DAY FOUR
What to do?
My youngest son had been greatly anticipating this day’s activity: mountain biking in Whakarewarewa Redwoods Mountain Biking Park, home of one of the world’s top trail networks. We geared up with Mountain Bike Rotorua (Waipa State Mill Rd.). My son, who’s an avid mountain biker, was pretty impressed with the full-suspension Giant Trance bikes. For the record, the rest of the family are complete novices, but the beauty of this park is that it caters to all skill levels. The folks at Mountain Bike Rotorua directed us to trails that challenged my son without putting me in a leg cast. To get to some of the higher trails, there’s a fair amount of climbing; if you’re not physically able, stick to the lower trails, which still provide plenty of challenge. Full suspension bike rental cost: $43/2 hours; $65/4 hours; front suspension and kids bikes available for less. Front or full suspension e-bikes are also available. If you’re feeling a bit apprehensive, you also can opt for a mountain biking tour through MTB.
KidTripster Tip: For an extra fee, you can ride a shuttle to the top of the trails and then bike down. But if you only have a few hours, there’s plenty of good biking easily assessed from MTB.
KidTripster Tip: If you’re traveling in a campervan, know that there’s plenty of parking here. Also, the facilities have nice private showers to use after your ride.
After you grab some lunch, drive 20 minutes east to Lake Tarawera. Here you can board the Lake Tarawera Water Taxi for a ride to Hot Water Beach, a place where you can dig your own hot tubs along the lakeshore due to all the geothermal features in the area. In fact, the sand is warm enough for fishermen to cook freshly-caught trout! Taxi cost: Youth (under 5) Free; Youth (5-12) $11; Adult $18; advanced bookings are recommended.
When you return, dine at The Landing Cafe (1064B Tarawera Rd.). You’ll enjoy uninterrupted views of Mount Tarawera and a surprisingly diverse menu. The wait staff is attentive, and the portions are satisfying, but be sure to save room for dessert!
End the evening by experiencing the Whakarewarewa Forest in a different way. At night, the Redwoods Treewalk – 22 Californian coastal redwoods linked by 21 suspension bridges – is illuminated with 30 suspended lanterns and dozens of colored spotlights, giving the forest a truly magical feel. This walk is a good one if you have younger kids in your family; encourage your older kids to read the placards that explain more about New Zealand’s flora and fauna at each tree station. The Treewalk starts outside the visitor center. Cost: Youth (under 5) Free; Youth (5-15) $11; Adult $18; Family (2 adults + 3 kids) $50.
KidTripster Tip: You’ll want to do the walk after dusk. In December, that means starting around 8:45 p.m.
KidTripster Tip: If you’ve visited Redwoods National Park, you can probably skip this attraction, as the Redwoods here are not as large as the ones in California.
DAY FIVE
What to do?
With an abundance of rivers, rafting is a popular activity in New Zealand. It’s possible to raft in the Rotorua area. River Rats will even take you down the world’s highest, commercially-rafted waterfall, Kaituna Falls.
But if you want to see more of the North Island, head south to Tongariro River Rafting (95 Atirau Rd.) in Turangi. This company is run by a local husband-wife team. Don’t worry if you’ve never been whitewater rafting; you’ll get a crash course. Plus your guide will be at the helm during your 2-1/2 hours on the river. Our Aussie guide Paul did a great job of coaching us through all 52 rapids. Along the way, there’s time to take in plenty of unspoiled wilderness. The flotilla of rafts also makes a stop at a cliff, where you can opt to jump into the river below. Of course, my sons couldn’t resist. We did the grade 3 rapids trip; there’s also a family float (ages 3 and up), which most tweens and teens probably would find too subdued. Cost: Youth (10 & up) $90; Adult $100.
KidTripster Tip: Try to go out on the morning trip, so you’re not driving back to Rotorua in the evening.
KidTripster Tip: The guides take photos along the way which you can purchase, but you also can take your own GoPro camera. TRR even has helmets with mounts already attached for your use.
KidTripster Tip: Make sure to bring your swimsuit, towel, and change of clothes for after the trip. TRR provides thick wetsuits, wetsuit boots, and windbreakers. You can also opt to wear one of TRR’s polar fleeces under your wetsuit. I did and wasn’t cold at all on the trip. My sons and husband didn’t and weren’t cold either. Your call!
Where to eat?
When you return to Rotorua, head to family-friendly Eat Streat, a collection of restaurants, cafes, and bars at the lake end of Tutaznekai Street. During the summer months, dine al fresco; in the cooler months, the area has a thermally-heated walkway with a retractable roof to ensure that you can still dine outside, if you’d like. You’ll find many ethnic choices here from Italian to Indian. And leave room for dessert at Lady Jane’s Ice Cream Parlour.
KidTripster Tip: Skip the hamburgers in New Zealand! If you love the American classic, you’ll be disappointed by the oddly-textured patties here.
KidTripster Tip: Tipping is not customary in New Zealand. And be aware that you don’t typically pay at your table like in the USA but instead at the cashier or bar.
DAY SIX
What to do?
Ok, I admit that I had my reservations about this one. Part go-cart and part toboggan, the luge at Skyline Rotura is fast. But it’s also a complete blast! Three out of my four family members picked luge as their favorite activity in Rotorua. And everyone can participate. Drivers need to be at least 6 years old and 3-feet, 7-inches tall to luge unaccompanied; younger and shorter kids can ride with an adult.
You start by riding the gondola up to the top of the mountain while enjoying expansive views of Lake Rotorua. Depending on the weather, you may be able to see the steam rising from the various geothermal features around Rotorua. At the top, grab a helmet and get in the first-time rider line. But here’s an insider tip: skip the first luge station and walk to the second station with the other gondola. The first-time rider line here will be significantly shorter. To drive your luge sled, you push the handlebars forward to go; you pull them back to stop. That’s it. There are three tracks: scenic, intermediate, and advanced. Do yourself a favor and start on the scenic run to get comfortable with your sled. As you head downhill, you pick up some serious speed, and the track doesn’t have any barriers. Watch here. But once you make it down, I guarantee that you’ll be racing to the gondola line to go up and do it all over again. When you get to the top, head to the rider line for non first-timers; the shorter one will be at the first luge station. You and your kids will want to take a minimum of three rides. Gondola + 3 rides cost: Youth (6-14) $29; Adult $36; family packages also are available.
KidTripster Tip: Skyline Rotorua is extremely popular and can get very crowded. Go early when the gondola opens at 8 a.m. Or during the summer, you can do night luge until 10 p.m.
Skyline Rotorua also has ziplining, mountain biking, and a ride called Skyswing, similar to Swoop at Agroventures. But honestly, you’re here for the luge.
Where to eat?
After you’ve had your fill of downhill excitement, head to Skyline Rotorua’s Stratosfare Restaurant and Bar for lunch. Yes, this buffet restaurant is pricey, but the view from atop Mount Ngongotaha is unmatched, and the cuisine is actually very good. With two insatiable teenaged boys, our family can get our money’s worth out of a buffet! The restaurant caters to an international crowd, so you’ll find many Asian specialities along with New Zealand favorites on the buffet line that stretches for a mile. My favorite station? Yes, the desserts with cooked-to-order crepes, chocolate mousse, and a wide range of ice creams, including New Zealand flavors like Hokie Pokie. It was one of the best meals that we had in New Zealand. Cost: Youth (under 5) Free with paying adult; Youth (5-14) $25; Adult $46.
There’s a less expensive, à la carte restaurant, Market Kitchen Cafe, as well.
What to do?
Rotorua is a good spot to learn about traditional Maori culture. Normally, I’m not a big fan of luau-like meals and long, drawn-out cultural dance performances. But the hangi dinner and performance at Tamaki Maori Village is well done. And even though your teens may initially roll their eyes, I think that it’s important to expose them to the island’s native culture, if only for an evening. To my surprise, my youngest son actually listed this cultural experience as one of his favorite things about his trip to New Zealand.
The experience starts on the bus ride to the Maori village, which is nestled in a 200-year old Tawa forest outside of Rotorua. Our bus driver gave us a brief history of his people and how they came to discover New Zealand. He then announced that we’d be acting as a tribe for the evening with our own chef; an American dad in our group volunteered for the job. When we arrived at the village, the groups on the other buses acted as individual tribes, as well. Everyone was greeted by the village’s chief and warriors who did their best to intimidate the newcomers. Then each tribe was ushered through a series of stations. Our favorite station was the one where the visiting men – my husband and sons included – learned the traditional Haka, or war dance. Next we watched as our dinner was unearthed and lifted from baking on hot stones underground. After a 20-minute traditional dance performance, the buffet was served. From the time that you’re picked up to the time you return, the experience lasts about four hours. Cost: $244 for a family of four.
KidTripster Tip: Bring a jacket. As the sun goes down, it gets chilly.
