Rainbow Springs

From one end of the Rainbow to the other as we headed to Rotorua for Rainbow Springs, a conservation park that has recently installed an Intamin Big Splash ride. It had only been open a couple of weeks so we thought we'd go and check it out.

Rotorua is a good 3 hour drive out of Auckland but you pass by some wonderful scenery on the way.

Next to the Rotorua Skyway (Cable Car) the park is tucked away in the corner of the parking lot, but the big signs tell you that you're there.

Prior to the splash ride the main attraction was the kiwi birds, the nocturnal avine emblem of the country. Rather amusingly the person I was travelling with thought being called Kiwi was a reference to the fruit and not the bird. Oops!

The ride itself is a big big splash taking 10 minutes to complete. There are 2 lift stations, the first immediately leaving the main station and the second before the final drop.

Along the way you're told the story of the evolution of the country and the animals on it.

There are nice touches along the route such as this eagle swooping over the boat. Simple stuff, but effective.

Then you're told about how man is killing the planet and how it's down to us to preserve the planet. A bit hippy but nicely done.

Then you're lifted up the second lift before doing the drop, which fortunately is not that wet!

All in all a straightforward ride but a massive investment for what is a tiny little park.

Huge trout. I wonder what they call their pouts?

Investment is continuing with this addition of a large childrens playground.

The grounds are beautiful and you could easily chill out here for a little bit.

Aside from the kiwis, which were weird (no cameras = no photos) there are a small number of other bird species to try to photograph through the meshes.

A lucky stone that has been polished over time by the natural running water.

This was a bit of a non-coaster side trip but still worth doing as it meant we got to see a bit more of New Zealand than just Auckland where we were staying. Rotorua is one of the thrill ride centres of New Zealand and there's enough bungees and zorbs to keep you happy if you're wanting more of a reason to come here than a single big splash attraction.

Who needs a better view?