New Zealand hosts a vast array of outdoor adventures that showcase this incredible land while connecting people, creating excitement, challenging physical strength, driving mental boundaries and inspiring all those involved. There is something to suit everyone whether you are a competitive athlete or just looking for something outside the norm! A challenge that will push your mental and physical barriers allowing you to grow and achieve beyond what you thought you could. So, why don’t you experience a premium adventure here in New Zealand, you might surprise yourself?! If you’re looking for a different kind of experience in the heart of Rotorua, you can also go on a Rotorua Canopy Tours experience.
Experience a premium adventure event in New Zealand:
- The Goat – Held in January
- GODzone – Held in March
- Porirua Grand Traverse – Held in April
- 3D Adventure multisport festival – Held in June
- Tough Guy & Tough Gal Challenge – Regionally held in May or August
- Peak to Peak – Held in September
1. The Goat
This exhilarating adventure race takes you from Whakapapa to Turoa ski fields via the western slopes of Mt Ruapehu. Over 20kms, the racers climb over 1000m of vertical accents, over lava flows, scoria gardens, mountain beech forests, tussock grassland, and native herb fields. Stand out features that make this event a premium and inspirational experience include cascading waterfalls, spectacular panoramic views, an alpine lake and uniquely alpine rocky rivers.
2. GODZone
This annual, multi-day, non-stop, exhibition-style experience is the largest of its type in the world and regarded as the best. The location of the event is held somewhere different each year and the course kept secret until just before the start day. Although it’s called a ‘race’, the premium event is all about the team journey and showcasing some of New Zealand’s finest landscapes.
Over eight and a half days, mixed teams of four battle the elements, unknown terrain, lack of sleep, team dynamics, physical exertions, and mind over matter. Teams are required to navigate, trek, mountain bike, kayak, canoe and raft a vast array of landscapes, testing each team members strengths and weaknesses. This one is not for the faint of heart!
3. Porirua Grand Traverse
With a number of race options from a 9km fun run/walk right through to the full 58km multi-sport event and duathlon, there is something to suit all levels and a place for anyone at the start line! The multisport event has a paddle across Porirua Harbour into Pauatahanui and back, mountain-biking through a myriad of hidden trails around Porirua and lastly a run through bush, over farm land and hidden coastal beaches with beautiful views of the Cooks Straight.
4. 3D Adventure multisport festival
Each year on Queens Birthday weekend, the beautiful Lake Tikitapu (Blue Lake) houses the annual Rotorua event, 3D Adventure multisport festival. With a backdrop of crisp fresh water, native forest, bumpy terrain and the well-known redwoods, this event has a taste of adventure for all levels of adventurers. It even has an experience for our young ones with a 2km, under 10yrs race called ‘Nature Valley’. You can race with a team or solo and choice from walking, running, mountain biking or multi-sport options.
5. Tough Guy and Gal Challenge
This is New Zealand’s original mud run series! It is held in three location in the north island and gives competitors a chance to get down ‘n’ dirty and have a bunch of fun regardless of being competitive or completely uncompetitive. An awesome chance to get mates, family or work mates together on your choice of a 6km or 12km muddy obstacle race over farm land, through bush, under nets, over fences, climbing fames, water crossing and of course, mud and more mud!
6. Peak to Peak
This is an iconic winter multi-sport race held annually in September. You can enter as an individual, in a tandem team or as a relay team. This event showcases the attractive, adventure capital, Queenstown in all its winter glory. Taking participants from the top of the Remarkable, down to central Queenstown and up, through to Coronet peak. The race includes skiing or snowboarding, mountain-biking, kayaking, road cycling and on foot over five race stages. As you can imagine the scenery along the way is outstanding!
