Rotorua, New Zealand: Where having an adventure is absolutely necessary

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.

2. Luge & Skyline Gondola 

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:

-Tamaki Maori Village

-Mitai Maori Village 

THE RUGBY WORLD CUP: A Long Weekend in New Zealand for Adventure, Sports Thrill, and R&R

This year, New Zealand hosts the 2011 Rugby World Cup throughout the north and south islands in various sports arenas. If you know a thing or two about rugby, then you'd know why New Zealand is a suitable host.  For one, rugby is New Zealand’s national sport and their home team “The All Blacks” have a pretty reputable winning history. What hockey is for Canada is what rugby is for New Zealand…life! 

The World Cup has been held six times since the 1987, with Australia and South Africa each winning two of them. Each match is like a United Nations run-up; teams from around the world compete on the field while their culturally colorful fans heighten the energy on the stands. Only during the Rugby World Cup will you see a semi-naked French fan in blue body paint waving around a baguette. What ever happened to team flags and noise makers?


World Cup goers definitely get a taste for world culture in each match. The NZ “All Blacks” start each game with a traditional Maori war dance called the “Haka”. The dance is intended to intimidate the opposing team, but also give recognition to New Zealand’s native people. Games kicked off in Auckland with the All Blacks vs Tonga on September 9^th and will continue through late October.

So who are the rugby fans? 

The national airline…

This kid

Grandma and Grandpa (but not mine)

 And now: ME!

Still don’t know what I’m talking about? Watch the 2009 movie “Invictus” starring Matt Damon. The entire story line is about the South African team who were the 2007 World Cup qinners… You’ll learn a little about South African politics while you're at it.

Not a rugby fan yet? No Problem. Not-so-rugby-fans can explore what the scenic New Zealand has to offer. Believe it or not, New Zealand invented a few of the dare-deviling adventures we know today like bunjee jumping and zorbing. New Zealand has something for everyone from the adventure enthusiast to the nature-hating prim and pampered soul. (I’m a little bit of both) Thus, it made sense to make it a "long weekender" trip.

Despite the 15+ hour flight, a half day pitstop in Australia, and the acquired zombie feeling from all the travel time, watching my first rugby game in the heat of the biggest championship was well worth the long trek and sore bum. It is currently New Zealand's spring time, which is the equivalent of a mild San Francisco winter. And with our luck, it rained for the first time in months during the match between France and Canada. Fans say that the poor weather gave Canada a “lucky advantage” (they still lost).

Tips to maximizing your stay: 

1. Rent a car: The games are spread out throughout the north and south island if you choose to catch a few.  You can tour much of the north island in a few days, and store your luggage (or yourself) in the back in case you can't find a hotel. Many of the scenic lookout points are a good 2-4hr hike and take much of your day if you choose to do by foot.
   
2. Choose a different hotel each night: I was able to explore majority of New Zealand in 4 days though I had to choose between one of two major cities: Auckland and Wellington. I opted for Wellington which gave me the opportunity to take the long scenic drive through Napier, Hastings, Rotorua, and Taupo. You might be as lucky as to score the same hotel as one of the teams (We did!)
   
3. Pre game! Alcohol and food can get pricey at the stadium. Enjoy a pre-game drink and food and nearby venues. You'll make friends to hang out with after the game (pending you both are rooting for the same team)