Babbling Brooke’s Travel Blog

On a whim, Matt and I decided to book rafting tour in Rotorua that included going down the highest commercially-guided waterfall in the world!

On our kayaking excursion to Cathedral cove, we spoke with our tour guide who recommended signing up to raft the Kaituna River near Rotorua, since we were headed there next. So, we signed right up. It was only afterward that we realized maybe we had made a mistake? Before coming to NZ, both Matt and I had seen a viral video of a person getting stuck under the rapids of a waterfall in New Zealand for a nail-bitting amount of time. Turns out, this was the same waterfall we were about to go down – Tutea Falls. We debated backing out, and I am SO glad we didn’t!

We awoke on the morning of day 12 and left our Airbnb in Cook’s beach to head towards Rotorua. The weather was pretty rainy and it was my turn to drive back out of the Coromandel Peninsula on the crazy winding road.

We made perfect timing to stop and get breakfast at Okere Falls Store Cafe and Beer Garden.

After getting some delicious eggs on toast breaky, we checked in for our rafting tour at Rotorua Rafting! We were given a variety of gear including wetsuits, helmets, life jackets, and neoprene booties. We all hopped into the van and rode the short distance down the road while our tour guides gave us a safety briefing. At the drop-in site, we divided our group to across 2 rafts, and Matt and I were paired with a nice couple from the USA- we all joked we would just say we were Canadian. Our guide, Luvlo, was a nice guy from BC Canada and he instructed us on how to hold on through the first waterfall. He also briefed us on the order of waterfalls we were about to go over! The first waterfall section had a 1 meter waterfall immediately followed by a 2 meter tall one. After that first section all the anxiety seemed to float away with the bubbling water because I was HOOKED already! 

The big waterfall (Tutea Falls) was pretty early in the journey so we pulled off to the side to discuss the plan of how to get down into the raft to decrease the risk of being ripped out. We were all a little anxious still but also jittery with excitement now that we had had a taste of rafting. We paddled as instructed and when our guide Luvlo told us to get down and hold on, we sure did! 

Next thing I knew we were cresting the lip of the waterfall and I was looking down into the raging rapids below! I tried to keep my eyes open for as long as possible to take it all in- and snuck in a big breath right before we were swallowed up by the roaring water. A split second later we popped up! Still amongst the wild rapids below the waterfall but already any lingering anxiety about flipping was being washed away – leaving nothing but STOKE behind! 

The next section of rapids had their own dose of fun as we opted to all swim down one set (yes, outside the raft!) and then I got to “ride the bull” on one waterfall by sitting on the very front of the raft with my legs dangling over each side and holding onto the rope in the middle. With me up front, rest of our group and our guide got in the very back of the raft. The weight distribution meant when we went over the next waterfall, I went right into the water and then immediately shot way up as the back end sunk down. It was so much fun! 

The last part of the rafting excursion was each couple taking turns getting in the very front of the raft to be dunked into the rapids facing up stream – while kissing! It made for some great photos for sure! 

Getting out of the river, we helped carry the rafts back up to the van and trailer, and headed back to base. Still brimming with adrenaline, Matt and I seriously debated signing up for another go right then and there. 

After rafting, we got a couple of beers back at the Okere Falls Cafe before deciding on a whim to go try Zorb (even though we had also signed up the very next day to do it too). Now doing Zorb right after drinking a beer was probably not the best idea but no one puked, so I can’t say I regret it! 

If you have no idea what Zorb is- that’s okay- I only knew about it because Matt has talked about it for the 5 years I’ve known him! To be honest I didn’t quite grasp how fun it would be until I, too, was flying down a hill in a giant air bubble. Basically, the set up is a huge inflatable ball that is hallow in the center. At the top of a hill with a grassy track, you jump into the ball that is partially filled with water before it is sealed and you’re let lose to roll down the hill, sloshing around like a gerbil in a wheel. There are different tracks, some straight and some with many switchbacks. You can go solo or with someone else, and of course we went together each time. We did 2 runs and utilized the hot tubs in between. I haven’t laughed that hard in…I can’t remember how long! It was seriously such a blast. 

By this point we were starving. We grabbed some takeaway Korean chicken, stoked up on some groceries (things were about to be closed for the holiday) and headed to our next Airbnb that was about an hour away.

Checking in to our Maungatautari Airbnb after a little detour (thanks to Google Maps being wrong – the first time I saw our airbnb it was from the wrong side of the river), I was blown away! Surrounded by serene pastures, our Airbnb sat on a small bluff overlooking a peaceful river below. To top it off, there was a trail down to the riverbank that included two outdoor tubs with string lights to sit & relax in while taking in the sights. 

Since we had been in our swim suits and towel ponchos all day from so many water activities- we decided to go ahead and fill up the tubs right then and there. We relaxed and had some yummy wine our wonderful host left for us (along with a Christmas card and breakfast supplies stocked up- including fresh eggs!) 

The resident dog, Buddy, seriously has the best life at this place chasing birds all day and swimming in the river. While we relaxed in our tubs, we got to witness him running about and enjoying life. He even sat down by the river and seemed to just take in the sights 🥹 When we were all tubbed out and ready for some serious sleep, Buddy made sure we found our way back to our Airbnb. The cutest! He sure made me miss Loki back home.

This was seriously a fun and adventurous day that ended so perfectly- it’s no wonder we both passed the heck out and slept so good! 

The next morning was Christmas Eve and we had some very fun things planned! Stay tuned for mud baths, more Zorb and…HOBBITON!

*I want to acknowledge that the pace of our trip has exponentially increased and I am trying to keep up with the blog. It is so fun to write and I really enjoy it, but I also am just enjoying being present. Luckily, I can write most things in my notes app to keep it fresh- but transferring it, adding pictures etc, takes time! All that to say, more is coming! It’s just a little delayed 🤪*