Drive about 3 hours south of Auckland and you'll find Rotorua, which is also hands down in my top 10 must visit cities list. If you're an adrenaline junkie or just curious, Rotorua won't disappoint you. It ranks as one New Zealand's top adventure hubs, and there's no shortage in activities (adventure or leisure).
Fair warning, the city may have won the "Most Beautiful City" award four times in the past dozen years but it smells like rotten eggs here. The strong stench of sulphur lingers in the air from the natural geysers found all over the city. But these smelly geothermal pools make for some great spa treatments.
My top 3 must do adventure activities that is uniquely "Rotorua":
1. Zorbing
Zorbing is (in a nutshell) rolling down a hill in a gigantic inflatable ball, also known as globes. It's surprisingly loads of fun, and I tell everyone going to Rotorua that if you do just one thing here, try zorbing! You have 2 options: trying a "Zorbit", which you are harnessed inside the globe; or a "Zydro" which you are put inside the globe filled with warm water (unharnessed) and slip and slide inside of it while rolling down the hill.
Rotorua proudly claims to have designed and built the "first" Luge system. The rider has full control of this 3-wheel cart as they ride down the slopes of Mount Ngongotaha as fast or as slow as they want. It's similar to go-karting, but the carts are not electric. There are three different luge tracks: scenic (you can even get off at designated spots to take pictures), intermediate and advance, so it's suitable and exciting for all ages.
To get to the tracks you have to take a Gondola up 487 meters above sea level to the top of the mountain. The slow and easy ride provides panoramic views of Rotorua City and Lake Rotorua.
3. Shweeb
Shweeb is what you get when you combine a monorail system with biking. You lay down in a pod that is hanging from a monorail and pedaling around the 600m track as fast as you can. It has 7 gears for you to work with and is completely powered by the driver (yes, you). Team races are available and along with your ride you get a certificate and your rank in your listed country.
Other adventure/sport activities offered in the Rotorua district:
-Bungy Jumping- CLICK HERE for more of my bungy jumping experience in New Zealand
-Skydiving
-White Water Rafting of all classes
-Agrojet
-Swoop
-Freefall Extreme
-Helicopter Rides
-Jet Boats
-Mountain Biking (Rotorua has some of the world's best mountain biking trails)
-Parasailing
Adventure activities aren't you're fancy? No worries! Rotorua has that covered too!
-Geothermal pools
-World class spas
-Waimangu Volcanic Valley
-Sheep shows (live sheep shearing) at the Agrodome
-Maori cultural experiences
Rotorua is also the heartland if New Zealand's Maori culture and they celebrate a deep sense of pride and history. Here are some recommended Maori Villages:
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