Holiday fun for All

The weather is improving and it’s time to get out and about. Trying new things fosters creativity and keeps our brains and bodies active. We have a list of accessible activities ranging from walks to extreme activities such as skydiving.

Walks

Whether you are looking for a short walk or all-day action, we are lucky to live in a country where nature is on our doorstep and we have incredible scenery to enjoy. The Department of Conservation has compiled a list of accessible walkways throughout New Zealand. They have included information about the levels of access so it's well worth a read. Click here for more information on North Island and South Island walks.

Museums and other activities

If browsing through history or viewing New Zealand through an artistic lens is more your thing then you should check out the comprehensive list of more sedate activities that BE Accessible has on their website. They run the BE Welcome programme which helps businesses become more accessible. It is important that you look at the level of accessibility displayed on the BE website as a Bronze level may indicate that they don’t have wheelchair access. Click here to find an activity near you.

Skydiving

Tandem skydiving is something that many people enjoy. My friend has very limited arm and leg movement but decided to do a tandem skydive as a fundraiser. She thoroughly enjoyed this one-off experience. There are skydiving operators throughout New Zealand. Check out: Skydive Bay of Islands, Taupo, Franz (Franz Josef Glacier), Queenstown, Abel Tasman and Auckland.

Fishing

Some piers are easily accessible and there are operators who can take people of varying abilities, so this is something worth checking out. Using a wheelchair I have had some fun getting onto boats; one Christmas I spent an afternoon on the Taupo lake, with the help of some kiwi ingenuity, so it is do-able, depending on the operator.

Whale and Dolphin watching

Perhaps a more relaxing pastime is heading out on the water and doing a spot of whale and dolphin watching. There are four locations throughout New Zealand where you can whale-watch, including: the Marlborough Sounds, Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf, the Bay of Islands and Kaikoura.

For accessibility information we would advise you to contact the individual operators directly in the area to find out the level of access they provide to ensure it suits your needs.

Please note, as everyone's accessibility needs vary it is advisable that you contact and speak to the relevant operator and make sure you check any guidelines provided on their websites.

We make it easy for you to find, book and pay for the supports you need. If you need some support to access these activities feel free to list a job or contact our Customer Engagement team on 09 887 9777 or email hello@mycare.co.nz.