Rotorua, Family Activities

If you want to experience the thrill of flying through the incredible surrounds of native New Zealand forest, then Rotorua Canopy Tours can provide you just that.

The Ultimate Tour is bigger, faster and longer than The Original Tour. The 3.5 hour experience consists of 1200m of ziplines, an 18m abseil, swingbridges, a 400m long zipline, a 50m high cliff walk and spiral staircases! This is the ultimate way to explore the treetops and the breathtaking lake views.

Relive the sounds, sights and smells of a time before men left their indelible imprint upon nature. This is New Zealand in all of its glory and you will never forget it!  Minimum age 10 years.

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Velocity Valley is home to the innovative Shweeb – the extremely fun invention that can best be described as a bicycle in a bubble! It consists of a see-through pod – suspended under a 200 metre long monorail track – which is powered solely by your pedalling effort as you lay back in a comfortable seat.

The Shweeb riding experience gives you the chance to compete against family, friends or even the clock, over a 600 metre race (three laps). You have seven gears to work through, which gives you the potential to reach up to 50 kilometres per hour and achieve 60 degree swings around the bends in the challenging and exciting track.

As you quickly weave your way around the monorail track, you will experience terrific farmland scenery, as well as views of Velocity Valley's other interesting and unique attractions.

Minimum height 1.3m

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Famed for being one of the most authentic Māori experiences in New Zealand, the Mitai Māori Cultural Experience transports you back to a time of sacred ritual, honour, trial and triumph and includes the world renowned Fairy Spring, the waka (Māori war canoe) paddle-by, the haka and other traditional dance, a traditional hangi feast, a magical glow worm tour and an evening bush walk that encompasses a talk about Māori bush medicines.

 

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Velocity Valley's experienced, professional jet boat drivers will quickly turn your nerves into thrills as they expertly navigate their way through multiple hot laps of the 1km Agrojet sprint course. You will experience 3 G's of force and 100km an hour speeds as your driver negotiates islands, sharp turns and sweeping bends. With the wind in your hair and your heart in your throat, you will experience the thrill of a lifetime before your driver finishes off with the famous roaring 360-degree Hamilton Jet spin.

Minimum height 1m.

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Stepping foot inside the traditional Māori village re-enactment is like stepping back in time to an era when New Zealand tribes were developing, claiming land, forging alliances and exacting vendettas against enemies. The surrounding Tawa forest sets the atmosphere as you approach the village.

In the meeting house you will be entertained with celebrations and whaikorero (speeches) along with the exciting and intimidating war dance haka, waiataaringa (action songs), graceful poi and more.

You will be guests of honour at the wharekai (fully equipped dining room), where you will enjoy a traditional ‘hangi’ feast (foods cooked beneath the ground) as well as a sumptuous desert – all buffet style.

Child rates for 5-9 year olds and 10-15 year olds. Plus under 5s are FREE.

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Explore the rich and scenic history of Rotorua in a 'duck' amphibious vehicle. The WW11 Military landing craft is great fun, and with the famous 'conducktor', you'll have the time of your life exploring the many lakes and estuaries of Rotorua.

Rotorua City & Lakes Tour
Discover local landmarks, including the Museum, Government Gardens, Lake Rotorua, Mokoia Island, Geothermal Sulphur Point and Blue baths, as well as a multitude of picturesque and gorgeous surrounding areas.

Tarawera & Lakes Tour 
This two hour tour heads straight into the action of the 'splashdown' on Lake Okareka. From there, you will journey to the sacred Lake Rotokakahi (green lakes), before seeing the spectacular views of the volcanic domes of Mount Tarawera. While there, you will be entertained with an informed story on the destructive eruption of Tarawera in 1886.

Child rates for 2-16 year olds.  Free for under 2s.

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Come experience two of our most thrilling adventures jam-packed into one combo. 

Start off easy with the Swoop, the 40-metre high giant gravity swing or jump straight into it and leap from the 43 metres high Bungy tower.

Swoop is a 40-metre high giant swing, taking 1, 2 or 3 people at a time. You will be placed in a modified harness and hoisted 40 metres into the air. At the 40 metre mark, you will be counted down and on the count of 3, you will pull the release cord to start the swing. 

Bungy: looking down from a height of 43 metres, you will realise that the time has come to jump. Be sure to take in the gorgeous views of the farmland, Lake Rotorua and Mokoia Island before taking a leap of faith over the edge. You fly over the amazing, glittering Ngongotaha Stream before taking a refreshing dunk!

 

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Rotorua Canopy Tours – New Zealand’s only native forest zipline canopy tour – allows you to experience the wonders of the ancient New Zealand native forest in a totally unique and exciting way.r

Your three-hour journey meanders through the treetops via walking trails, swing bridges, platforms and ziplines/ flying foxes at heights of up to 40 metres above the ground! The high platforms – attached to 500 year-old trees up to 22 metres high – will take your breath away as you gaze down at unexplored valleys; while the tight openings through the forest sub canopy will make you feel as though you are exploring an ancient, mythical world. The six ziplines will add an exhilarating edge to your journey, with some up to 40 metres above ground level and up to 220 metres long. The tree-to-tree swingbridges will delight you, with some spanning up to 50 metres long. There’s truly no better way to explore the beauty of New Zealand’s native forests!   Minimum age: 6 years

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Waimarino’s kayaking tours are the only tours in the world who offer the unique combination of glow worm sighting and sea kayaking. Launching out into the crystalline waters of Lake Rotoiti, you will see the glorious cascading native flora, full of bustling birdlife and other native creatures. The ruby-red vibrancy of the native NZ Christmas trees (Pohutukawa) enhances the vista.  Upon entering the glow worm cave, you'll feel pure awe as you gaze upon the galaxy of glittering glow worms. Their sticky-threaded snares sparkle like drops of diamond in the dark.

After you enjoy more of the phenomenal Lake Rotoiti scenery, you have the option of relaxing in the healing Manupirua thermal hot pools!
This two-hour paddle is a truly tranquil yet fascinating tour.  The tour includes commentary on the myths and legends of the lake and how it relates to the Maori people.

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Looking down from a height of 43 metres, you realise that the time has come to jump. In order to build up courage, you look around and take a deep breath. You are ready by the time you hear the experienced, reassuring jumpmaster yell ‘three, two, one… BUNGY!’

Velocity Valley – which holds host to Rotorua Bungy – is located only 10km from Rotorua city and is easily reached by car or bus. Rotorua bungy offers solo and tandem jump from 43 metres high, so you can brave it alone or terrify a friend at the same time. A congratulatory certificate is awarded to every jumper upon completion of their jump.

Minimum age 10, minimum weight 35kg.

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ZORB – it sounds like some type of futuristic extreme sport, but it’s really quite simple and a total ‘ball of fun’. Downhill ball rolling, as it is also known – involves you turning yourself into a human load of washing, inside a huge inflatable ball, that is ‘gently’ flung down a hill. If this sounds like your type of thing, you’re in luck!

ZORB ultimately involves rolling down a hill within an inner capsule, suspended in the centre of an inflatable plastic ball. Since its inception in 1997, ZORB has become as much a ‘must-do’ in New Zealand as bungy jumping or jet boating. Within New Zealand, ZORB Rotorua is the only site that offers Globe Riding, and people from all over the world have travelled to Rotorua specifically for the pleasure of being chucked down a hill in a ball.

ZORB Rotorua offer the brilliant H2OGO (water rides) ride solo, with friends, sliding, tumbling, zigzag or straight and narrow. This family friendly activity (5 years and above) is an excellent choice for a day out and always ensures a ‘rolling’ good time for everyone!

Straight Track 250m
Dive into the ball alone, or with up to three friends for 250m of fun and laughter as you slip and slide down the slope. You can race friends or family with the dual tracks. For an extra challenge, you can try to stay upright and run down the hill!

Sidewinder Track 350m
The twistiest track ever made and the longest in the world! You'll get some speed on the straights before riding up the sides on the bends. You'll have no idea what's happening next whilst inside.

Big Air Track 300m
You will be holding on tight as you fly down three huge drops and swing around bends and thrilling corners.

Mega Track 300m
The worlds longest, steepest and fastest zorbing track. You'll feel the adrenaline starting to kick in as you plummet down this crazy track.  

 

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The amazing Rotorua Swoop is the extreme version of a swing, but with a major difference – the Swoop allows you to free-fall from 40 metres (head first!) and reach speeds of up to 130kmph!

First, you step inside the specially designed hang gliding harness and will be wrapped up in a comfortable cocoon – either by yourself, or with up to two other friends ( the more friends, the greater the thrill). Next, you are raised ever-so-slowly, ensuring that you have plenty of time to build that spine-tingling anticipation and adrenaline. While you’re up there, check out the great view of the surrounding scenery around Velocity Valley, as well as the other attractions; that is, if you can keep your eyes open for long enough! When you reach a whopping 40 metres in height, you are given the okay to pull your own ripcord and – if you can actually muster up the courage to pull the cord – you will begin your long, Swooping descent.   Minimum height 1m to participate.

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Featuring hot-water lakes, New Zealand’s largest mud volcano and the largest hot water waterfall in the Southern Hemisphere, the Hells Gate Valley is the place to be!

You can slather yourself in the warm geothermal mud before jumping in the sulphur pool – with minerals that help to clear and detoxify. This Maori owned valley is both beautiful and bizarre, almost interplanetary in nature, like a scene from Mars.

Hells Gate Geothermal Reserve Walk - allow 1.5hrs
Take a self-guided walk or join a free interactive guided tour  This amazing landscape will captivate your imagination as it bubbles with heat and history. The complimentary Maori carving area lets you leave with a little piece of Maori culture.

Hells Gate Mud Bath & Spa - allow 2.5hrs
Enjoy the Hells Gate Mud Bath and Sulphur Spa for a day of relaxation.

Wai Ora Mud Bath & Spa - allow 2.5hrs
Sit back in a Private Wai Ora Mud Bath before enjoying the Wai Ora Sulphur Spa.

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The clear night skies of Rotorua are the perfect location for Stargazing at the top of the Skyline Gondola. Mount Ngongotaha, the site of the stargazing tour, is one of New Zealand's top 8 locations for stargazing with clear, dark skies covering Rotorua for the perfect experience.

You will be taken to a specially constructed area above the gondola where there is no light to obstruct your experience. With your highly qualified guide you will explore the night skies constellations, looking out for shooting stars and discovering distant planets, visible to the naked eye. The top of the range telescopes will give you the chance to see an array of sights including the Southern Cross, Milky Way, planets and other galaxies.

Child rates for 5-14 year olds. Kids under 5 are FREE.

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Based out of the Mountain Bike Rotorua HQ located at the edge of the world famous Whakarewarewa Redwood Forest MTB park, our guides stand ready to get you out and explore the most extensive mountain bike trail network in the country.  Our beloved forest has options for all experience levels and our professional guides are well versed at catering to all comers - from beginner right through to elite riders.  

The bikes you will use on your Redwood Forest mountain biking tour will be the latest model premium full-suspension, and these will be adjusted to your needs on the day, ensuring total comfort and impeccable safety during your ride. Your mountain biking tour will be customised by your guide on the day to deliver to your group's level of experience so that you all have the most enjoyable time possible.

Family groups and kids welcome (minimum age 8 years).  

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Strap your helmet on tight because you are about to experience pure New Zealand thrills!  These 4WD Bush Safaris, Monster 4X4 Thrill Rides and Raceline Karting are considered some of the best – if not the best – self-driven, off road vehicle experiences in New Zealand.

4WD Bush Safari - self drive ~ every second of this safari is filled with fun and action!  Minimum age 5 for passengers.

Monster 4X4 Thrill Ride ~ driven by a professional driver. You will be white-knuckled as you are taken up over near-vertical slopes, tackle the ‘Widow Maker’ and the ‘Loggers Long Drop’. Definitely one for the thrill seekers.
Minimum age 14, minimum height 1.2m

Raceline Karting - self drive.  This ground-hugging kart will make the speeds seem that much faster as you tackle the track – which includes an exciting 150 metre straight.
Minimum age 14, minimum height 1.2m

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One of NZ’s most visited historic sites; Te Wairoa was literally buried in the 1886 eruption of Mt Tarawera. Volcanic ash preserved many of the buildings and other features of the village and visitors today can get a rare insight into 19th-century NZ life.

It’s an awe-inspiring and moving experience that is put into context by displays in the award winning Museum of Te Wairoa.

The 12 acre park-like setting is filled with tall trees, meadows and native birds offering visitors a peaceful and emotional experience at the same time.

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If ever a tourism operator lived up to its catch-cry of speed, spins and adrenaline, it’s Katoa Jet. Offering a wide range of adventures to choose from we offer something for everyone.

Get prepared for a thrill ride on Lake Rotorua that guarantees an unforgettable experience.  Also on offer is Parasailing. Katoa Jet operates a purpose built Parasailing boat . Either tandem or solo ten minute flights on Scenic Lake rotorua.

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Enjoy a different look at Rotorua on-board the Lakeland Queen, the only stern wheel paddle boat and large cruising vessel operating on the iconic Lake Rotorua. With two deck levels that can accommodate up to 200 seated guests in comfort, the cruise offers a truly unique dining experience.
The Geothermal Lake & Dining Cruise options include Breakfast, coffee, lunch and sometimes dinner options. Departing from the Rotorua Lakefront visitors can enjoy spectacular lake views only accessible by boat including the mystifying geothermal area of Sulphur Bay with its milky white lake water, the bird sanctuary of the volcanic rock lave dome known as Mokia Island and reflective views of the city centre. The outdoor viewing platforms on both levels allow for fantastic photo opportunities.

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A fun, leisurely bicycle journey throughout central Rotorua. Departs everyday at 10am and 2pm, visit 27 locations that best represent the historical, geological and cultural identity of Rotorua. Offers all day bike hire for the family too.

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