Rotorua's Essential 50: Day 22 - Thrills and spills on the water

Plummeting down the Tutea Falls is an exhilarating experience.

Rotorua is a big playground and while many like to visit our lakes and rivers for relaxation you can also get a thrill while on the water.

The abundance of water-based adventure companies makes thrills and spill on water an essential for all to try at least once.

The Kaituna River is a magnet for adventurers and featured in the recent Whitewater Rafting World Championships. The Okere section of the river features 14 rapids and three waterfalls, including the grade 5, 7m Tutea Falls - the highest commercially-rafted waterfall in the world.

If you prefer to stay dry you can watch people descend the Tutea Falls but if you have a sense of adventure then you can have a go at whitewater rafting this section. You can also tandem kayak down the Tutea Falls.

The lower part of the Kaituna River is available for river sledging, which is a more intimate way of experiencing the river - i.e. you get more wet!

There are several rafting companies that offer these experiences.

Another thrill on the water in the Kawarau Jet, which offers trips on Lake Rotorua, you can also experience the thrills of the Hamilton jet at Agroventures on the AgroJet.

We're not sure whether this would be classed as on the water or in the air but parasailing is also an experience you can try in Rotorua if the weather is right.

A bit more serene but no less intense experience is a stand-up paddle lesson or tour.
Lessons can be taken on Lake Rotorua, Lake Rotoiti and around the Maketu coast.

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 over summer.