Nelson Tasman has everything for the adrenaline seeker in you! Snow, sea, river, mountain or sky, we have adventures that will take you to all new heights.

If your thrills come from being on or near the water, then a canyoning expedition or a white-water adventure should definitely be on the cards! Nelson Tasman has some of the best canyoning experiences in the country, where you can abseil down granite canyons and spectacular waterfalls, zip through unspoiled rainforest and land in some of the purest water in Aotearoa.

Nelson Tasman is also home to the Murchison township, which sits on the Four Rivers Plain — the meeting point for the Mangles, Matiri, Matakitaki, and Buller rivers. Together they form the largest free-flowing catchment of water in New Zealand. It’s here that you’ll find the best white water rafting, white water kayaking, and jetboating all year round! Jetboating the Buller River at 85 km/hour is an exhilarating 40 minutes of pure thrill and high-speed action with sharp turns, V8 powered spins and rapids.

Alternatively, if free-falling from the sky is your idea of exhilaration, skydiving in Nelson Tasman is a truly spectacular and unique experience. It’s the only place in New Zealand where you can take in awe-inspiring views of both the North and South Islands, all the way up to Mt Taranaki. Whilst you soar over three national parks: Kahurangi, Nelson Lakes and Abel Tasman, revel in the breath-taking scenery of turquoise oceans, golden beaches, mountain vistas, orchards and vineyards.

Just on the outskirts of Nelson City you’ll find a range of other exciting activities at Cable Bay Adventure Park. Take a ride on the longest Skywire in the world, go mountain-biking, take a four-wheel drive adventure on quad bikes, or try a trip in Argo – an amphibious, all terrain, eight-wheeled vehicle – designed to go anywhere. If you’re feeling daring, you can also try out paintballing, or hit the archery course to practise your aim.

During winter, a visit to Rainbow Ski Area will satisfy your cravings. Wide slopes and well-maintained trails provide perfect terrain for beginners and intermediates, while advanced skiers and snowboarders can challenge themselves on the high powder runs and chutes. Rainbow also features a terrain park, offering more thrills, spills, jumps, bumps and drops for adventurous boarders and skiers, and in the summer months, the park is open to hikers and mountain-bikers providing year-round entertainment.

If a more leisurely adventure is what you’re after then you can always go paddle-boarding, kayaking or cycling around our beautiful coastlines and trails while you soak up the views of our stunning natural landscapes. There’s something to suit everyone here!

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