Rough, relaxing, fun, or extreme sports can be found in New Zealand. Let’s start with the rough! Rugby is one of the most popular sports in New Zealand. Rugby was introduced to New Zealand in 1870 by Charles Monro. Rugby is similar to American football and is played by two teams. Each team scores by kicking, hitting, or carrying the ball down the field to the opponent’s goal or touching the back line of the opponent.

Golf is the second most popular sport and one that most golfers find relaxing while forgetting the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Famous golf players from New Zealand are Sir Bob Charles and Michael Campbell. New Zealand has become a major destination for golf lovers worldwide. New Zealand has 400 golf courses. Some of the best golf courses are:

1. The Hills (Queenstown) – this is the best golf area in New Zealand. This area is surrounded by scenic hills and a charming, Alpine lake. The Hills also has several wineries and luxury lodging.
2. Millbrook (Arrowtown) – a challenging, 27-hole golf course.
3. Jack’s Point (Queenstown) – this area is next to Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown. This area has very beautiful scenery with sophisticated golf architecture. This area has a winding route that passes through the tussock grasslands.

For family fun, there is the ever popular cycling in New Zealand. With 23 free and easily accessible cycling trails, you can ride with your family or alone. You can bring your own bike or rent a bike at a bike rental shop. Some popular trails are:

1. The Queenstown Trail – intended for beginners and intermediate cyclists, this track is 99 km long and can be finished in two to three days. It is about ten minutes from the Queenstown Airport. Public buses and taxis go there
2. Hawke’s Bay Trails – has a 187 km of trails. There are three different sections, each a different length and going through different terrain.

If you are an extreme sports lover, there is Sky Jumps, Sky Walk and motorcycling. SkyWalk and SkyJump are part of Sky Tower in Auckland. SkyWalking is walking around the Sky Tower with a harness and a rope on a narrow walkway 192 meters above the ground. SkyJump is similar to base jumping, but you are attached to a wire, plummeting for 192 meters. Motorcycling in New Zealand is a good way to see the beautiful countryside. Popular drives are the West Coast Highway route to Haast Highway and across the Desert Road, which passes the volcanoes in the Tongariro National Park. To do this, you must have an international driver’s license – International Driving Permit (IDP).

For all your overseas sports activities check out Good Neighbor Insurance at our website www.gninsurance.com for your medical and travel needs. Or you can contact one of our insurance specialists at 866-636-9100 and ask about specific sports riders. May you find whatever sport you want from the relaxing and fun to the rough and extreme on this big, beautiful, wonderful planet!