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Rotorua Okere Falls: Zipline, Waterfalls & Māori Tea Tasting

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/9

Duration2h 30m

GroupUp to 10

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

Soar above Kaituna River waterfalls with local stories and forest air

You’ll fly over roaring waterfalls near Rotorua on ziplines with local guides who know every twist of the Kaituna River. Walk through ancient native bush, pause for Māori tea among ferns, and help restore Okere Falls by planting a tree in your name. It’s equal parts thrill and connection — something you’ll remember long after your feet touch ground again.

2h 30m

Step-by-step itinerary

Get geared up and briefed
Zip over Kaituna River
Glide over three waterfalls
Cross swing bridges and boardwalks
Learn Māori stories and reforestation

The Experience

I didn’t expect my hands to shake a little as I clipped onto the first zipline at Okere Falls — maybe it was the cool mist coming off the Kaituna River below, or just nerves. Our guide, Hana, grinned and told us to look out for tūī birds darting through the branches. The forest here in Rotorua feels dense and alive, all mossy trunks and that earthy smell you get after rain. I could hear the river before I saw it — kind of roaring but friendly at the same time.

The first flight over the water was wild — not scary exactly, but my heart definitely thumped. You catch these flashes of whitewater rapids underneath, then suddenly you’re gliding past ferns that brush your ankles if you let your feet hang. Hana pointed out a tree she’d helped plant last year (they actually plant one for every guest — I thought that was just marketing but nope, it’s real). There’s something grounding about knowing you leave a tiny mark behind.

We stopped on a swing bridge for a breather while Hana shared some local stories — she laughed when I tried to say “Ōkere Awa” properly (I’m still not sure I got it right). The light filtered through in stripes and everything smelled like wet leaves. At one point we had this old-school Māori tea together; it tasted herbal and smoky, not what I expected but kind of perfect after flying around like birds. The whole thing took about two and a half hours but honestly, time went weird — parts felt fast and other bits you just want to stand still for a second longer.

I keep thinking about that moment hanging above the river — wind in my face, shoes damp from brushing leaves. If you’re looking for a day trip from Rotorua with some adrenaline plus those quieter pauses where you actually notice where you are… yeah, this is probably it.

What’s included

Your adventure includes full safety gear and guidance from local experts as you soar on ziplines above Kaituna River’s waterfalls. You’ll cross swing bridges through native forest, enjoy an ancient Māori tea tasting mid-tour, receive free photos of your experience, and even leave behind a newly planted native tree in your name as part of their reforestation project.

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Rotorua Ziplines