Unique adventures in NZ: Stay with a Kiwi

THERE'S more to New Zealand than bungee-jumping and snow fields - we tried out one of the best unique things you could do.

THINK you know what New Zealand is all about? Bungee jumping and heli-skiing, right?

Wrong. There's a lot more to our neighbour across the ditch, and they boast some of the most jaw-dropping, unusual and memorable experiences you can think of.

Anywhere else on Earth, staying with a local might sound a little humdrum. But in New Zealand, what we experienced left our hearts racing.

When news.com.au visited the country, we had big plans: Try out heli-rafting through the spectacular Dennistoun Pass, rafting gloriously down Perth River.

But Mother Nature stepped in, with the rivers flooding at dangerous levels.

Grant "Southy" South from Hidden Valleys NZ delivered the news, looking as gutted as if the All Blacks had just lost to the English. Actually, that also happened. This was one sad Kiwi.

Among the discussions of flying out and staying in hotels, Southy made the best suggestion he ever could have: "You could stay at my little, straw bale house."

This might sound dubious, but it was no plain old house of straw.

Made of compressed straw-baled walls, hemmed in by timber beams and the most incredible bathroom you've never seen (think having a hot shower in the rocky wilderness).

But it got better. Southy's mate Laurie Prouting offered to take us a spin around the neighbourhood.

And Peel Forest in South Canterbury, 150km south of Christchurch, isn't just any neighbourhood. It's the heart of Middle Earth – location for some of the most incredible shots in Lord of the Rings.

Nor was it an ordinary neighbourhood tour – Laurie took us 3000m up to Mt Sinclair on the Two Thumbs mountain range in a helicopter, with doors wide open for filming.

The view at the top, where we pause, is like stepping into a piece of artwork – stunning stuff.

As we fly back down, I'm intrigued by the many feral tahr running beneath us – a feral goat-like animal that's favoured for hunting, but extremely cute as babies up close.

As we make the windy, four-hour drive to Queenstown for our next stop, it's clear that we've all had a blast and don't want to leave.

If you're planning a trip to New Zealand, take the path less trodden and stay with a Kiwi – you never know what you might see.

Hidden Valleys NZ has rafting treks for all levels of experience and fitness. Southy plans to add lodging to his property for rafters to stay on in the spectacular Peel Forest.

Mesopotamia Station can arrange helicopter flights over the region.

The author travelled courtesy of travel.com.au.