importance of the haka, and get involved with hands-on activities.

Soak In An Onsen

Believe it or not, there’s more to Queenstown than extreme sports. Take, for example, the Onsen Retreat and Day Spa at Arthur’s Point. Here, you can soak your weary body and calm your frenzied mind in a traditional Japanese-style hot tub, complete with snacks and a glass of bubbly. A one-hour session in the steamy waters is guaranteed to rejuvenate any aching muscles, while also giving you plenty of time to admire the jaw-dropping views across the Shotover River Canyon

The Original Onsen Queenstown

Look out over jet boats zooming along the waters of Shotover River and embrace the Japanese-inspired atmosphere of this serene escape.

Ready to add some incredible things to do to your March plans? Book in one of the activities above, or explore more things to do around New Zealand to find experiences, excursions and more. If you need hotels, flights or car hire for your trip, Webjet has you covered for those too.

Hero image: Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown. Photo by Kishan Modi on Unsplash

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