Rotorua: The adventure capital of North Island, New Zealand
New Zealand's action capital? —
Rotorua, a town on New Zealand's North Island, offers everything from stunning landscapes to extreme adventure.
Tourism Rotorua
The Redwoods —
The Redwoods, or Whakarewarewa Forest, offers more than 170 kilometers of trails for hiking, biking and running suitable for all abilities.
Graeme Murray/Tourism Rotorua
Best biking trails in the south —
With ferns, geysers and hot pools dotting the itinerary, it's no surprise Red Bull has said these are the best biking trails in the southern hemisphere.
Tourism Rotorua
Skyswing —
The Skyswing at Skyline Rotorua is one of the scariest attractions around. A three-seated swing is hoisted 50 meters above ground. Passengers then need to pull the release, which will send them swinging at speeds of up to 150 kilometers per hour.
Tourism Rotorua
The face of fear —
Challenge: As you're catapulting out over Rotorua, see if you can pull an even more terrified face than this dude.
Tourism Rotorua
Rotorua Treewalk —
The Rotorua Treewalk has the world's longest suspended bridge course of its kind. The 30-minute ecological walk is a series of 21 suspension bridges that weave through the majestic 110-year-old Redwood trees.
Tourism Rotorua
Zip lines —
Rotorua Canopy Tours is the only native forest zip line canopy tour in New Zealand. A portion of the funds from each three-hour tour goes to forest conservation.
Tourism Rotorua
Waterfall rafting —
Tutea Falls on the Kaituna River is the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world -- measuring a frightening seven-meter drop.
Tourism Rotorua
Scenic volcano flyover —
Scenic flights by helicopter or floatplane with Volcanic Air include tours to Whakaari or White Island. Pilots take the exact same routes as geological surveyors of the volcano.
Tourism Rotorua
Thermal spas —
Soaking in the Deluxe Lake Spa at the Polynesian Spa is a great way to unwind and complement a day of activities.
Tourism Rotorua
Mudding —
Mudding in action at Hell's Gate. In addition to the hot healing waters, visitors can take guided tours of the surrounding thermal landscape.
Tourism Rotorua
A nation of luge lovers —
The Luge at Skyline Rotorua opened 31 years ago. Since then, luges have swooshed down the hill more than 18 million times. That's more than four rides for every Kiwi.
Tourism Rotorua
Ballers —
Zorbing -- rolling downhill while protected inside a giant plastic ball -- was invented in Rotorua. There are multiple ride options at OGO.
Tourism Rotorua
Skydiving simulator —
At Agroventures you can swing from 40 meters above ground, speed down the world's only monorail raceway, free fall in a wind tunnel (pictured here) and bungee jump from 43 meters high.
Tourism Rotorua
Speed boat tour —
The Agrojet is Agroworld's speedboat. With 450 horse power, it claims to be "New Zealand's fastest jet boat."
Tourism Rotorua
Maori cultural center —
The 60-hectare site of Te Puia is home to the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute. There's a live kiwi bird enclosure, the world-famous Pohutu Geyser and more than 500 natural geothermal wonders.
Tourism Rotorua
4X4 fun —
Off Road NZ is another adventure tour company that provides thrill rides, including a quick 15-minute spin and a bush safari on a 4X4.