Zorbing in Rotorua or Fun in the Human Washing Machine
/“Holey Moley, that was unexpected!” I think, emerging from my first zorbing experience with wobbly feet, thumping ungracefully to the ground while the water from my bubble pours over me. Still slightly disoriented but with a big grin, I pose in front of my ZORB for the ‘I survived zorbing in Rotorua' picture.
Hells yes! Let’s do that again!!
my ‘i survived my first zorb’ picture
For years, I’ve been driving past ZORB Rotorua on my way in or out of town, catching quick glimpses of the big plastic balls rolling down the hill. Observing them from afar, it looked nice but not that fast or overly exciting. Maybe to go with kids, I thought, but it’s probably nothing for adults to enjoy by themselves. So I never properly considered going zorbing. Until one day, when I coincidentally met ZORB’s ops and marketing managers while looking at a hotel for work and they spontaneously invited me to finally try zorbing. I’m SO glad they did! It completely changed my view (thanks, ladies!).
The site at Zorb Rotorua
...or make it a Weekend Getaway
Zorbing in Rotorua
After arriving at the ZORB site, I check in and then get changed into my swimsuit. ZORB is basically a water park. Although it doesn’t look like your average park as there are no water slides, just grassy tracks. Because I have plans to go to Secret Spot later that day, I happen to have my swimsuit in the car.
I get plastic wrist bands, one for each ride, and then hop into their bus to be taken up the hill by the lovely staff. Sitting in the lovely warm spa bath, I enjoy the view while my first ZORB is being prepared. It’s a lovely day, not too cold for the early stages of winter, and the air is washed clean from recent rain. From my pool, I overlook Lake Rotorua and Mokoia Island.
Before I have time to check out more of the view, my ZORB is ready to roll. Usually, they like to start people off on the shorter Straight Track to see how they react to slip-sliding down the hill but because I’m a little short on time (it was all very spontaneous, after all), I get thrown right onto the Sidewinder Track.
The only way to get into the ZORB is by superman-diving head first through the small hole in the ball. I’ve seen it before in videos and thought it was just to look cool. But that’s how everyone gets in there, no matter their age or coolness-factor. Unlike the people in the videos, I don’t look so sharp hopping in. I get stuck with my legs and have to wiggle my way in, like a fish on land that’s trying to get back into the water.
I’m clearly enjoying my little bubble
Once in my little bubble, the entrance gets closed off with a zipper so that neither the water nor me accidentally slip out of the ZORB halfway down the track. Then the barrier holding back the ZORB opens and off I go, about to be proven that zorbing is anything else but boring.
Slipping and sliding down the hill in a ZORB
It started off relatively relaxed. After a second or so I figure out how to best position myself and start enjoying the ride, thinking that’s not too bad. The ZORB accelerates, hits the first corner and that’s the beginning of the end of every sense of direction I believe to have. I slip and slide down the hill, sometimes forwards, sometimes backwards (who can say), trying to keep my eyes open while water splashes in my face and all over me. That’s what my laundry in the washing machine must feel like!
off i go, zorb balling
I whoop and laugh and swallow gulps of water as my little bubble zig-zags down its track, looking slow and cute from outside but feeling full throttle when you’re in it. And man, it is fun! I did not not expect the rush of exhilaration overcoming me and I know that now I’m hooked!
After six corners (really, was it only six??) my ZORB stops softly at the bottom of the hill. Slightly wobbly and a little woozy I emerge from my bubble. Extremely ungracefully but with this massive grin on my face.
The guys ask me if I want to take a break in the spa bath for a bit but I am pumped and so up for the next round! I’ll relax later. Back in the bus I hop, soaked as I am, up the hill, into the hot pool while waiting for my next ZORB to be prepared.
zorbing in rotorua or life inside a giant washing machine..?
Next up is the Big Air Track. This one combines Sidewinder’s corners with three drops that give me awesome butterflies, similar to a rollercoaster. Despite the name I’m told that the ZORB doesn’t actually catch air...but it certainly feels like it.
Higher! Faster! Mega Track! The Mega starts higher up than any of the other tracks, is much steeper and goes down in a straight line. Once the ball starts rolling, it only takes about 15 or 20 seconds to reach the bottom, that’s how fast it goes. The water swooshes and gushes around me like a washing machine at full speed one last time and just like that, it’s over. Aw!
there’s just no way you can look good getting out of this zorb, better leave your vanity at home.
Looking back, I’m so glad I was invited to go zorbing. I was completely wrong in my assumption that it was just for kids and maybe their parents to tag along. Zorbing in Rotorua is exhilarating, fun and an absolute must-do when visiting Rotorua, for families and groups of adults alike! Promise!
View from the top of mega track over lake rotorua and mokoia island
A little FAQ about zorbing in Rotorua
What is Zorbing?
Basically, it means rolling down a hill in a big inflatable ball. A bit of water is filled into the ZORB to make sure you slide properly, rather than tumbling down the hill head over heels. Dive head-first through the round entrance, make yourself comfortable and off you go.
ZORB was invented in Rotorua and is owned by its original inventors.
Your tickets to zorb
Why is Zorbing fun?
Because it’s a one-of-a-kind waterpark! If you like going down closed waterslides, you will love zorbing! I know I did! However, if you're claustrophobic you might not enjoy it as much as you sit in an enclosed space with limited visibility and the entrance closes with a zipper to keep you and the water in.
How many tracks are there?
Four tracks are waiting for you to be conquered:
Straight Track (250m)
This is the track you usually start with to ease into the feeling of downhill ball rolling. You can pack up to three people in one ZORB for this one or ride it dry on colder days (in the DRYGO).
The straight track has two lanes, meaning you can race your friends and family.
Sidewinder Track (350m)
The twists and turns on the Sidewinder are more intense than what they look from outside. Forget trying to figure out which way is up. As soon as you hit that first out of the six corners, that’s it with your orientation.
Up to three people can ride together.
Big Air (300m)
The name Big Air stems from the three drops on this track, making you feel like you actually catch air. A proper rollercoaster feel for your stomach.
Up to two people can ride together.
Mega Track (300m)
This one is fast! Straight like it’s smaller sibling, Mega is the highest and fastest of the four ZORB rides.
Up to three people can ride together.
Zorbing in rotorua is heaps of fun
Is Zorbing in Rotorua safe?
As long as you stay within the age and weight restrictions, don’t suffer from any medical conditions or act silly in the ZORB, zorbing in Rotorua is as safe as it gets. As with anything you do in life, a small risk always remains.
How long does it take to ride all tracks?
Put aside about an hour to do all the rides, better 1.5 hours during busy times. That way you won’t have to check the time, get to relax in the spa pools between the rides or play some games.
down the sidewinder i roll
Won’t it be cold?
Not really. You might get a little chilly for a very brief time when you walk from the hot pools to the bus at the base, from the bus to the spa bath at the top and from the spa bath into the ZORB. The water in the ZORB is warm in winter and cool in summer.
What if you want to stay dry?
On colder days, usually in winter, you have the possibility to zorb in a DRYGO. A DRYGO ride feels similar to the water rides but instead of you riding in the water, the water sits between the outer and the inner skin of the ZORB. That way you won’t go tumbling down the hill head over heels and it still feels like a slide.
Because it can get pretty stuffy in the ZORB without the water, DRYGO only operates on cold days.
Hot tubs at the base of zorb rotorua
Where else can you go Zorbing?
If you want to go zorbing in New Zealand, Rotorua is the place to go. Not only because it was invented here but also because there is no other place that offers downhill ball rolling.
What to do after the Zorbing session?
Well, you’re already wet... Why not jump into your car and head to one of the many hot pools and spas in Rotorua for some relaxation after the wild fun? Kids will be happy at the family pools at Polynesian Spa, or you can relax in one of their other pools. For a warm soak with drinks served to the hot tub by the push of a button, Secret Spot is your place to go.
The Zorb crew is awesome!
How to get to ZORB Rotorua
From Rotorua city centre, follow the road signs towards Ngonotaha and Auckland. After passing the Rotorua Skyline, ZORB Rotorua is a few hundred meters further on your left.
Coming from Auckland, once you turn right at the big (Ngongotaha) roundabout, you can easily spot ZORB on the right side of the road.
Location:
ZORB Rotorua
525 Ngongotaha Road
Fairy Springs
Rotorua 3015
New Zealand
Make it a Rotorua Getaway!
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