Adrenaline is the 'fight or flight' hormone, created in your adrenal glands and released into the bloodstream when your body perceives itself to be in danger. It's purpose is to increase the supply of oxygen and glucose to the brain and muscles,getting you ready to defend youself or run. Done properly it starts off with butterflies in your tummy and ends up with snakes. Otherwise known as a rush.

Why New Zealand?

Famous for It's iconic landscape, sheep and hobbits, New Zealand is also the first place one associates with adrenaline highs. When it comes to scaring the living daylights out of yourself and your mates at ridiculous heights and speeds - the Kiwis do it best.

Here is our list of the top 3 adrenaline rushes in New Zealand

1. The Skywire in Nelson This is unbelievable: Imagine an EXTREME ski lift. You are strapped into a 4 chair high tech carriage. This chair is launched out over the forest valley for about a mile at speeds of up to 100 kmph some 150 metres above the ground!! All this whilst stunning local scenery whizzes along beneath you. There's nothing like it anywhere else in the world. If you're looking for a rush - don't miss this!
2. Canyon swinging in Queenstown Yes, it's just as it sounds - This is the world's highest swing, 109 metres off the ground over the famous Shotover River Canyons in Queenstown. Strap yourself into a full body harness and freefall head-first (If you want!) 200 feet down into the canyon. This is not like your common or garden bungee jump, here your drop is complimented by the 200 metre arc swinging action. Don't worry, you'll only be travelling at around 150kmh by this point...
3. Skyjumping in Auckland Bungee jumping is soooo 1997. So you're stood on top of the Auckland Skytower. You're wearing your 'flying suit' and you're staring down at the city of Auckland from 192 metres high. Do you really need me to tell you what to do next? This is a 16 second free fall. Yes, it's on a rope, but 16 seconds? Try counting that in your head and imagine falling off a building for that long! These people...

There are hundreds of other ways to get the adrenaline pumping in New Zealand, including all the classics like bungee jumping, white water rafting and skydiving but I thought it was worth highlighting these rather extreme and unique ways to pass a Sunday afternoon so you know what not to miss if you ever get out there.