It's Christmas, someone's got a birthday, there's an anniversary or you're just wanting to do something special for someone. How about the gift of a Rotorua experience that is memorable but won't break the bank? Even better, experiences are great for those last minute Christmas shoppers (hint hint!). So here's a few ideas we hope will help make it easy for you. Seasons Greetings everyone! Redwoods Treewalk or Nightlights Gift Voucher or Annual Pass A daytime discovery like no other, walk high amongst giant 120-year-old redwood trees and open your eyes to the natural beauty of this amazing forest. The tree top walk takes an average of 40 minutes to complete and is a Rotorua must-do. For a totally different experience the Nightlights Treewalk transports you to a captivating world of colour and light, where forest and fantasy come alive. Annual pass is also a great gift idea, fantastic value! https://www.treewalk.co.nz/ Skyline Gondola and Voucher for Volcanic Hills Winery Volcanic Hills Winery sits at the top of the gondola at Skyline Rotorua. Wine can be enjoyed with a magnificent view of Lake Rotorua, city and area. Vouchers for the winery are available for purchase online and can be redeemed at the Volcanic Hills Winery Tasting Room (or online). Packages for return gondola ride and wine tasting for 5 wines are an option when purchased at the bottom of the gondola or on the Skyline Rotorua website. https://www.skyline.co.nz/en/rotorua/ for gondola gift voucher. https://www.volcanichills.co.nz/product/volcanic-hills-gift-card/ for Volcanic Hills Winery gift voucher. Waikite Valley Hotpools Gift Voucher Waikite Valley Hotpools provide the opportunity to relax and experience the pure geothermal waters from Te Manaroa Spring. Soaking in our mineral rich geothermal water filled with calcium, magnesium, silica and lithium is like having a multivitamin for the skin. Choose from free choice vouchers, a private bathing for two, family general admission, or spa plus experience for two. Free choice vouchers are redeemable for any products within the Waikite Valley Hotpools complex. That’s ideal for those who want to give the gift of an overnight stay in the campground. Don’t forget, anyone staying in the campground has unlimited access to the geothermal hot pools. https://www.hotpools.co.nz/thermal-pools-rotorua/gift-vouchers For more food related gifting ideas, check out our blog on where to eat in Rotorua for families. https://www.hotpools.co.nz/x,967,5684,3016/where-to-eat-family-guide-to-rotorua.html Geyser By Night (at Te Puia) When darkness falls the true love story of Rotoru’s geothermal wonderland comes to life. Guided by torch, this tour includes seeing carvings throughout the valley, and if you’re lucky, hear the call of the native Kiwi in their outdoor enclosure. A traditional maori desert will be shared with you in front of Ngararatuatara, an impressive, boiling cooking pool. Then finish off the evening with Pohutu Geyser, the largest geyser in the southern hemisphere. https://www.tepuia.com/te-puia-experiences/geyser-by-night/ Zorb Superman dive into a giant inflatable ball and roll down Mt Ngongotaha in a ZORB where the fun will have you laughing uncontrollably. Think of it like a giant water slide, 40 litres of water, with no tumbling involved, just full on belly laughs from top to bottom. Choose from single ride vouchers or combo ride vouchers. https://zorb.com/about-us/gift-vouchers/ Paradise Valley Springs A superbly presented New Zealand trout, bird, and wildlife park along with a pride of African lions. Set amongst peaceful and well maintained native New Zealand bush. A world away from hustle and bustle but just 15 minutes from Rotorua city. https://www.paradisev.co.nz/ Katoa Jet Feel the rush of adrenaline as high powered jet boat engines blast you over the water at 85km/h and experienced drivers throw the boats into 360 degree spins. Visit iconic landmarks around Lake Rotorua, and learn the history of the area, the people and events that have shaped Rotorua into the cultural capital of New Zealand. https://www.katoalakerotorua.co.nz/jetboating/ Waimangu Volcanic Valley - Self Guided Walk and Boat Cruise This amazing valley has to be seen to be believed. A no brainer gift for all those budding geologists (or volcanologists). Experience spectacular volcanic craters, enormous hot water springs, beautiful geothermal features, rare and unusual plant life, brilliantly coloured microbiology and a wide array of birds. https://www.waimangu.co.nz/gift-vouchers Secret Spot Looking for a fun and creative gift, treat loved ones to an idyllic hot tub soak in the forest. Soak in your own cedar hot tub surrounded by native ferns. Each hot tub accommodates up to 6 people, with drinks delivered directly to your hot tub at the push of a button. Hot tub experience includes a 45 minute soak and a free ‘shinny dip’ foot hot tub. https://secretspot.nz/gift-vouchers/ Whakarewarewa Village One of New Zealand’s most unforgettable experiences, Whakarewarewa - The Living Maori Village is the legacy and home of the Tuhourangi Ngati Wahiao people, who have been sharing their unique way of life with visitors for over 200 years. Explore an authentic Maori village where people live on a daily basis, using geothermal resources to cook, bathe and heat their homes as they have for centuries. Lots of options to choose from, most popular is the guided tour (1 hour duration). https://whakarewarewa.com/experiences/
Redwoods Treewalk or Nightlights Gift Voucher or Annual Pass
A daytime discovery like no other, walk high amongst giant 120-year-old redwood trees and open your eyes to the natural beauty of this amazing forest. The tree top walk takes an average of 40 minutes to complete and is a Rotorua must-do. For a totally different experience the Nightlights Treewalk transports you to a captivating world of colour and light, where forest and fantasy come alive. Annual pass is also a great gift idea, fantastic value!
https://www.treewalk.co.nz/
Skyline Gondola and Voucher for Volcanic Hills Winery
Volcanic Hills Winery sits at the top of the gondola at Skyline Rotorua. Wine can be enjoyed with a magnificent view of Lake Rotorua, city and area. Vouchers for the winery are available for purchase online and can be redeemed at the Volcanic Hills Winery Tasting Room (or online). Packages for return gondola ride and wine tasting for 5 wines are an option when purchased at the bottom of the gondola or on the Skyline Rotorua website.
https://www.skyline.co.nz/en/rotorua/ for gondola gift voucher. https://www.volcanichills.co.nz/product/volcanic-hills-gift-card/ for Volcanic Hills Winery gift voucher.
Waikite Valley Hotpools Gift Voucher
Waikite Valley Hotpools provide the opportunity to relax and experience the pure geothermal waters from Te Manaroa Spring. Soaking in our mineral rich geothermal water filled with calcium, magnesium, silica and lithium is like having a multivitamin for the skin. Choose from free choice vouchers, a private bathing for two, family general admission, or spa plus experience for two. Free choice vouchers are redeemable for any products within the Waikite Valley Hotpools complex. That’s ideal for those who want to give the gift of an overnight stay in the campground. Don’t forget, anyone staying in the campground has unlimited access to the geothermal hot pools.
https://www.hotpools.co.nz/thermal-pools-rotorua/gift-vouchers
For more food related gifting ideas, check out our blog on where to eat in Rotorua for families.
https://www.hotpools.co.nz/x,967,5684,3016/where-to-eat-family-guide-to-rotorua.html
Geyser By Night (at Te Puia)
When darkness falls the true love story of Rotoru’s geothermal wonderland comes to life. Guided by torch, this tour includes seeing carvings throughout the valley, and if you’re lucky, hear the call of the native Kiwi in their outdoor enclosure. A traditional maori desert will be shared with you in front of Ngararatuatara, an impressive, boiling cooking pool. Then finish off the evening with Pohutu Geyser, the largest geyser in the southern hemisphere.
https://www.tepuia.com/te-puia-experiences/geyser-by-night/
Zorb
Superman dive into a giant inflatable ball and roll down Mt Ngongotaha in a ZORB where the fun will have you laughing uncontrollably. Think of it like a giant water slide, 40 litres of water, with no tumbling involved, just full on belly laughs from top to bottom. Choose from single ride vouchers or combo ride vouchers.
https://zorb.com/about-us/gift-vouchers/
Paradise Valley Springs
A superbly presented New Zealand trout, bird, and wildlife park along with a pride of African lions. Set amongst peaceful and well maintained native New Zealand bush. A world away from hustle and bustle but just 15 minutes from Rotorua city.
https://www.paradisev.co.nz/
Katoa Jet
Feel the rush of adrenaline as high powered jet boat engines blast you over the water at 85km/h and experienced drivers throw the boats into 360 degree spins. Visit iconic landmarks around Lake Rotorua, and learn the history of the area, the people and events that have shaped Rotorua into the cultural capital of New Zealand.
https://www.katoalakerotorua.co.nz/jetboating/
Waimangu Volcanic Valley - Self Guided Walk and Boat Cruise
This amazing valley has to be seen to be believed. A no brainer gift for all those budding geologists (or volcanologists). Experience spectacular volcanic craters, enormous hot water springs, beautiful geothermal features, rare and unusual plant life, brilliantly coloured microbiology and a wide array of birds.
https://www.waimangu.co.nz/gift-vouchers
Secret Spot
Looking for a fun and creative gift, treat loved ones to an idyllic hot tub soak in the forest. Soak in your own cedar hot tub surrounded by native ferns. Each hot tub accommodates up to 6 people, with drinks delivered directly to your hot tub at the push of a button. Hot tub experience includes a 45 minute soak and a free ‘shinny dip’ foot hot tub.
https://secretspot.nz/gift-vouchers/
Whakarewarewa Village
One of New Zealand’s most unforgettable experiences, Whakarewarewa - The Living Maori Village is the legacy and home of the Tuhourangi Ngati Wahiao people, who have been sharing their unique way of life with visitors for over 200 years. Explore an authentic Maori village where people live on a daily basis, using geothermal resources to cook, bathe and heat their homes as they have for centuries. Lots of options to choose from, most popular is the guided tour (1 hour duration).
https://whakarewarewa.com/experiences/