Rotorua's Essential 50: Day 14 - Paradise Valley Springs

Getting to pat a lion cub makes Paradise Valley Springs an unusual attraction. Lion keeper Vanessa Heaford holds Ayla and Aleekah when they were 3 months old. Photo/File

Tell anyone from out of town that you patted a lion cub on the weekend and they'll think you're pulling their leg.

The rare experience makes Paradise Valley Springs a Rotorua essential. There are two cubs available for patting at the moment. The pair are 3 months old and can be patted at three daily sessions.

Tie your visit in with a chance to see the pride fed, as well as explore the farmyard area and the Rainforest Treetops Walk and there's plenty to keep the whole family entertained.

The park is open all year round - maybe pop over for Christmas - and stays open until dark with last entries at 5pm.

The fact there are lions in Rotorua happened by chance. The park first opened in 1939 as a trout sanctuary and there are still plenty of trout that you can watch. But in the 1970s a visiting circus to Rotorua offered three retiring lions to the park. The current pride of 10, eight adults and two cubs, have all been born at Paradise Valley with cubs donated to other parks throughout New Zealand and Australia.

As well as getting close to the lions, visitors can see the kea and possum fed at 3pm.

Food can be bought at the shop and children of all ages can enjoy hand-feeding the goats and alpaca or throwing chow to the pigs.

Don't forget to try the water from the park's freshwater spring, Te Waireka.

The Rotorua Daily Post Essential 50 lists the city's must-see, must-do and must-try activities and experiences thanks to reader nominations. We'll be highlighting one every day during summer.