Drive to the Rotorua Rafting base, just a 20 minute drive from Central Rotorua. Meet your guide at the base and dress up in your wetsuit to stay toasty warm for the day. Your guide will teach you everything you need to know. Don't worry if you've never been whitewater rafting before, you don't need any experience. Non-swimmers are even able to tackle the river. In the summer months, the river is 25 degrees Celsius, making it the warmest river in the country. A quick hop across the road will see you arrive at the river ready to tackle 14 epic rapids and 3 waterfalls. The highlights will be jumping, swimming, surfing, and plummeting over the highest commercially rafted waterfall on the planet. After an hour of action, you will arrive back at the base ready to get changed and check out the photos that were taken throughout the adventure.

Join an epic grade 5 whitewater rafting expedition on the Kaituna River and get an adrenaline rush in its deep warm water canyons. Located a 25-minute drive from central Rotorua, the rafting base is next to the Okere Falls Scenic Reserve.  Join an expert guide on an action-packed, 50-minute adventure down 14 epic rapids. Brave the famous 7-meter Tutea Falls, the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world. A must-do for adrenaline junkies and first-time rafters alike, the adventure is run by super-friendly guides to give you the safest and most entertaining trip on the river. Stretch your legs on the nearby walking track at the end of your raft to watch the rapids tumble over the falls, or head to the nearby cafe to enjoy some food and the best selection of craft beer in Rotorua.

Are you ready to soar over waterfalls, zoom through pristine native forests, and be enlightened through a hands-on cultural and ecological experience in Okere Falls, Rotorua? If so, then Rotorua Ziplines has you covered. Suitable for a wide range of ages and abilities, a network of ziplines, swing bridges, and boardwalks will have you in awe for 2.5 hours as you fly, walk and gaze at the stunning taiao (Environment) that is Ōkere. Born through an intimate connection with the Ōkere Awa (Kaituna River), this joint venture between Ngāti Hinerangi and Rotorua Rafting’s Ōkere Falls born and bred, Sam Sutton, has been created to showcase its mauri (spirit) and importance with Aotearoa’s soon to be premier zipline experience. End the experience with a tree in your name as the Rotorua Ziplines reforestation project plant it's way towards 100,000 native trees by the end of 2025 to see Ōkere Falls thrive for generations to come.

Take on a thrilling rafting adventure with experienced and local Kiwi guides. From first timers to white rafting enthusiasts - there's something for everyone. Navigate a wildly beautiful landscape while learning about Kaitiakitanga (guardianship) and protection of the land. A quality adventure is blended with Maori culture for a memorable experience. You can self-drive or benefit from courtesy transport from your door to the relaxing River base situated in the middle of Rotorua's native Kahikatea Forest. You're welcome to make use of the volleyball court or 3D maze located onsite. Receive an in-depth safety briefing on land and clamber into high-quality river gear. It's a quick bus ride to the Okere section of the Kaituna River where you'll train and hone your rafting skills before dropping into the gorge and commencing your adrenaline packed activity. Snake through steep New Zealand native bush clad canyons. Be thrilled by fourteen awesome rapids and tree waterfalls including the world-renowned 7-meter Tutea Falls. Once your amazing journey on the river comes to an end, jump back on the bus and head back to the River base. Re-live the rafting action through photos snapped by a professional adventure photographer along the way. 

Take on a thrilling rafting adventure with experienced and local Kiwi guides. Navigate a wildly beautiful landscape while learning about Kaitiakitanga (guardianship) and protection of the land. Snake through steep New Zealand bush-clad canyons. Be thrilled by fourteen rapids and tree waterfalls, including the world-renowned 7-meter Tutea Falls. Relive the rafting action through photos snapped by a professional adventure photographer along the way. Throughout the day, your guide will share the history of Mount Tarawera's eruption as well as local myths and legends. On arrival at the mountain base, begin the ascent to the crater's edge in an off-road 4x4 vehicle up through native bushland. After a quick stop at the solar-powered mountain base, continue up to the beginning of the track.  Admire stunning scenic vistas and 360-degree panoramic views as you enjoy the hike up. At the summit, you can leap down into the heart of the volcanic crater for a fun and short run.

Try your hand at sledging, a uniquely ‘Kiwi’ activity, on the Kaituna River. The adventure is infused with local Maori culture and no prior experience is required. You can self-drive or benefit from courtesy transport from your door to the relaxing river base situated in the middle of Rotorua's native Kahikatea Forest. You're welcome to make use of the volleyball court or 3D maze located onsite. Receive an in-depth safety briefing on land and clamber into high-quality river gear. It's a quick bus ride to the Okere section of the Kaituna River where you can hone your sledging skills before jumping into the water. Enjoy the native scenery, play holes, and exhilarating rapids as you negotiate your way downriver at eye level. You’re in charge of your own vessel, propelled by the flippers on your feet. Experienced local guides will be nearby to encourage and help where necessary. At the end of your river adventure, jump back on the bus to return to the river base.

Situated in the Okere Falls Scenic Reserve the Grade 5 Kaituna River features the world's highest commercially rafted waterfall, the awesome 7m (21ft) Tutea Falls. Although this trip provides full-on action the river is pool drop meaning that every rapid is followed by calm water making it very forgiving for a grade 5 river. Around 15 – 20 minutes of training is provided prior to the trip teaching all the required paddle commands and safety information. Then there is aroun 50 minutes spent having fun in the river rapids. This is serious fun for advanced rafters or even adventurous beginners.

Immerse yourself in New Zealand's natural beauty on a morning tour from Rotorua to the lake district. See Hamurana Springs, Kaiutuna River, Okere and Tutea waterfalls, and explore a cave. Get great photos of the Green and Blue Lake and mighty Mount Tarawera on this half-day tour. Begin your day discovering the beauty of New Zealand's North Island with a visit to Hamurana Springs. Here, enjoy a walk to the largest freshwater spring on the island where 4.5 million liters per hour of crystal clear waters are laced with shades of turquoise, jade, and emerald in a tranquil setting of towering Redwood trees. Your next stop is the Kaituna River for a walk through the Native New Zealand forest with scenic lookouts overlooking the river. See the flowing waters of Okere Falls and Tutea Falls before descending Hinemoa's steps to the caves to experience the awesome power of nature. Continue your half-day tour toward the site of NZ's most recent volcanic eruption at Tarawera. Take in the stunning views of the Blue and Green Lakes, two lakes that sit side by side. There is plenty of time to enjoy the peaceful surroundings and take amazing photos of the colorful location. Finish your tour with magnificent views of Mount Tarawera and Lake Tarawera as you return to Rotorua.

NZWA offers tandem kayak trips to anyone who wants to experience the amazing world of whitewater, head-on, for themselves or side-by-side with friends. No prior experience is required! In fact, this tour is the best whitewater kayaking excursion in the world for someone with no experience. Sign up and let us take you on a one-on-one trip down the famous Kaituna River, off the world's highest commercially kayaked waterfall and through 14 exciting rapids – all through an amazing river gorge, surrounded by subtropical native forest. (Average trip time is 45 minutes to one hour on the water.) Tandem kayak tours are 1:1 ratio, (one instructor per one client) and include an additional kayaker alongside the tour for extra safety. We can accommodate four clients per trip – perfect for couples or groups of friends wanting to take on the river together! (Max weight 95 kg)