Your time to zipline!
Adventure (noun): an unusual and exciting or daring experience
An exhilarating mix of adrenalin, speed and nature, ziplining is sweeping the world as a fun, safe alternative for thrill-seekers wanting to experience the sensation of flying. Editor Melinda Collins heads up the hill to check out the ziplining facilities at Christchurch Adventure Park and tells us why this should be your next epic adventure.
Action-packed, adrenalin-inducing adventure is there for the taking in the heart of the striking pine forest of the Port Hills that frames the city’s southern stretch. But Christchurch Adventure Park stands head and shoulders above the rest and not just because of the spectacular terrain that looks right out across the city.
Christchurch Adventure Park is the first lift-accessed, four-season mountain biking operation in the world featuring a chairlift specifically designed for mountain bikes and their riders. The long-awaited park opened just before Christmas 2016, boasting bike trails for all levels of riders, a mountainside café, ziplines and more than 120km of bike routes.
Although the network of advanced, intermediate and beginner trails on 358 hectares of land between Dyers Pass, Summit and Worsleys Roads was the jewel in its crown, the Christchurch Adventure Park is out to prove it is not just for mountain bikers.
A new zipline product, The Long Ride – which is the last and longest zipline in the tour – has been launched just in time for the summer holidays. It offers a quicker option for zipliners, taking about an hour to complete compared to 2-2.5 hours the full tour takes.
The full tour offers not just one but four great zips – each one of them something a little bit different. The first one offers sweeping panoramas which seem to stretch forever, while the second prepares you for the third, which is the highest in New Zealand – 150 metres! Meanwhile the fourth takes you above and through the trees for just over a kilometre!
The new zip isn’t all that’s new up the hill. Four new intermediate bike tracks have recently been incorporated amongst the trees below Dyers Pass Road, aimed at helping intermediate riders progress their skills, bolstering the already spectacular track network.
There’s even a walking trail that can be accessed from the village car park. From the top, you can take a free chairlift back down to the village. Check the website for access requirements christchurchadventurepark.com.
Absorb the stunning views from the chairlift or walking track; take in the stunning machine and hand-built mountain bike trails or just chill out on the large deck of the Adventure Park Café nestled in the pine forest. There’s something for everyone here – not just the thrill-seekers!
Top 4 reasons ziplining should top your bucket list
Challenge yourself
Ziplining is a great opportunity to challenge yourself and see just what you’re capable of. It is one of the safest outdoor activities available, but you still get the rush of cruising down the highest (150 metres!) and the longest (more than one kilometre!) zipline in New Zealand.
Adrenalin junkies
Team building exercises encourage meaningful connections among your employees while building a social network within your company. There’s nothing like a shared adrenalin experience to bring people together.
Flights of fancy
Humans have been crazy about flight since the beginning of time. And seeing as we haven’t figured out a way to grow wings yet, a trip through the Christchurch Adventure Park on a zipline is the next best thing!
Accessible action
You may not have headed up the hill yet because you’re not keen on the sweat, blisters and achy muscles that come with a mountainside bike ride but, accessible to everyone, ziplining is a great way to get the best of both worlds from an afternoon in the outdoors.
Who to take?
Ziplining is the ultimate escape right here in the city and Christchurch Adventure Park can accommodate groups, so grab a group of friends ‘just because’ or get in touch if you have an event coming up:
– Work colleagues
– Sports teams
– Wedding parties
– Reunions
– Icebreaker with in-laws!
A family pass is the ultimate stocking filler and gift vouchers are available!
www.zipchristchurch.com
www.christchurchadventurepark.com
