Search icon

North Island

Start: Auckland
Locations: Auckland, Rotorua
Duration: 5 days
Distance: 460 kms

The Rotorua Adventure Escape is a five-day self-drive holiday starting and finishing in Auckland, with approximately three hours’ driving each way. It includes four nights in Rotorua, five days’ car hire with insurance, Kaituna River Grade 5 rafting, the Mt Tarawera Volcanic Crater Experience and the Original Canopy Tour. Start dates are arranged on request, subject to availability. The standard itinerary suits active adults and families with teenagers aged 13 years and over.

Raft the Rapids, Walk the Crater, Fly Through the Forest

Take on three different sides of Rotorua: the white water of the Kaituna River, the volcanic ridges of Mt Tarawera and the ancient forest canopy. This five-day escape brings them together with four nights in Rotorua and a rental car for the journey from Auckland.

Feel the rush of Grade 5 rafting, explore the landscape shaped by Mt Tarawera’s 1886 eruption and soar between towering native trees on the Original Canopy Tour. Between adventures, choose your own pace with time for lakeside walks, hot pools or an optional Māori cultural evening.

Make This Rotorua Adventure Your Own

Double up on white water with a raft and sledge combo, swap a forest zipline for geothermal kayaking, or leave more time to unwind in Rotorua’s hot pools. We can tailor the experiences to your interests, fitness and confidence levels, arrange different accommodation or vehicles, and shorten or extend your stay.

For a longer New Zealand holiday, combine this escape with other short stay packages. All activity changes, itinerary adjustments and price differences will be confirmed in your quote.

Which Rotorua Adventure Suits Your Style?

Your package includes rafting, Mt Tarawera and the Original Canopy Tour. Compare these with experiences you can request as replacements.

ExperienceWhat to expectAllow approximatelyMinimum ageHow it fits
Kaituna River Grade 5 RaftingGuided white water rafting, including the seven-metre Tutea Falls2 hours13 yearsIncluded on Day 2
Mt Tarawera Volcanic Crater ExperienceGuided walking over volcanic terrain, with an optional crater descent4½ hours7 yearsIncluded on Day 3
Original Canopy TourSix ziplines, swing bridges and guided forest conservation insights2½ hours6 yearsIncluded on Day 4
Kaituna River Raft & Sledge ComboRaft the river, then tackle rapids at water level using a river sledge6 hours13 yearsAlternative to the included rafting
Private Waimangu Valley Walk & Steaming Cliffs Kayak TourExplore a geothermal valley on foot, then kayak on Lake Rotomahana5 hours5 yearsAlternative Day 4 experience
Whirinaki Forest Day HikeA full-day forest outing with approximately four hours of guided walking7 hours8 yearsAlternative Day 4 experience

Alternative experiences replace an inclusion and may change the package price. Individual activity ages do not override the standard package’s rafting requirement. Weight limits, fitness requirements, seasonal availability and suitable scheduling will be confirmed when arranging your holiday.

  • Four nights’ accommodation in a 4-star Rotorua hotel or motel.
  • Five days’ hire of a Hybrid Intermediate AWD SUV 2L with GO Rentals, collected and returned in Auckland.
  • Fully inclusive rental car insurance.
  • Kaituna River Grade 5 White Water Rafting with Rotorua Rafting.
  • Mt Tarawera Volcanic Crater Experience with Kaitiaki Adventures.
  • Original Canopy Tour with Rotorua Canopy Tours.

Accommodation Options

  • Distinction Rotorua Hotel: Superior Room.
  • Bella Vista Rotorua Motel: Superior Studio.

Car rental from Rotorua, other room types and alternative vehicles are available on request. Your quote will confirm the accommodation, vehicle and rental conditions.

Set in gardens beside Whakarewarewa Forest, Distinction Rotorua Hotel provides a comfortable base for your adventure escape. Return from rafting, hiking or ziplining to enjoy the heated outdoor swimming pool and spa facilities. Complimentary WiFi and free guest parking make the hotel convenient for a self-drive stay.

Superior Rooms

Superior Rooms accommodate up to four guests in two queen beds. Each room includes air conditioning, a refrigerator, tea and coffee making facilities, a television and complimentary WiFi. The ensuite bathroom has a shower over the bath.

Many rooms also feature balconies, with views subject to room allocation.

Explore Rotorua from Distinction Rotorua Hotel

Use your rental car to discover Rotorua’s lakes, geothermal attractions and forest experiences. Guests adding mountain biking can make use of secure bike storage and wash-down facilities. Onsite dining includes Mr Yakitori and D Bar & Restaurant, with meals additional unless specified in your package quote.

Bella Vista Rotorua Motel offers a convenient base opposite Kuirau Park, with complimentary WiFi, free onsite parking and an outdoor barbecue area. Its location makes it easy to explore Rotorua’s geothermal park, cafés and city centre between your scheduled activities.

Superior Studios

Superior Studios accommodate two guests in a king or queen bed. Facilities include a kitchenette with microwave, tea and coffee making facilities, television, complimentary WiFi and an ensuite shower. Accessible bathroom arrangements are available on request, subject to availability.

One Bedroom Units – Available on Request

For additional space, One Bedroom Units accommodate up to four guests, with a queen bed in the main room and two single beds in a separate bedroom. Each includes a full kitchen, dining area, air conditioning and an ensuite bathroom with a separate shower and single spa bath.

Explore Rotorua from Bella Vista

Enjoy a walk through nearby Kuirau Park or head out in your rental car for Rotorua’s adventure activities, lakes and forest trails. Continental breakfast is available at an additional cost unless included in your quote.

Deposit and Final Payment

A deposit of NZ$150 per person is payable at the time of booking. The remaining balance is due 45 days before travel.

Cancellation Charges

The following minimum cancellation charges apply, together with any additional charges imposed by individual suppliers:

  • 45 days or more before travel: Full loss of deposit.
  • 8–44 days before travel: 50% cancellation fee.
  • 0–7 days before travel: 100% cancellation fee.

No refund is available once travel has commenced. Individual suppliers cannot authorise refunds on behalf of Go New Zealand. Any refund is at Go New Zealand’s discretion.

Any additional refund approved under our terms and conditions is subject to a 5% administration and processing fee, which will be deducted from the refund amount. For further information on refunds and cancellations, please see Go New Zealand’s terms and conditions.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is highly recommended for your holiday.

Frequently asked questions

Velocity Valley’s restrictions vary by activity, so check the requirements for each ride you want to try:

  • Swoop giant swing: Minimum height 115cm. Children under 8 years must ride with an adult. Maximum weight is 150kg for a solo rider or 270kg combined for riders swinging together.
  • Freefall Xtreme: Minimum age 5 years, with a weight range of 20–110kg.
  • Agrojet: Minimum height 100cm.
  • Shweeb Racer: Participants must be between 130cm and 200cm tall.
  • Vertigo freefall: Minimum age 10 years, with a weight range of 45–110kg. Participants aged 15 years and under require parental or guardian consent.

The Velocity Valley Family Pass lets families share rides and choose activities to suit different ages and confidence levels. Each participant must still meet their chosen ride’s restrictions. For individual ride choices, see the Velocity Valley One Ride Pass, Velocity Valley Two Ride Pass or Velocity Valley Four Ride Pass.

Yes. No previous rafting experience is required for the included Kaituna River Grade 5 White Water Rafting. Your guide provides a safety briefing, explains the equipment and teaches you the paddling techniques before heading onto the river. An average level of fitness is recommended, and you should feel comfortable following instructions throughout the adventure.

Rafting and the Original Canopy Tour usually operate in rain, with suitable equipment provided. High river levels, strong winds, thunderstorms or other unsuitable conditions can affect departures. Follow your operator’s updates, and we will help arrange itinerary changes if an included activity cannot operate.

Yes. The Velocity Valley Four Ride Pass lets you mix and match Agrojet, Freefall Xtreme, Swoop and Shweeb Racer, including repeating a favourite. For example, you could enjoy Swoop twice, then try Agrojet and Shweeb Racer. Each turn counts towards your four rides, and the usual participation restrictions apply.

Digital photos taken by your guides are included with the Rotorua Original Canopy Tour. Rafting photo packages are available to purchase separately, while optional media packages can also be added to your Velocity Valley Family Pass. Check what each package includes before purchasing, so you can take home your favourite action shots.

Sign up to our newsletter for special deals & exciting news.