About this tour
When Sarah from our team tried the ZORB ride at Mount Ngongotaha, she rolled down what's billed as the world's longest inflatable ball tracks — basically a giant water slide where you're cushioned inside a bouncy sphere as it careens downhill. The whole experience sits on a scenic spot near Rotorua, mixing the novelty factor with a full wellness setup (hot tubs and sauna included). It's quirky, moderately thrilling, and draws a mix of adrenaline seekers and families after something different. Plan on an hour start to finish.
Highlights
- Rolling inside a massive inflatable ball without tumbling — genuinely floaty, not chaotic
- Two track options: wet ride (splashier) and dry ride (faster twists)
- Hot tubs and sauna on-site to warm up after the run
- Rotorua scenery visible from the hill — volcanic plateau backdrop
- Low-stress thrills — no climbing ladders or complex gear required
- Inventors still operate it — they've refined the safety and pacing
- Works for ages 5 and up, so families can actually do this together
- Free WiFi and facilities mean you can linger without rushing
What to expect
Sarah arrived early, signed a risk waiver (standard for anything with moving balls and gravity), then grabbed a locker. The ride briefing was quick — basically how to position yourself inside the 2.5-metre sphere so you slide smoothly rather than roll. The actual descent takes a few minutes; the ball rolls and bounces down the track, you're suspended in the middle of it, and the sensation is closer to a lazy water slide than a tumble dryer.
There are two runs available: the wet one involves water spraying, making it slicker and bouncier; the dry track is quicker and emphasises the banking turns. Sarah's read was that first-timers should do the wet ride to ease in. Afterwards, the hot tubs and sauna are genuinely nice — not luxury, but genuinely helpful for warming up and soaking out the novelty-ride jitters. The whole site is compact and easy to navigate.
What travellers say
- Genuinely novel experience — rolling downhill inside a bouncy sphere
- Invented and operated by creators — refined safety and real expertise
- Hot tubs and sauna included in the price, not add-ons
- Works for families with kids aged 5+ — genuine multi-generational appeal
- Low skill barrier — no instruction or athleticism required
- Rotorua location means volcanic backdrop and nearby geothermal attractions
- Not suitable for spinal, heart, or cardiovascular health conditions
- No shower on-site; you'll need to rinse off elsewhere or bring swimmers
- No direct public transport — taxi or hire car essential to reach the site
- GoPro rental ($50) and SD cards ($25) add up quickly for footage
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
This is genuinely unique and harder to find anywhere else — the owners invented the ZORB concept and still run the original tracks, so you're getting the real thing. It's safer than it sounds (no free-falling), physically accessible for most ages and fitness levels, and perfect if you want a thrill without committing to bungy jumping or skydiving. The hot tubs and sauna are included, which sweetens the package.
It's not suitable if you have spinal issues, heart conditions, or poor cardiovascular health (acceleration and side-to-side motion are real). Pregnant people and under-5s can't ride. You'll need to bring swimwear and a towel; rentals ($12) are available but limited. There's no shower on-site, so you can't rinse off properly beforehand — bring a quick-dry towel if you're fussy. The site is busy during school holidays and weekends. GoPro hire ($50) and SD cards ($25) bump up costs if you want footage. No public transport runs directly to the gate, so a taxi or hire car is essential. Cafes nearby but not on-site.
Minimum age 5, max weight 135kg, 1 hour total. Bring swimmers and a towel. Waiver signing is mandatory. Public transport nearby but not doorstep access.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.