ZORB Rotorua Photos
Recommended Reviews - ZORB Rotorua
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Wowza. Super fun activity ! Totally safe and I'm over age 55! Wear a bathing suit. No glasses or cameras inside zorb. You will get 100% wet. You are driven to top of course. I suggest barefoot n bathing suit. Your zorb gets filled w a few gallons room temperature water. That's the lubricant. Then you dive in and get zipped up via a porthole. The they launch you and you spin n bop down the course laughing and sloshing about. Afterwards you are assisted out like a birth canal. Legs first tho. Then into the hot tub. To warm up n go again. The zorb is emptied and it takes a lift up to the top. Each zorb w water weighs about 140kg plus your weight. Go do this it's very fun!

I had been waiting 21 years to try Zorbing so the hype was real! Somehow it surpassed all my expectations. I first saw Zorbing as a kid on the TV show Rocket Power. From the outside it looks like the balls roll down the hill slowly but when you get in...it is complete mayhem. Tip of the day - bring a swimsuit and a long sleeve shirt meant for surfing and a towel. We went on a sunny day in the summer but it was windy so the zorb conveyor belt was not working. The high wind also meant that we had to wait for it to be safe for the Zorb to go down the hill and not off course. In between luge rides you are just sitting around and waiting for the truck to come pick you up. If you add all of those factors up, it gets super chilly. They do have hot tubs at the top and the bottom of the hill but you can't sit in them if you are waiting in line to get picked up by the truck. The long sleeve shirt will also protect your back from getting scratched up by the flap that covers the hole in the zorb. I would also bring a gopro - the video that I got of my wife and I inside the ball is hilarious. You have no grip so we just kept rolling and falling on top of each other. We did 3 different rides and were in the ball together each time which I'd recommend. It was one of the best things that we did in Rotorua.

Zorbing was one of the main things that people said I had to do in Rotorua. I've seen it before on people's pinterest boards under their "Bucket List". So having the opportunity to do it, I jumped at the chance. The location looks small. It's just a big hill with these HUGE plastic balls. They have an inner ball inside for you to sit in. They have 2 types of zorbing: with water or strapped in and flipping over. I decided to do the strapped in one. As I watched everyone else go down the hill, it looked like they were going so slow but when I was inside it was the complete opposite. It was fast! So much fun! I also brought my go pro in with me which made for a hilarious video. My friend was brave and decided to do the water one. The only reason why I say he was brave is because it was winter in New Zealand and it was freezing! He said it was fun and it was worth freezing lol I would give this a go if you're in the area. It's quite an experience!
4 months ago
This was one of our favorite parts of visiting Rotorua! We were laughing the whole time and it's an absolute must try activity if you're into adventure! Expect to get wet so bring a towel and swimwear. They have changing facilities on site. We also enjoyed the spa to warm up in between runs. It's also nice that they have a van shuttling guests up hill so you don't have to walk. So FUN!!!! read more
Did I think I was going to die? Hard yes. But did I have the best time? Absolutely! We came at the very beginning of August, which is winter in NZ, and we were a little worried about how cold we were going to be. I think I it's the best time to go! There was one other party of two there, so check in was super quick. The changing rooms had heaters in them, which was so nice! And they have hot tubs at the top and bottom of the hill for you to jump into. We did the package with two rides. The straight down, and the one with the switchbacks. We were given the option of going in our own balls, or going together. We opted to ride together for both and I'm glad we did! There is water inside the ball with you so you do NOT flip over head over heels, it's like a hamster in a ball. You stay upright. They let us bring our phone inside and we recorded our second ride and watching the video back is so freaking funny. The staff were all kind and helpful and we had the best time! read more
4 years ago
Zorb is one of the coolest activities I have ever done, and a better place to do it in a New Zealand Way to start it up. The workers here were so cool and personable, the place and all the facilities were clean and every track was a ton of fun. The entire time down the tracks is full of laughter and fun, best to be enjoyed with someone you are okay with being super close to as you will get very close and personal on the tracks. This activity was definitely one of the most unique on our trip in New Zealand and the only remote downside is the short lived time and the prices, but you know that full well going in. For the 4 course package it ended up $90 USD each and we were there about 1.5 hours (a lot of which was talking with the workers). Even given the price I would 10/10 do it again very happily. Thanks Zorb for a great staff and experience! read more
3 years ago
Wowza. Super fun activity ! Totally safe and I'm over age 55! Wear a bathing suit. No glasses or cameras inside zorb. You will get 100% wet. You are driven to top of course. I suggest barefoot n bathing suit. Your zorb gets filled w a few gallons room temperature water. That's the lubricant. Then you dive in and get zipped up via a porthole. The they launch you and you spin n bop down the course laughing and sloshing about. Afterwards you are assisted out like a birth canal. Legs first tho. Then into the hot tub. To warm up n go again. The zorb is emptied and it takes a lift up to the top. Each zorb w water weighs about 140kg plus your weight. Go do this it's very fun! read more
We did all the four track option when we went ... the VIP package which includes a Zorb t-shirt and video and pictures. I would highly recommend this option as well as they give you a GoPro and also take photos of you after you finish each course. After you are done, they magically have all the media collected for you online. We only did the wet Zorbing. Not sure if the had the dry option on the day we went. The water was cold but not too cold for three of the four tracks. We had warm water for the highest track. They encouraged us to go in two or threes at a time. I had the feeling this was to keep things moving. If everyone went one at a time, this would have really slowed things down. As long as you are going with a friend, it is fun to share the experience. Looking at the ZorbIng from outside the ball, it doesn't seem that fast. But when you are inside, it's a wild ride. read more
I'm not sure where else on planet Earth you can Zorb...I even met a couple from Auckland whom came here to Zorb because its not available in Auckland. Zorb is not cheap, but its super duper fun and a must do if you've never tried it before. Bring your bathing suit, go up a green hill, jump inside ginormous plastic ball with a bit of fresh clean warm water, and prepare for fun! Rolling down a hill, inside a giant ball, skimming along the water...its unlike anything you'll experience. I giggled all the way down... $45NZ for one ride is a bit pricey, so be sure to buy 2 or 3 rides which is $70NZ and $90NZ respectively. Better yet, bring a hot date with you, or two, and you can all get wet and Zorb together...wink wink! If its was little bit cheaper I could give this a 5 Star. read more
I had been waiting 21 years to try Zorbing so the hype was real! Somehow it surpassed all my expectations. I first saw Zorbing as a kid on the TV show Rocket Power. From the outside it looks like the balls roll down the hill slowly but when you get in...it is complete mayhem. Tip of the day - bring a swimsuit and a long sleeve shirt meant for surfing and a towel. We went on a sunny day in the summer but it was windy so the zorb conveyor belt was not working. The high wind also meant that we had to wait for it to be safe for the Zorb to go down the hill and not off course. In between luge rides you are just sitting around and waiting for the truck to come pick you up. If you add all of those factors up, it gets super chilly. They do have hot tubs at the top and the bottom of the hill but you can't sit in them if you are waiting in line to get picked up by the truck. The long sleeve shirt will also protect your back from getting scratched up by the flap that covers the hole in the zorb. I would also bring a gopro - the video that I got of my wife and I inside the ball is hilarious. You have no grip so we just kept rolling and falling on top of each other. We did 3 different rides and were in the ball together each time which I'd recommend. It was one of the best things that we did in Rotorua. read more
Great & exceptional experience! I did this while I was in Rotorua, I went for the extreme ride where you're fully strapped in with safety belts, vs the easier version where you sit/lay flat and they slightly fill it with water, this way you're always flat/floating off the water. The one I did where you're fully strapped will have you rolling upside down as you go down the steep hill! An experience of a lifetime, highly recommended. read more
3 years ago
It's impossible not to have a good time. Came here at 4:00 while raining but the weather doesn't matter that much. Quick little drive up the hill and then a couple minutes of waiting at the platform. There is a hot tub up there, which was pretty convenient for the chilly weather today. Depending on the season there's also cold or warm water inside the ball. Definitely recommend for a short visit in Rotorua and a must for bucket lists. read more
11 years ago
Zorbing was one of the main things that people said I had to do in Rotorua. I've seen it before on people's pinterest boards under their "Bucket List". So having the opportunity to do it, I jumped at the chance. The location looks small. It's just a big hill with these HUGE plastic balls. They have an inner ball inside for you to sit in. They have 2 types of zorbing: with water or strapped in and flipping over. I decided to do the strapped in one. As I watched everyone else go down the hill, it looked like they were going so slow but when I was inside it was the complete opposite. It was fast! So much fun! I also brought my go pro in with me which made for a hilarious video. My friend was brave and decided to do the water one. The only reason why I say he was brave is because it was winter in New Zealand and it was freezing! He said it was fun and it was worth freezing lol I would give this a go if you're in the area. It's quite an experience! read more
9 years ago
One of my most unforgettable bucket list experiences took place in New Zealand. I went Zorbing at Zorb Rotorua!! Ever since watching this activity take place on an episode of Amazing Race, I had dreamed of zorbing!! There are a few Zorbing options to choose from. I chose the wet option, and I wanted to go down the Zig-Zag track. You crawl into the openings in these gigantic plastic globe balls. There is an outer ball, and you are in the inner ball. Make sure they close those openings for safety purposes. Do not want to slip out while rolling down the hill!! So what happens from here? The Zig-Zag track starts at the top of a hill. As you roll down, get ready for a wet and wild experience! It was a short yet awesome ride!! I imagined that this must be how it feels to be in a washing machine. I was slipping and sliding in the water inside the plastic ball as it twisted and turned down the hill. I could not stop laughing with utmost joy as I went down the Zig-Zag!! It was an exhilarating experience that did not disappoint!! Glad to have accomplished this bucket list dream of mine! Highly recommend zorbing with Zorb Rotorua when you are taking a trip to New Zealand! Have fun and stay safe!! read more
Yes, now I know what it feels like to be a human in a washing machine. I've wanted to Zorb since I was a tween, and it was a dream come true to do it in the country it was invented in. I had the most helpful (and attractive) attendant advice me to do a Wet Zorb run down the zigzag course, and there is really not other way to go. In the Fall/Winter they heat the water (good to know). It's a blast and unlike anything I've experienced. The water allows you to slip around inside staying upright the whole time as the world bounces around you. My only complaints are the prices. It's a bit expensive at $45. Look for coupons in the tourist guides for Rotorua (I got a $3 coupon). And pictures are $30 or $20 if you have your own USB. Yep, that's a bit overpriced. Otherwise, I highly recommend it for the fellow adrenaline junkies. read more
12 years ago
You show up and see the big hill that you zorb down. You enter at a small trailer, fill out some forms and pay. The wait wasn't too long, a few groups here including a bachelor party, but I could see this being longer on a weekend. It turns out my wife is too short to do the one type of zorb where you can go upside down, haha. So, we wound up doing the hydro. We both rode in the ball together - you jump in to a small ball within the overall ball, which has some COLD water in it. This water keeps you more even; you don't wind up flying upside down. It was lots of fun and I would love to do it again - I believe they do have packages where you can do multiple rides. Pictures are expensive, so we didn't buy the picture package. They do include one picture for free that you can post to Facebook, so we did that. read more
Zorbing is a pretty solid, fun time. Highly recommended for at least one go. If you show up in the cold, they heat the water...which is a nice feature. If I remember correctly, they have 3 tracks: a not so windy one, a super windy one, and a straight down one. It's not terribly expensive, and it's definitely worth a visit. read more
8 years ago
So fun and such a rush! If you're thinking about it, stop thinking and do it! We did all three tracks and LOVED it.
9 years ago
The ride is expensive for being so short, and it had the potential to be a ton of fun, but my experience was very poor due to a serious safety problem. When you climb into the Zorb, there's a hole with two doors that they zip up so that the ball is sealed and your body parts don't go flying out as you roll down the hill. The zorb is also filled with a small amount of water so that you slide on it and stay at the bottom, rather than tumbling end over end as you would if it were dry inside due to friction. On my second ride, either they didn't zip the two doors (they insist they did), or BOTH doors managed to have broken zippers. Within the first few seconds of my ride, I could see clear through the hole - both doors were wide open. In my personal opinion, if you're guessing on the odds of me (a skinny guy at about 155lbs) breaking through not one but two doors, or them not zipping up the doors, I'd have to guess it wasn't zipped up. Even if it were zipped up: the fact that both doors managed to break means that safety inspections are lax at best, if not nonexistent. The rest of my ride consisted of sheer panic: constantly looking for the hole to make sure my legs didn't slip out, because I could've easily broken them if I flew partially or totally out of the Zorb as I tumbled down the hill. A couple of times, the hole snuck up on me and my butt sunk into it - catching me and rolling me upright or maybe nearly upside down (it's hard to tell as you tumble down) and then dropping me face first into what water might've been left, and/or the dry surface as I was further down the hill. My foot nearly slipped out at one point and I luckily pulled it back in. I am very lucky (as is Zorb Rotorua) that my injuries weren't a great deal worse. My skin is burned/rashed up a decent bit on my back, my shoulder and a slight gash on my elbow because the water had mostly flown out as I tumbled down, so my skin was rubbing against the dry rubber/plastic causing burns. The biggest thing that bothered me wasn't even the terrifying experience, it was how nonchalant the staff was. They were polite, and asked if I needed anything, but they were also seemingly dismissive of or maybe just uninterested in just how badly that whole situation could have gone. You should know that in 2015 a woman broke both legs Zorbing at this very location, so I'm not exaggerating here. They did offer me a form to fill out to report the incident, which is good - and they did offer me a band-aid for where I was bleeding and asked if I needed anything else - but it all seemed very casual and without any serious concern or apology for the frightening experience. I should point out that I was very clear with them that although I was a bit shaken up, my bumps and bruises were relatively minor and I wasn't "after them" for anything - I'm not a stereotypical "sue-first" American and I was very subdued, not visibly angry or anything like that. So, it's fair to ask: how do I think it could've gone differently? I feel like in most places, there would've been at least some enthusiastic apologies given, and I'd have been offered a full refund (rather than just being offered a refund for my 1 unused ride out of a 3-ride package - so I was not even offered a refund for the ride that went haywire!). Heck, maybe ask if I need a glass of water or anything, just some sort of gesture that made it seem like they cared about my comfort? I didn't expect anything much of the staff there besides a more genuine feeling of concern or apology - they really just didn't seem to be all that concerned. They didn't even stop operations to examine the rest of the Zorbs - something I think would be a bare minimum - they just kept bringing people up to ride down. We've been in New Zealand only a couple of days now, so perhaps it's just a cultural difference I'm not yet attuned to, but I really didn't feel like the staff cared all that much, it seemed they wanted to ensure they were doing the bare minimum by offering me a look at their first aid kit, but they seemed pretty nonchalant about how terrifying the incident was or just how lucky they were that my injuries weren't worse. I can't recommend you go there despite the fact that the rides WERE fun for my wife, who didn't have any safety incidents. I don't think it's worth the risk when they don't seem super concerned about safety, even after they have something go wrong. read more
More info about ZORB Rotorua
Corner of Western Rd & State Hwy 5
Ngongotaha
Rotorua 3010
New Zealand
Directions
0800 227 474
Call Now
Hours
What time does ZORB Rotorua open?
What time does ZORB Rotorua close?
Outdoor Amenities
Does ZORB Rotorua have parking?
Yes, ZORB Rotorua has parking options.
Review Highlights - ZORB Rotorua
“They let us bring our phone inside and we recorded our second ride and watching the video back is so freaking funny.”
Mentioned in 4 reviews
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3 years ago
My experience at Zorb Rotorua was nothing short of amazing! The unique and exhilarating hamster ball activity, combined with the smooth check-in process, friendly staff, and thoughtful amenities, made it an unforgettable adventure. The hamster ball activity itself was an absolute blast. Rolling down the steepest and fastest hill they had to offer was an adrenaline-pumping experience like no other. The sensation of tumbling and spinning inside the giant ball was both thrilling and hilarious. It's an activity that guarantees laughter and creates unforgettable memories. The check-in process at Zorb Rotorua was seamless and efficient. I was pleasantly surprised when they accommodated us even before the scheduled time, allowing us to start our adventure early. This level of flexibility and customer service is highly commendable and contributed to the overall positive experience. One of the coolest aspects of Zorb Rotorua was the opportunity to experience the hamster ball activity with my partner at the same time. Sharing the excitement and laughter with a loved one made the experience even more enjoyable and memorable. The staff at Zorb Rotorua were exceptional. They were not only friendly but also provided valuable insights and recommendations about the area. Their local knowledge and enthusiasm added an extra touch of warmth and hospitality to the overall experience. After the exhilarating activity, the relaxing hot tub was a welcome treat. It provided the perfect opportunity to unwind and soothe any post-adventure muscle tension. Additionally, I was impressed to find that the changing rooms were heated, ensuring that the cold weather did not dampen our experience. The attention to detail and thoughtfulness in providing a comfortable environment for guests was truly appreciated. read more







































