Top 5 Places to Get High (Up)
Sky Tower, Auckland – Critic have bagged it as a giant hypodermic needle – but love it or hate it, the views from the Sky Tower are the loftiest (328m) in town. As you exit the glass-faced lift, a superb 360 º panorama of
Auckland unfolds beneath, stretching over the city and the Hauraki Gulf, and westwards to the Waitakere Ranges.
Cable Car Wellington – Hitch a ride on
Wellington’s bright red cable car and head up leafy Kelburn Hill, high above the bustle of the capital’s streets. At the top, there are postcard-perfect views of the city and harbour, with its old timber houses perched high on the hills and, if you’re lucky, one of the InterIsland ferries making its way into port.
Skyline Gondola, Queenstown – It’s a classic ‘must-do’ in the nation’s adventure capital, but only because it’s hard to beat the incredible lake and mountain views as your ride the gondola to the top of Bob's Peak. Once you step out, the vista is even more jaw dropping - the towering Remarkables framing the horizon and big blue Lake Wakatipu stretches out beneath… where did I put that camera?
Nevis Bungy Platform – The only way you’ll get to enjoy the view from the edge of the Nevis bungy platform is if you’re brave enough to take the bungy plunge – and even then you’ll be upside down for most of it. This is the highest jump in New Zealand, towering 134m above the Nevis River, and it’s one heck of a view on the way down if you manage to keep your eyes open.
Canterbury Plains – Okay, we know they’re flat… but if you jump in a hot air balloon for an early morning flight, the magical vista of golden patchwork plains with the snow-capped southern alps beyond will take your breath away! Not to mention you can enjoy a champagne breakfast when you land.
