Queenstown Rafting | Shotover River & Kawarau River I RealNZ

We packed in an unforgettable 40th birthday adventure in New Zealand with some of our dearest friends. A huge thank you to a few incredible companies who hosted us along the way and helped make this journey so special. Waitomo Glowworm Caves – Abyss Tour This was our third time doing the Abyss Tour, and it’s still one of our favorite experiences in the North Island. We rappelled down a 600-foot cave, zip-lined, rafted, and climbed our way out beneath thousands of glowing worms. Truly unforgettable every single time. https://www.waitomo.com Hillary Outdoors The amazing team at Hillary Outdoors invited us to experience their brand-new property. Hillary Outdoors is a non-profit trust that provides outdoor education for youth and adults, focusing on personal growth, leadership, and adventure-based learning. We’re already dreaming up a Bucket List Expedition with Hillary Outdoors. Let us know in the comments if you’d be interested in joining us. https://www.hillaryoutdoors.co.nz Hillbrooke Estate We were incredibly lucky to spend one magical night at Hillbrooke Estate. If you’re looking for a luxury family escape that feels like actual heaven on earth, this is the place! https://www.hillbrookestate.co.nz Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise (RealNZ) We’ve visited Milford Sound on previous trips, but this time we wanted to experience the even more remote and dramatic Doubtful Sound. We booked the overnight boat, enjoyed the majestic fjords, stunning waterfalls, and of course took a dip in the ocean. We cannot recommend this enough. https://www.realnz.com/en/experiences/cruises/doubtful-sound-overnight-cruises/ White Water Rafting in Queenstown (RealNZ) We love white water rafting, and heading down the Shotover River with RealNZ did not disappoint. We tackled Class 4 and 5 rapids and even stayed in the raft.. such an adrenaline rush! https://www.realnz.com/en/experiences/rafting/ AJ Hackett Bungy Jumping Ten years later, we came back to where so many of our adventures began. Garrett and I jumped off the bridge again, and it was no less scary than the first time. A thrilling, once (or twice) in a lifetime experience. https://www.bungy.co.nz TSS Earnslaw Sunset Cruise and Dinner (RealNZ) This was a brand new experience for us and ended up being one of our favorite evenings in Queenstown. We cruised aboard the iconic TSS Earnslaw, enjoyed a farm-to-table dinner, toured the farm, and watched a sheep dog show at sunset. https://www.realnz.com/en/experiences/day-cruises/tss-earnslaw-lake-cruises/ New Zealand continues to have my heart for its beauty, its people, and the unforgettable adventures!