No visit to New Zealand is complete without visiting Rotorua which is a centre of Maori culture and the site of hot springs and boiling mud pools. The Skyline Rotorua Complex an all weather entertainment and activity area atop Mt Ngongotaha on the western shores of Lake Rotorua adds to the well known attractions of the area. Designed as a family destination Skyline offers a host of thrilling rides, entertainment and dining experiences for the whole family. A gondola ride on a 900 meter cableway takes visitors up the hill to enjoy 180 degree views of Rotorua’s lakes and geothermal area and to have a really good time sampling the entertainment and dining options.
Probably the most looked forward to experience is the Rotorua Luge, part go cart part toboggan, that careens down three different tracks on different types of terrain and offers all members of the family a thrilling experience. Three tracks suited to different skill levels wind down through scenic forest routes. Once riders whizz down the hillside a chairlift takes them back to the top to whizz down again. Although the three wheeled luge carts are pushed down by gravity the rider gets to control the speed and direction using a simple breaking and steering system that is within everyone’s capability to operate.
Other attractions at Skyline are the restaurants atop the hill that not only provides breathtaking panoramic views but some of the best dining and food experiences as well. While enjoying the views, diners can sample everything from seafood to meat dishes prepared in many different ways and scrumptious deserts. New Zealand’s first gourmet jelly bean gallery offering over 100 flavours is also here. The gallery sports amazing art works made from thousands of jelly beans. Other attractions include the Skyswing with exciting rides at 120 kph, Skyvue a 4D motion theater giving a sensation of flying, scenic helicopter rides over Rotorua, nature trails designed to explore the beautiful forest location and Volcanic Hills Winery and Tasting Room that gives the opportunity to sample wines from the country’s famed wine regions. Guests can also choose to enjoy meals that are paired with specially selected wines. A project in the works includes a wine making facility where visitors can first see the wine being made before tasting it. Volcanic Hills make a range of top quality wines, the grapes for which are sourced from the country’s best wine growing regions.
Millennium & Copthorne hotels NZ with hotels in several fascinating locations around the country gives guests the opportunity to enjoy areas of great natural beauty, sporting and fun activities and lively cities. The group’s Rotorua hotels not only offer comfortable accommodation but easy access to the area’s famed attractions. Take advantage of the special offers at these New Zealand hotels to enjoy the country at any time of the year.
Umanga Kahandawaarachchi is a passionate travel writer who writes under the pen name, Maggie Tulliver. Her field of writing covers a wide array of content and articles related to travel and hospitality industry. Google+
