3 Best Sights in Upper South Island and the West Coast, New Zealand

There's a ton of fun on this 1,600-acre farm a 10-minute drive from Nelson. The Skywire is a mile-long zip line (reportedly the world’s longest) that zooms across a forest-filled gully. Quad bikes climb a bush-lined track for 14 exciting km (8½ miles) before reaching a grand, hilltop ocean view. Horse treks explore the entire farm taking in steep trails and stunning views; they can be tailored depending on your riding ability. Then there’s paintball, Argo (all-terrain-vehicle) rides, and the Base Café to replenish at the end of it all.

There are few places in the world where you can find a natural gas flame, but this is one. In an ancient forest setting near Murchison, there’s been one quietly glowing since the 1920s, and this tour company has sole access rights. The four-hour tour involves a short, scenic drive, education about local oil drilling and farming, a one-hour backcountry walk (you might get wet feet) through farmland and forest to the flames, and a hot brew and pikelets cooked up on the natural fire. Tour groups are restricted to ten people. Booking ahead is essential.

Ngati Waewae is the iwi (tribe) of this area, a subtribe of the South Island Ngai Tahu. The iwi owns and carves all the pounamu (greenstone) at this center. The artists will reveal how every stone has a story. If you buy a piece, they will give you its unique code, which you can use to trace the story of your stone on the center's website.