FAQ’s

Got questions about our zip line tours? Let us help you

Safety and physical requirements

What are the weight and age restrictions for the zip line tours?

There are two different tours that have different restrictions, please see below for the restrictions of each tour:
The Original Canopy Tour:
• Maximum weight limit of 120kg.
• Minimum age of six years old. There is no upper age limit – so far our oldest customer was 93!
• Children (15 years and under) must be accompanied by a responsible adult (16 years or over).
The Ultimate Canopy Tour:
• Maximum weight limit of 120kg.
• Minimum age of ten years old. There is no upper age limit.
• Children (15 years and under) must be accompanied by a responsible adult (16 years or over).

How safe is it?

Safety rules above all else in our business. Rotorua Canopy Tours (is fully compliant and independently audited under the Adventure Activities Regulations 2011 and Outdoorsmark.) We consider ourselves to be leaders in the industry with our systems, culture and attitude and policies to safety.

How physically fit do I need to be to go on a Canopy Tour?

We pride ourselves on being able to offer an experience to almost everybody. Our two zip line tours require different levels of fitness.
The Ultimate Canopy Tour:
• Are you able to raise both knees above your hips?
• Would you be comfortable going for a half day forest walk or hill walk?
• Can you walk up 6 flights of stairs unassisted without stopping for a break?
…If you answered Yes, it sounds like you are ready for the Ultimate tour. No? Check out the Original tour it might be better suited to you.

The Original Canopy Tour
• Are you able to raise both legs to a seated position?
• Would you be comfortable going for a one-hour forest walk or hill walk?
• Can you easily walk up 3 flights of stairs unassisted?
…If you answered Yes, it sounds like the Original zip line tour is perfect for you.
Still have questions about your ability or fitness, please contact us prior to making your booking.

Afraid of heights? Wondering if you can complete the tour?

Perfect – you have a lot to gain from doing this tour!
Our knowledgeable and passionate guides pride themselves on their ability to help people achieve beyond what they thought possible, your two guides are there to support you the whole way through your journey. The tours slowly builds up in height and at all times there is the option to stop, but in most cases people’s fears subside within the first hour as the safety systems, their guides’ professionalism and the encouragement of the rest of the group put them at ease.

This looks like fun but, am I too old?

Let’s cut to the chase – the answer is NO, you are never too old.
In fact, Canopy Tours specialize in making people feel young again! Whether you are 6 or 100 or somewhere in between – if you are reasonably fit, (see the ‘how physically fit do I need to be?’ question above) a Canopy Tours experience is achievable for you. So, bring your partner, hang out with the grand kids or get a group of mates together from the golf club, walking club or the Rotary club. Do not let us tell you – Click here to hear what our customers have to tell you about their experience!

P.S. Our oldest male was 93, oldest female 92.

Tours

How long is the Canopy Tour?

Wondering how long is the Canopy Tour? The Original Canopy Tour is a three-hour experience and The Ultimate Canopy Tour is a three and half-hour experience. Both tours require you to be at the office 15 minutes prior to your tour time so you can check-in and are ready to meet you guides and let your adventure begin.

What should I expect on the day?

When you arrive at our HQ, you will notice there is no forest here. But don’t worry it is only a short drive away.

Our HQ, is where we get you ready to go and where you will meet your guides and the rest of your group. We ask that everyone is wearing closed toes shoes and is dressed to the conditions, it can be chilly up there. It’s best to eat and drink before coming along. We’ll ask you to leave snacks and water bottles behind.

When checking-in, each person is required to be weighed (this stays top secret). This is so we can ensure you are in the right equipment for ziplining.

Any valuables can be left in our lockable storage at our HQ, we recommend you bring your cameras on tour though!

Once you are all ready to go with your safety equipment and your valuables locked away. Your guides will drive your tour group to the forest which is a 13km drive away. Here your adventure truly begins….

Where are my tour photos? How do I download them?

Your photos from your Canopy Tours are available and free to download from our website – check them out here

You offer two different tours, which tour should I do?

The Original Canopy Tour is our flagship zip line experience and has won many awards. To date over 150,000 people have been thrilled, challenged and inspired by its wonders.

We suggest it for:
• Families
• Those with even a hint of anxiousness
• First timers
• Those of lesser fitness
• Group bookings – this tour is perfect for most ages and abilities and makes for a great work or family group activity.

The Ultimate Canopy Tour is a step up and totally achievable for almost anyone who can complete the Original Canopy Tour.

This tour is for those who:
• Have done the Original Canopy Tour
• Those who have ziplined elsewhere
• Anyone who think that it looks awesome and are up for it immediately

What is all this #1 Activity in the World all about?

We have recently been humbled by the best accolade we could ever ask for. TripAdvisor conducts annual travellers choice awards and have named our Original Canopy Tour as the #1 Nature Activity in the World, and the Ultimate Canopy Tour was named the 11th Best Experience in the World. We’ve been selected out of 400,000 tourism businesses worldwide.

Do you offer private tours for family or friends’ groups, birthday groups, proposals or hens dos etc.?

Yes, Canopy Tours zip line tours are perfect for small group tours. We offer private tours for group bookings and can customise the experience to meet your needs.

Please get in touch with our team to discuss what we can do to help you celebrate your special occasion or group activity.

Is the early morning tour only available in the school holidays?

We are busier in the school holidays with all the kiwis getting out and about and we have more guides to offer this experience. If you did want an early bird experience, feel to call the office and discuss the options. In the past, we have done amazing things on the early bird including having food on a platform while we watched the sunrise.

Why is the early bird tour cheaper, is there something wrong with it?

It’s the exact opposite, to be honest. The early bird tour is the best departure and therefore should be the most expensive, but people don’t like waking up early enough to find out. In the morning is when the ancient forest is actually the most magical with the flora and fauna, and birdlife all coming to life for the day.

My kids are under 6 and are too young to go on the Original Canopy Tour, is there another activity we can do?

Yes, a great activity just a few hundred metres up the road from us is 3D Trick Art Gallery. It’s a unique and interactive experience that’s within walking distance from our Rotorua Canopy Tours base, so everyone in your family can do an experience they will love, regardless of age.

Booking and cancellation policy

Need to cancel or postpone your booking?

We know life throws curveballs, especially with covid-19 causing lock-downs and forcing travel plans to change. If your tour is unbale to run or you are unable to make your tour due to covid-19 or to other restrictions, we are here to help. We can:

Postpone and re-book your experience.
Put the credit of your experience onto a voucher to use another time or we can extend existing vouchers.
A full refund if unable to re-book at that time.
Just reach out to our team so we can help you in your situation as best we can.

What is your cancellation policy?

Full price cancellation will be charged for any cancellations made within 24 hours of your tour time.
Cancellations made outside of the 24 hour period will not incur any charge.
Changes to bookings within 24 hours of the tour will be subject to availability and will incur a $50 admin fee.
A cancellation charge of the total booking value will apply to customers who fail to arrive at their pre-booked departure time with out any notice.

Rotorua Canopy Tours reserves the right to cancel any tour due to weather conditions, hazard identification, and events beyond our control that will interfere with the safe operation of the business. Customers affected will be offered alternative tour times or full refunds.

Do I need to book my Canopy Tours ahead of time or can I book on the day?

We highly recommended pre-booking your zip line adventure to avoid disappointment as spaces are limited. Weekends, school holidays and public holidays are our busiest times. But even if it is last minute in a busy period please check for availability online here.

Are your experiences really guaranteed?

Yes. Rotorua Canopy Tours is passionate about customer experience so, we guarantee all of our experiences giving you confidence to book. If you aren’t 100% satisfied, you can either pay what you think it’s worth, or get a full refund. The details are here. No one else in tourism is doing this.

When do the zip line tours depart?

Multiple tours run every day. Click here to see tour times and availability.

What to wear on a zip line tour?

The forest is usually a few degrees colder than it is in Rotorua and can get quite frosty in the winter, we recommend a warm pair of socks and one more layer than what you are comfortable in outside. High quality wet weather gear and an extra warm outer layer can be supplied. Closed toe footwear is a must all year round.

Should I bring my own camera?

Yes, yes yes!! Please do not forget to bring your camera! We encourage you to take as many photos of this amazing adventure as you can.

Bringing your camera is at your own risk, we recommend ensuring that your camera has a strap that you can attach to yourself or can be kept in a zip pocket. If you have a GoPro, bring it! You will get some amazing footage, we recommend a helmet mount/ head strap, wrist mount or selfie stick. Don’t forget to charge your batteries before coming on tour.

If you don’t have your own camera you can hire a GoPro to take on your tour. Your guides will also take a few photos of you while on tour, we will email these to you free of charge!

Can people come and watch me?

Spectators are not able to come view people on the tour. We operate in a wilderness area and there is no access under the ziplines or trails around the forest. There is a high risk that spectators will get disorientated and lost in the forest. We do not take any responsibility for people who are not on our tour.

Weather

What if it is raining? Will my Canopy Tour be cancelled?

Canopy zip line tours run in all-weather including in the rain and most of our customers who have experienced the forest say it is even more beautiful in the rain!
While you are under the trees the canopy acts like a big umbrella. We will also kit you out in our amazing wet weather gear that will keep you dry and warm throughout the tour.

Should I visit Rotorua Canopy Tours in winter?

Fair question – Winter in a native forest is an incredible time. The smell of nature clings the air, the damp forest also sparkles with greens and the cooler fresher air makes you wonder when the last time you felt this alive was (all our photos on this website were taken in the middle of winter).

We also understand our guests do not want to get cold so we have invested in the best outdoor clothing money can buy – it keeps you dry, warm and toasty so you can lose yourself in the moment rather than worry about chattering teeth. But we do advise you bring thick socks and extra layers – as you can never be too warm.