Soaring over the canopy: Ziplining in Rotorua
My heart pounds and my knees wobble as I walk down the stairs that lead off the ledge. I briefly wonder whether I’m really attached properly, take a deep breath, step off the stairs into thin air and….
Wheeeeeeee!
I zip past tree trunks, so close to me I keep hands and feet close to my body, the lush trees around me melt into one blurry green tunnel. Then, suddenly, I emerge from the tunnel and find myself high above the trees, flying over a bushy valley as if I were a bird. Wow!
Ziplining in Rotorua has been on my personal bucket list pretty much since I moved to New Zealand in 2017. But as with so many bucket list items, I never booked it, for reasons I cannot remember now. It’s taken me almost four years to finally experience the Ultimate Canopy Tours at Rotorua Canopy Tours! Was it worth the wait? Well, let’s see…
Wheeeeee! Ziplining in rotorua is heaps of fun!
I rock up at the Rotorua Canopy Tours HQ on a gloriously sunny winter afternoon. A few days earlier, the weather forecast promised torrential rain for the day, another proof you should never plan around forecasts in New Zealand and instead be prepared for everything.
Next to a group of elderly friends and a young couple, I’m the only solo zipper in our group today (Chris and our dog Bailey stayed at home). We’re kitted out with harnesses and helmets, as well as jackets for those who need one and get into the bus that brings us to the starting point.
Before we zip through the canopy there’s a bushwalk
We walk through the forest on a path while our guides tell us more about the almost 200 types of ferns we have in New Zealand. We learn about the unique wildlife that inhabited the land before the worst of predators (us humans) arrived and hunted the biggest animals for food until many were extinct. Additionally, over time, we introduced non-native predators into New Zealand, some by accident (the rats came with the boats), others on purpose (ie stoats to kill the rats, possums for the fur). With no natural enemies, these predators soon became a pest.
These non-native animals not only breed much faster than native ones, but they’re also a huge threat to the already decreasing population of native wildlife and bush. Rotorua Canopy Tours’ mission is not only to show us a good time hanging on wires. Since they purchased the land where the ziplines are located, they caught an incredible number of pest animals, helping native flora and fauna to recover back into the state before humans arrived and messed it all up. Looking around, I’d say they’re off to a great start, everything looks lush and the bush is alive with birdsong.
Feeding the birds was so special! can you spot the little guy hovering near my hand?
It is then time for some action above the ground. A door opens up right onto the first swing bridge. We get a first impression of how wobbly these bridges can be and how high up we’ll be. What looks like a grassy area deep below us are really the canopies of our national tree, the Silver Fern.
I see a wooden platform on a tree and ask our guide if this platform was de-continued as it looks a little rough and scary without rails around the platform. No, I’m informed, this is indeed the first zipline platform of the Original Tour and our platforms were going to look exactly the same.
Some of these platforms are scary! At Rotorua canopy Tours
That’s where my heart first starts fluttering. While I’ve been ziplining before (in Queenstown and Costa Rica), all the platforms I’ve zipped from and to before were either on the ground or surrounded by handrails. The thought of standing on a platform 20-ish meters above the ground with no rails for security makes my palms sweat.
I don’t get a lot of time to think about it, though. Before I know it, I’m standing on my first un-railed platform. We do get attached to a wire around the tree with our harness, so there’s no real danger of falling off the platform. But it doesn’t make it look any less scary, and for the first couple of platforms, I press myself tightly to the tree.
Looking down the zipline platform
The ziplining itself is just spectacular! After my first, slightly insecure, round of zipping, I’m hopping off the platforms like a pro. The guides tell us where we need to be careful about close trees and branches and on which ziplines we can goof around. I love soaring through and over the Rotorua canopy like a bird.
My favourite ziplines are the slower 220m long line over the valley with the amazing views and the following 400m long dual zip. If you bring a mate you can race each other and see who reaches the end first. As I’m flying solo this time, I can’t race anyone but it doesn’t diminish the experience in any way.
pretending to be brave while clinging hard to the rails. it doesn’t look like it but it’s 50m down from here
Once used to the platforms and loving the ziplines, I believe everything would go just swell for the rest of the tour. Turns out I’m still terrified of stumbling off the platforms. It shows again on the Rocky Cliff Walk, a narrow boardwalk around a volcanic cone, 50 meters above the ground. And one more time on the No Rails Bridge, another very wobbly suspension bridge where the ‘handrails’ are more of a visual aid than one to keep you sturdy. Both challenges take all of my focus and tiny steps, my heart pounding up to my ears. But hey, I made it!
view from above…
…and from below. last challenge at rotorua canopy tours
The last challenge is another leap of faith. The only way to get off the 18-meter platform is by abseiling. Turns out it’s only half as bad as I expect and actually pretty smooth. If I ever get a second round of this ziplining course, I’d totally go upside-down spidey-style as they suggested. But I’m just too big a wuss to do on my first try.
So, was ziplining in Rotorua really worth the 4-years wait? More often than not, the longer you wait and paint pictures in your head about how awesome something is going to be, the more disappointing the real experience turns out when you finally get to do it. Not with Rotorua Canopy Tours! I loved every moment of the Ultimate Tour! Yes, every moment, even the ones that made me a bit nervous. The real fun begins outside of one’s comfort zone and I do like to push mine every now and then. It’s totally worth it!
Since this Rotorua zipline tour is now ticked off my bucket list, my new bucket list item now is to zip every zipline in New Zealand and report which one is the best. Bring it on!
Have you been ziplining in Rotorua before or anywhere else in New Zealand and the world? How was it for you? Spill!
dual ziplining in rotorua
What’s the difference between the Original and the Ultimate Tour?
Rotorua Canopy Tours offers two tours. The Original Tour is, as the name suggests, the route that was created first. The Ultimate Tour adds a bit more oomph to the thrills by creating longer ziplines and scarier swingbridges. Both tours include a bushwalk and let you feed the native birds.
Since its launch in 2012, Rotorua Canopy Tours have won multiple awards, most recently topping the worldwide list of nature and hiking experiences in a Tripadvisor survey of 2021.
Original Canopy Tour
3 Hours inclusive of driving times
6 Ziplines 600m total
The longest is 220m
Swingbridge 50m
Conservation trail walk
Free photos
Restrictions: Max weight 120kg, min age 6yrs, 15yrs and under must be accompanied by adult 16yrs and over
Ultimate Canopy Tour
3½ hours inclusive of driving times
6 Ziplines 1200m total
Longest is 400m tandem
3 suspended swing bridges, longest is 70m
50m high rock cliff-face boardwalk
Spiral staircase up around a tree
18m abseil (controlled) to the ground
Free photos
Restrictions: Max weight 120kg, min age 10yrs, 15yrs and under must be accompanied by adult 16yrs and over
What’s the weight and age limit?
Kids from 6 years of age can join the Original Tour. For the Ultimate Tour, there’s a minimum age of 10 years. Any children under 15 years need to be accompanied by a responsible adult (16 years and over).
The maximum weight is 120kg.
eyes on the target: rotorua ziplining
How fit do I need to be to zipline in Rotorua?
Moderately fit. You’ll have to walk in gear for a while on the ground through the forest and up in the trees. The most challenging parts would be the stairs from ground level to the canopy and crossing the No Rails Bridge but no one is rushing you. We had someone in our group who’s had surgery on both knees and they managed to get through the tour perfectly fine.
How safe is the zipline in Rotorua?
As safe as it gets. Every group is thoroughly safety briefed and double and triple checked before the first zipline. Rule Number 1 is “Do NOT touch the metal”, meaning especially the ziplines and any metal pieces attached to your harness.
Every zipper is secured to the line with two separate belts (if that’s what they’re called..) and only the guides attach you to the zipline. When landing on a rail-free platform, you’re detached from the line and instantly re-secured to a line around the tree. You’d have to act very silly to fall off (and no, this is not a dare).
safety briefing before gaining higher ground
Is Rotorua Canopy Tours dog-friendly?
No…and yes!
While dogs can’t join the tour for obvious reasons (flying dogs anyone?), you are more than welcome to bring your dog with you to Rotorua Canopy Tour’s base. The amazing people at the office are more than happy to look after your (well-behaved) furbaby while you’re on tour and they even have a dog run available, too! So you enjoy ziplining while your dog gets all the pats, attention and love from the staff.
Rotorua Canopy Tours: What to wear?
Sturdy shoes for walking and zipping, definitely nothing that slips off your feet (meaning no jandals, sandals and the likes)
Long pants or shorts. Jeans are uncomfortable when it rains as they stay soaked for much longer than hiking pants or leggings.
Jacket as it can get chilly and breezy in the forest
Rain jacket if rain is in the forecast or in winter. If you don’t have one, you can borrow a rain jacket from Rotorua Canopy Tours.
Can I bring my phone or camera?
You can. Make sure your phone and camera can be safely secured in your pockets (with zipper) or on a selfie stick on your wrist. If you drop it, it’s gone.
Some of the helmets have GoPro mounts and if you don’t have your own GoPro, you can rent one from Canopy Tours Rotorua and later keep the SD card.
The guides also take pictures of the group during the tour which can be downloaded for free after the tour.
one of the swing bridges on the ultimate tour
Is it possible I get stuck halfway through a zipline?
Yes. People who are light run a higher risk of not making it all the way through (as was the case in our group one time). But not to worry, the awesome team of guides won’t leave you hanging and reel you in quickly and safely.
Where is Rotorua Canopy Tours?
Rotorua Canopy Tours is located on Fairy Springs Road, almost opposite the Skyline Gondola.
Coming from Rotorua, it’s a little tricky to get to them as they’re on the other side of the road and you can’t just turn off. The easiest way is probably to drive up to the Skyline intersection and turn there to get to the other side of the road.
Coming from outside of Rotorua, pass Skyline and you’ll find Canopy Tours a few meters further down on your left.
Location:
Rotorua Canopy Tours
147 Fairy Springs Road
Fairy Springs
Rotorua 3015
Why not make it a Rotorua getaway? On our very own booking website Weekend Getaways NZ, you’ll find getaways of 1 - 3 nights as well as discount codes for your favourite attractions, tours and accommodation all over New Zealand!
Read more about Rotorua:
Read more about the best attractions in Rotorua
On a budget? There are a lot of FREE things to do in Rotorua.
Trying to decide which geothermal park you should visit? This article compares all of the geothermal parks in Rotorua to help you find the right one.
After exploring the parks, soak in one of the many geothermally heated hot pools and spa in Rotorua.