Why Migrating To New Zealand Was Meant To Be

Still and Aussie at heart but I can truly say ‘The decision to migrate to New Zealand about a year ago has never made me so happy!’ For those who knew me and as my parents would attest that I could never sit still for a very long period of time. Whether it was a toddler climbing on kitchen cupboards, playing community sports in school or working in a job, I could never just settle.

I’m not saying this to brag but more so that when people ask me why I decided to move here, it was simple – I just wanted a change and New Zealand felt like the right place at the right time, it is after all known as the ‘Adventure Capital of The World’. It was close enough that I could fly home and visit family and friends whenever I wanted being a 4 hour flight away and there were many places worth exploring in New Zealand for an adrenaline junkie like myself.

Since being here I have met some of the nicest people and made many friends, done things I never thought possible and generally just enjoying a more relaxed way of life. There are so many great spots to skydive, surf, snowboard/ski, bungy jump, canyon swing – the list goes on. The choice to settle in Queenstown was an easy one and I was surprised to find Queenstown movers on short notice, Queenstown is a great little town that is as beautiful in summer as it is in winter.

The activities here are absolutely world class and it is like a playground for people of all ages. If you ever visit Queenstown, the 15,000ft tandem skydive is one not to be missed, enjoy a 20-minute scenic flight with incredible views before reaching altitude, your body, mind and soul will experience sensations like never before, followed by 60 seconds of freefall in pure bliss before the chute is deployed to hover above the landscape giving you time to soak in what just happened. Operated by NZONE Skydive, the company has been operating for 30 years with over 350,000 jumps! They have fully qualified instructors and top safety records so you can rest assure you are in good hands.

One of my favourite things about New Zealand is that it’s relatively small so you can road trip around and take in all the different scenery. There are so many places to jump out of a perfectly working plane here including Auckland, Abel Tasman, Lake Wanaka Fox Glacier, Tauranga, Bay of Islands, Rotorua, Franz Josef and Taupo, and I intend to do them all!

To those thinking about making the move – Do It! You won’t regret it!

The 5 Best Places to Skydive in the World

The five best places to skydive in the world are not in any particular order. They all have a certain quality that makes them worthwhile. These are places that will make you feel ecstatic and exhilarated.

Waialua

If you’re looking for the best Hawaiian skydiving experience, Waialua is the place for you. This small town is home to some of the world’s best planes and most dedicated tandem skydiving instructors. You’ll also be treated to beautiful landscapes and majestic views. Plus, it’s one of the cheapest places in the world to go skydiving.

One of the most beautiful spots to skydive in the world is Hawaii, a non-contiguous state full of lush greenery and towering volcanoes. You can get a great thrill from a jump at fourteen thousand feet in this beautiful setting, and the best part is it only costs $300.

Lauterbrunnen Valley

If you’re looking for a scenic skydive, the Lauterbrunnen valley in Switzerland is the place for you. The valley boasts deep gorges and cascading waterfalls that make it an incredibly scenic location to skydive. Skydivers can even be dropped over glaciers! With 14,000ft and 45 seconds of freefall, you’re guaranteed to have time to soak up the scenery of the Swiss Alps. There are high-definition photo and video packages available and there are unbeatable specials for groups, students, travelers and backpackers.

Mt. Everest

One of the best ways to experience this remote mountain is to skydive in Nepal with Mt. Everest as the perfect backdrop. Mount Everest is the highest peak in the world and forms a natural border between Tibet and Nepal. The experience is extremely exciting, jumping from a AS350 B3 helicopter from 23,000 feet is pure adrenalin. Taking in the picturesque landscape of the Himalayas, landing at the Himalayan dreamlands Syangboche (12340ft) and Amadablam Basecamp (15000ft) is certainly one of the thrilling experiences one can enjoy.  It’s also important to know that you will need to land fast, because the altitude makes it harder to breathe. Fortunately, oxygen will be supplied on the plane to make the experience as safe as possible.

Mount Cook National Park

A spectacular backdrop for skydiving is Mount Cook National Park in New Zealand. You’ll get panoramic views of the Tasman Sea, rainforest, rivers, and lakes. Experience the sight of snow-capped mountains and glaciers of Aoraki/Mount Cook. This place is a relatively close location to Wānaka, the home of New Zealand’s epic skiing and snowboarding.

The national park is a favorite of skydivers worldwide with it’s magnificent scenery and accomodates skydivers on 9,000ft, 13,000ft and 15,000ft drop with the experience of up to 65 seconds freefall at 200km/h. The scenic flight takes 15-20 minutes to altitude and 3-5 minutes under canopy. The scenery from skydiving over the park is breathtaking, and there are many different photo packages available to capture your moments in the sky and makes the perfect setting for an unforgettable experience.

Snohomish Country Washington

Snohomish Country is located in Washington State and is one of the most beautiful skydiving locations in the world. The site features beautiful scenery of Mt. Rainier, Mt. Baker, the Puget Sound, the Cascade and Olympic Mountain ranges, the Seattle skyline, Victoria, and the San Juan Islands. During a 30 minute class you’ll get accustomed to the whole process including operation and safety features of the tandem equipment. You’ll also practice with your instructor the exit from the plane, body positioning for freefall, parachute control, and the proper landing position. There are 10,000 and 14,000 feet to choose from with Skydive Snohomish and the company has been ranked one of the best places to skydive in the world by Travel Channel and Seattle Magazine.