Rolling down a hill in what can only be described as a human-sized hamster ball has to be one of the ultimate “been there, done that” experiences in New Zealand.
The Zorb is an 11 foot high inflatable transparent sphere which you simply step inside and ride down the hill. Just in case you were wondering, there’s two feet of air to protect you from the bumpy ground, so you can whiz down at high speed.
Zorb riding was actually invented in New Zealand, and Zorbs are still made and developed in Aotearoa.
There’s also the Zorbit, where you are securely harnessed inside the Zorb, so you can watch the sky and ground go spinning round as you race down the hill.
I opted for the Zydro – which is the most insane option, and the best. With the Zydro, not only do you roll down the hill in a Zorb, you also get a few buckets of water chucked in there with you. So as I found out, you slip, slide and spin all over the Zorb as you roll down the hill. You can’t actually see where you’re going really, so you just slosh around inside the Zorb wondering where you’re going to turn next. Awesome. And even better, you can jump in a Zorb with a couple of mates if you want, to make the whole experience more of a thrill, if you can stop laughing on the way down that is.
If you don’t want to spend the rest of the day in sopping wet clothes, you can pick up a Zed Pack, which consists of a T-shirt and shorts to get wet in, a towel to dry off with and even a funky bag to carry it in.
Zorb Rotorua is on the corner of State Highway 5 and Western Road in Ngongotahu, about 10km from Rotorua.
Zorb Rotorua is open seven days per week all year round.
Prices start at $49 for a Zydro ride, and combo packages are available with Agroventures and Kaitiaki Rafting.
For more information call 0800 22 74 74 or visit www.zorb.co.nz
