ULTIMATE WINTER ADVENTURES IN NEW ZEALAND: FROM GLACIERS TO GALAXIES

Franz Josef Glacier

If the daily grind is leaving you cold, swap your routine for something epic this winter—like jet boating through a canyon, trekking on ancient glaciers, or stargazing above one of the darkest skies on Earth.

With unforgettable experiences offered by Ngāi Tahu Tourism across Aotearoa’s most iconic locations, there’s never been a better time to cross the ditch and dive into a different kind of winter.

Australia remains New Zealand’s largest visitor market, with Aussies accounting for more than a third of overseas visitors in January 2025, according to Stats NZ. And with that strong connection comes plenty of reasons to go.

Whether you’re chasing thrills, nature, culture, or all three, you’ll find them scattered like constellations across the country.

Here are some of the top picks for an unforgettable Kiwi adventure.

WALK ON ICE AT FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER

You don’t just visit Franz Josef Glacier—you strap on crampons and walk through it. The Glacier Heli Hike is a standout experience: a chopper lifts you onto the ice, where blue caves, frozen arches and otherworldly formations await.

Want to level up? Try the Heli Ice Climb or spend the night camping on the glacier under the stars.

TREK AND FLY IN FIORDLAND’S WILDERNESS

The Hollyford Wilderness Experience is a four-day immersion into one of New Zealand's most remote and pristine areas.

Think ancient rainforests, mirror-like rivers, rare wildlife, and no phone reception.

By day, you hike and jet-boat through Fiordland National Park. By night, it’s gourmet meals and cosy lodges. The trip ends with a scenic helicopter flight over dramatic landscapes that would make Tolkien jealous.

LIVE THE LEGEND AT THE ALL BLACKS EXPERIENCE

You don’t have to be a diehard fan to be moved by the All Blacks Experience in Auckland.

This fully immersive, tech-forward attraction takes visitors on a journey through New Zealand’s proud rugby legacy, covering the All Blacks, Black Ferns, Māori All Blacks, and Sevens teams.

It’s an energising mix of sport, culture and history—all in the heart of the SkyCity precinct.

GET YOUR HANDS DIRTY AT AGRODOME

Just outside Rotorua, Agrodome offers the ultimate Kiwi farm experience. It’s hands-on and perfect for kids: 26 sheep breeds, plus goats, alpacas, deer and more, all waiting to be patted, fed and adored.

Rainy day? No problem. The all-weather farm tours mean the show goes on.

MEET A KIWI, LITERALLY, AT THE NATIONAL KIWI HATCHERY

The National Kiwi Hatchery isn’t just a chance to see New Zealand’s national bird—it’s a working conservation facility where you can watch chicks hatch and learn how these iconic animals are protected.

Since launching in 2008, it’s become the world’s most successful brown kiwi hatchery, with every ticket helping the effort.

RIDE THE RAPIDS ON THE SHOTOVER JET

Described as the world’s most exciting jet boat ride, Shotover Jet has been firing up engines in Queenstown for over 50 years.

Owned by Ngāi Tahu and deeply connected to the local river, it’s the only jet boat ride allowed deep into the Shotover River Canyons.

The ride is heart-pounding and grin-inducing—perfect for anyone wanting a hit of high-octane fun.

STARGAZE UNDER A DARK SKY IN TEKAPO

In Lake Tekapo, where light pollution is practically non-existent, the Dark Sky Project gives visitors a front-row seat to the universe.

From hands-on indoor exhibits to outdoor tours at the summit of Mount John, it’s a beautiful marriage of Māori storytelling and modern astronomy.

“The sky is not just something we look at—it’s part of who we are,” guides explain. And under these skies, that connection feels cosmic.

SPEED TOWARDS HUKA FALLS ON A JET BOAT

Hukafalls Jet in Taupō combines natural spectacle with raw power. What started as a single boat operation in 1990 is now one of the North Island’s top attractions.

The 30-minute ride down the Waikato River includes high-speed twists, 360s and a close-up view of the thundering Huka Falls—water drama at its finest.