BLOG: Alyce goes Rotorua

Alyce Simpson, from Infinity Holidays in Brisbane, recounts the third day of her Tourism New Zealand and Emirates Mega Famil

After leaving Taupo we headed back north 45 minutes and couldn’t resist the thrill en-route of treating ourselves to a morning thrill ride on the Huka jet boat. AMAZING!

We flew up the Great Waikato River to the base of the infamous and powerful Huka Falls. What a way to wake up.

Our driver was a show-off and was telling all kinds of great tales about the boat, and the Falls themselves. I highly recommend this tour for anyone.

Young, or young at heart – it’s a wicked ride and will definitely get the heart pumping. No bungee required.

Wide-awake, our next stop was Rotorua where we headed up the hill to Skyline Rotorua in the Gondola. After our buffet lunch it was time to hit the luge that I’ve got to say – it brought out the inner child in me. Not that I’m competitive at all, but I nailed the course.

The course had wicked views out over the lakes and hills and I highly recommend it.

If, like some of our group, riding the luge isn’t your thing, there is the Volcanic Hill Winery where spectacular views can be enjoyed over a glass of beautiful wine and a cheese platter. Those who did the wine tasting loved it and recommended it.

Hot tip – try the 2012 Sauvignon Blanc.

Next stop was Agroventures, an adventure playground for all ages. Being hoisted up high in a caterpillar cocoon and then pulling the ripcord to swing just centimeters off the ground at high speed was unnerving and exhilarating.

That first SWOOP was amazing!! Wahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!! Mid air suspension wasn’t enough of a thrill however, so it was over to play hamster in the OGO.

A human hamster ball filled with water, the OGO was designed by the same guy who designed the Zorb and was a lot of fun. I went along with 50 litres of warm water sloshing around. Perhaps it would be better to do this before lunch next time.

We stayed at Rydges Rotorua, which had huge rooms, closed in balconies with spas big enough for three people. I was in Alyce heaven. The beds were the best I had in NZ, so comfy; it was like sleeping in a marshmallow.

We headed to the Tamaki Maori Village, an interactive show with an amazing traditional hangi dinner at the end. It was incredible, and really opened my eyes to the wonderful NZ culture and the pride they have in their heritage.

It’s absolutely a must-do for everyone visiting Rotorua. It’s entertaining, interactive and the food at the end, it was just awesome.

The meat and veggies, all cooked underground were perfection, and people were helping themselves to seconds, and even thirds.

To top our night, we headed to the Polynesian spa where we relaxed our weary bodies in the hot thermal pools and chatted about the days’ adventures and when we were done headed to our comfy beds to sleep like logs.

It was a killer day but just a word to the wise – take a spare change of clothes – these activities can get a little damp.