Zorb Rotorua

Two New Zealanders patented the idea in 1994: a person inside a large transparent ball, inside a second ball, with the gap between them inflated, rolling down a hill. Zorbing spread worldwide from this site. The rides split into two kinds. Dry involves being harnessed in and tumbling with the ball, which some people find disorienting to the point of unpleasant. Wet is the more popular version - a few buckets of water go in with you, you are not strapped, and you slide around inside as the ball rolls, which is closer to a waterslide. Several tracks exist, straight, zigzag and a longer one, and the whole thing takes under a minute per run. It is a single-activity stop, generally combined with something else on the same road, and it is priced accordingly.

What you actually see

• The original site - where zorbing was invented in the 1990s.
• The wet ride - unharnessed, with water, the version most people choose.
• The dry ride - harnessed and tumbling, not for everyone.
• The tracks - straight, zigzag and a longer run.

When to go

October to April - the wet ride in cold weather is less appealing, though it runs year-round with warm water. Summer afternoons queue.

Honest expectations

Each ride lasts well under a minute for the price, which surprises people. The dry ride causes motion sickness in some. Weight and age limits apply. Bring a towel and swimwear for the wet ride.

Nearby

Agrodome is next door; Rotorua is south.