12 Best Places to Go Ziplining in New Zealand

Looking for the best places to go ziplining in New Zealand? You’re in the right place because the 12 best zip lines are featured right here. 

From short courses for those just starting out to challenging ones for seasoned adventurers, there’s a course for almost everyone.

Ziplining is a fun way to experience the amazing views and beautiful landscapes of New Zealand from a unique vantage point, and get the adrenaline pumping. 

I’ve enjoyed many of the adventure activities this country has to offer over the last 20 years, including ziplines (also known as a Flying Fox in New Zealand). These are my top places around the country to go ziplining!

Each place offers different experiences and distinct landscapes. You can soar over vineyards, glide through lush forests, over breathtaking valleys and alongside picturesque rivers. Mix it up by going tandem with a friend, add in an obstacle course or even a wine tasting (after you get off the zipline, of course). 

Ready to find out which of these New Zealand ziplines is best for you? To make it easy, I’ve divided the list into the North and South Islands, and noted my top choice for each island just below in case you don’t have time to read the whole thing.

Best Ziplines on New Zealand’s North Island

1. EcoZip Adventures Waiheke (Auckland)

EcoZip Adventures on Waiheke Island is one of the best things to do in Auckland, offering a unique ziplining experience that combines adventure with environmental sustainability.

This one is a great option for first timers, families and groups. The experience includes three zip lines that get longer and steeper as you progress, with the longest being over 200 meters.

There are two zip lines running parallel to each other for each course so you can ride side by side with friends and family. 

I took my parents here when they came for a visit. It was their first zip line experience and they had a blast! There’s even a catch that stops you at the end so you really don’t have to do anything except enjoy the ride. 

The day starts with a ferry ride from downtown Auckland to Waiheke Island. You’ll need to purchase your ferry tickets separately.

Once you arrive on Waiheke Island, you’ll be picked up at the ferry terminal and taken to the EcoZip Adventures zip line site for a quick safety briefing. 

After a leisurely walk through native forest with a knowledgeable guide sharing insights about the island’s flora and fauna, you’ll be soaring over tree tops and working vineyards with stunning views of the island and surrounding sea. 

The experience lasts for about 3 hours and there are several start times to choose from. I recommend booking a time for the morning so you can spend the afternoon at one of the island’s premier vineyards. They even offer a free drop off service to some of the vineyards.

Wild on Waiheke is a great option for families with lots of activities for the kids and a boutique winery and brewery for the adults. 

» Book Waiheke Island Zipline and Native Forest Adventure Trip Here

» Book Your Fast Ferry Pass to Waiheke Island Here

Pro Tip: The ferry boards by your place in line so be sure to arrive early.

2. Coromandel Zipline Tours

📍 380 Driving Creek Road, Coromandel

Coromandel Zipline Tours offers an exhilarating ziplining experience set against the backdrop of the stunning Coromandel Peninsula, one of the best places to visit in New Zealand. 

The tour starts with a train ride up the mountain and features a series of eight ziplines spanning 700 meters (2300 feet) through native forest and over gullies and streams, with breathtaking views of the lush Coromandel landscape. 

Along the way, knowledgeable guides share insights about the local ecology, history, and conservation efforts as you walk beneath the ferns. In fact, part of the proceeds from the tour go toward forest conservation projects. 

Not only did we have a blast on the zip lines, we came away with a deeper appreciation for the natural beauty of the Coromandel region and the efforts made in keeping it that way. 

They cater to various age groups and fitness levels, so it’s an ideal option for families, friends, and adventure seekers alike. The guides make you feel safe and at ease.

Safety gear, wet-weather clothing and transport to the start of the zip lines are provided. Just bring your sense of adventure and a camera!

» Book Adventurous Zipline Tour in Coromandel Here

3. Waitomo Caves Zipline Park

📍 24 Te Anga Road, Waitomo

Most people head to the Waitomo Caves to see the glowworms, one of New Zealand’s top tourist attractions, but did you know you can fly high above the rural landscapes, through native trees and over the limestone caves across 10 zip lines!

You’ll start out on the lower zip lines through native forest and work your way up as they progressively increase in length and height, building your confidence for the grand finale. The last line is an adrenaline-filled 280-meter-long ride where you can reach speeds of up to 80 kilometers per hour!

The longest line takes you to the Waitomo Lookout Point, which has pretty awesome views over the Waikato region. You’ll also get to learn about the local geology and Māori history from your guide along the way. 

This one is a bit more hands on with a few short uphill walks. You’ll be shown how to use the equipment yourself which may seem daunting at first, but the awesome guides keep a close eye on things and help everyone feel confident and safe. It’s a huge sense of achievement getting to that last zip line!

You can choose from a 9am, 11.30am or 2pm start time which provides enough flexibility to piggyback on a Waitomo Glowworm Experience and really make a day of it. 

» Book Waitomo Caves Zipline Tour Here

4. Rotorua Ziplines Ōkere Falls Zipline Over Waterfalls Adventure

📍 761 State Highway 33, Ōkere Falls

There are a few places where you can zipline in Rotorua. Ōkere is a small town located just outside of Rotorua, about a 20-minute drive. 

What I love about this zip line is how it combines a cultural, ecological and adventure experience all in one. Such a great variety, not to mention you get to fly over waterfalls at speeds of up to 40km/hour which is pretty cool. 

Located in the Ōkere Falls Native Reserve, it’s suitable for a range of ages and abilities with a series of four ziplines, swing bridges and easy walks along a boardwalk from which to enjoy the beautiful environment. 

The action is interspersed with stories about the culture and nature of the local region. At the end, you can plant a tree in your name to help Rotorua Ziplines achieve the goal of planting 100,000 native trees by the end of 2025 through their reforestation project. 

» Book Ōkere Falls Zipline over Waterfalls Experience Here

5. Rotorua Canopy Tours

📍 147 Fairy Spring Road, Rotorua

With over 4,000 five-star reviews, Rotorua Canopy Tours is our favorite zipline in Rotorua, and our top zipline experience on the North Island. 

This eco-friendly adventure has you gliding through the treetops of an ancient forest, providing stunning views of the lush landscape and the chance to experience the unique flora and fauna of the region.

The tour includes a series of ziplines, spanning over 600 meters (1,968 feet) and at speeds of up to 50 km/hour, as well as walking trails that lead through the forest. In between the zip lines you’ll cross swing bridges and perch on platforms high in the canopy of trees. 

Knowledgeable staff share insights about the local ecosystem, conservation efforts, and the significance of the native trees and wildlife. You may even get the chance to feed native birds along the way. 

This Original Canopy Tour is designed to accommodate various age groups and fitness levels.

As a bonus, you’ll get photos of your treetop adventure for no extra charge.  

» Book The Original Rotorua Canopy Tour Here

6. Rotorua Canopy Tours Tandem Ziplining and Cliff Walk

📍 147 Fairy Spring Road, Rotorua

If you want to kick the adventure levels up a notch, this is the ultimate zipline in Rotorua!

Rated as one of the top experiences in the world by TripAdvisor, the Ultimate Canopy Tour takes you deeper into the forest with longer and faster zip lines, and even more challenges. 

In addition to learning about the local ecosystem and conservation efforts from awesome guides, this circuit is set up like an obstacle course. 

In between the 1000+ meters (3,200 feet) of zip lines reaching speeds of up to 80 km/hour, you’ll get to traverse higher suspension bridges, walk around the cliff of a 25,000 year volcano high above the canopy and climb a floating staircase where you can see views out to Lake Rotorua.

You’ll wind your way up a cool spiral staircase built around a tree and share the experience on a 400-meter (1,300-foot) tandem zipline. 

For the dare devils, there’s even an 18-meter (60-foot) controlled descent which is kind of like a vertical zipline.

The views are amazing, and like with the Original Canopy Tour, you’ll get photos of your adventure. 

» Book The Ultimate Rotorua Canopy Tour Here

Best Ziplines on New Zealand’s South Island

7. Ecozip Adventures Kaikōura

📍 11 West End, Kaikōura

Ecozip Kaikōura offers five fun ziplines, ranging from 250 meters (820 feet) to 610 meters (2,000 feet) in length spanning over 2.2 kilometers (1.3 miles), including side-by-side lines to race your friends. 

It’s an exhilarating way to see the spectacular mountain and coastal views of the South Island, including panoramic views of the ocean. 

As an added bonus, the tour starts with a scenic drive along the coast and a river crossing in a funky 4×4 as you make the adventurous journey across a 3000-acre working farm. 

A short walk along a nature trail leads to the first zip line where the adventure begins. Like others, you’ll learn about the local flora, fauna and conservation efforts from guides as you make your way through the various zip lines that are suitable for a range of ages and abilities. 

Kaikōura is also one of the best places in New Zealand to see wildlife such as fur seals, dolphins, whales and even penguins.

To really make a day of it, we recommend booking this Kaikōura Wildlife Kayaking Tour in the morning and the Kaikōura Zipline Adventure for the afternoon which will give you time to have lunch in between. 

Or, if you are staying overnight in Kaikōura, enjoy ziplining on one day and go on this epic Whale Watching Cruise on the other for a chance to experience all Kaikōura has to offer, from the land and the sea. 

» Book Kaikōura Zipline and Native Forest Adventure Trip Here

8. Cable Bay Adventure Park Skywire (Nelson)

📍 194 Cable Bay Road, Hira, Nelson

This one is a little different because instead of a traditional flying fox setup, you’ll be buckled into a racing style seat side-by-side with three others. 

It starts with a short mini-bus journey through the park to the launch platform, with guides sharing interesting stories about the area. 

I was thinking this was going to be pretty tame, until I saw the 5 point harness we were buckled into. Don’t let the comfy seats fool you, this thing goes 100 kilometers (62 miles) per hour, forwards and backwards with 800 meters of gravity-assisted freewheeling from 300 meters above the ground.

It’s a quick but insanely fun ride!

As you make your way along the Skywire, you’ll see views over the forest and farmland from all directions.

The park has other activities such as quad bike tours, mountain biking and paintball, plus a cafe where you can chill out after all the adventuring.

» Book Cable Bay Adventure Park Skywire Experience Here

9. Christchurch Adventure Park Zipline

📍 225 Worsleys Road, Cracroft, Christchurch

If you’re all about speed, this may be the one for you with reports of riders reaching speeds up to 105 kilometers (65 miles) per hour! As a bonus, you’ll get to ride New Zealand’s longest chair lift to the top of the hill. 

Located in the Port Hills of Christchurch, Adventure Park Zipline has four individual side-by-side ziplines. The first two ease you in with a 490-meter and 430-meter long ride respectively. 

Hopefully you’ll be warmed up because the third zip is the highest in New Zealand at a whopping 150 meters (490 feet) high. Followed by the longest zipline in New Zealand at a massive 1.1 kilometers (3,600 feet) long!

You’ll be zipping over the forest, and on a clear day, you can see all the way out to the Southern Alps and Pacific Ocean. Afterward, there’s a nice cafe and bar with an outdoor deck to unwind.

» Book Christchurch Adventure Park Zipline Tour Here

10. Ziptrek Ecotours Queenstown

📍 Top of Gondola, Queenstown

As the adventure capital of New Zealand, ziplining in Queenstown is a must-do, and Ziptrek Ecotours is the place to do it.

What I love most is that they have 3 different courses to suit a range of abilities, budgets and time, plus the fantastic panoramic views of Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables mountain range from the higher lines.

The Kea tour has 6 zip lines which are longer and faster than the other tours, and one of the best Queenstown zipline experiences. For the grand finale you’ll get to fly down the world’s steepest tree-to-tree zipline, 450 meters (1,500 feet) above Queenstown, at up to 70 kilometers (43miles) per hour! It’s 3 hours of pure fun as you fly through the treetops.

The Kereru has 2 zip lines through the forest and finishes with a 68-foot (21-meter) drop. It takes about 45 minutes to an hour, perfect if you are short on time or want a taste of zip lining with a bit of a punch.

Last but not least, the Moa tour is ideal for families and first timers, lasting 1.5 to 2 hours. There are 4 zip lines on this course that start slower and lower to the ground, gradually gaining in height, length, speed and views as you progress. 

The first time, we did the short tour and came away wishing we’d done the 6 lines, so I’d go for that one if you’re up for it. Also, there’s a short but fairly steep walk up to some of the higher lines but nothing too strenuous.

Expert guides will help you every step of the way and share a bit about Queenstown’s history and ecology.

Tours start from the Ziptrek Treehouse at the Skyline Gondola summit and you’ll need to purchase tickets for the gondola separately.

» Book Ziptrek Ecotours Zipline Adventure in Queenstown Here

11. Kawarau Zipride (Queenstown)

📍 1693 State Highway 6, Gibbston, Queenstown

Kawarau Zipride is another great place to experience ziplining in Queenstown, especially for groups, families and beginners. It’s a cool variation of a zipline where you can choose what position to ride in. 

There’s a fully supported seated position for a chill ride where you can take in the views during the 130-meter (426-foot) ride. Or you can kick it up a notch by going superman style, upside down or back to front. 

There are three side by side ziplines so six people can ride at the same time, reaching speeds of up to 60 kilometers (37miles) per hour with incredible views of the Kawarau River and Gorge. 

The ride itself is pretty short which is why we like this package which includes 5 rides. Then you can go multiple times and try the different positions, or split the rides among your group. 

The Kawarau Zipride is located at the Kawarau Bungy Centre, about a 20-minute drive from Queenstown. You can take their shuttle from central Queenstown or drive yourself.

» Book the Kawarau Zipride Here

12. Paradise Ziplines (Glenorchy)

📍 13 Mull Street, Glenorchy

A scenic 45 minute drive from Queenstown is the beautiful charming small town of Glenorchy. Located on the fringe of Mt Aspiring National Park, it’s the perfect place to unplug and immerse yourself in nature. 

Surrounded by mountains, pristine alpine streams and beautiful beech forests, ziplining is one of the best things to do in Glenorchy. It’s a great way to experience the incredible landscapes from a unique vantage point, and gets you further into nature than you can get by car. 

This 8-line Paradise Ziplines course is perfect for beginners with lines in varying lengths and spanning a total of 1 kilometer (3,280 feet). The lower lines traverse over a crystal clear blue stream through the forest.

In between each line you’ll make your way across suspended bridges through the forest to the next platform, as expert guides tell you about local flora and fauna.

The scenery is truly beautiful, and this is a great way to experience it!

» Book Paradise Ziplines Here

FAQs About Ziplining in New Zealand

Final Thoughts

Ziplining is a great way to get the adrenaline pumping while enjoying the beautiful landscapes of New Zealand. It gets you higher and further into the bush than you can get by car, without doing a massive hike. Whether it’s your first time or you’re a seasoned adventurer, there’s a zipline to suit most people. 

The best zipline in New Zealand really depends on your personal preferences and what kind of experience you want to have. As you can see from our list, there are a variety of fantastic places to experience ziplining, each offering something a little different. No matter which one you choose, you’re in for an exhilarating experience in nature.

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