Bringing world-first thrills to New Zealand since ‘98
Here in New Zealand, our love for adventure starts from a young age. Playgrounds are equipped with flying foxes, giant swings, and tall slides for kid’s imaginations to run wild. So when we grow up, it’s no surprise that our inner wild child doesn’t want the fun to stop!
Kiwis have an innovative spirit that have led to some pretty incredible inventions – the jetboat, bungy, blokart and Zorb are just a few. We like to call it our ‘number-8 wire mentality’, using our epic landscapes and materials to create some of the coolest and quirkiest experiences in the world.
One of the pioneers of New Zealand’s adventure tourism scene is Velocity Valley. Opening as Agrodome Activities in 1998, we’ve been attracting adrenaline junkies from all over the world for all sorts of unique thrills, well before they became Insta-famous!
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Early Days
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Swoop
We’ve been paving the way with world-first rides, offering Kiwis and international guests exclusive experiences, unlike any other in the country. Over the past 25 years, Velocity Valley has built up an impressive reputation for doing things outside-the-box, leading the pack when it comes to adventurous activities. Doing things different and changing the game is our specialty – so here’s an insight into our innovations throughout our history.
Beginning with a group of adventure enthusiasts who were keen to add some exciting activities to an existing farm site, the result is a destination that pushes the limits of what’s possible, offering a range of extreme experiences that can only be found in Aotearoa.
The park opened with a splash – with the world’s first commercial Jet Sprint, Agrojet. This high-speed, fast-paced ride lets you race across the water at up to 100 km/h, full of twists, turns and plenty of spins. If go-karting and jet-boating had a baby, this would be it.
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The early days of Agrojet
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Agrojet
Next to open in 1999 was the Swoop, the first giant swing to be built in New Zealand. Being raised 40 metres up in the air and ripping the cord will launch you at speeds of up to 130 km/hr – not your typical backyard swing! It’s no surprise that this concept has taken off around the country – but there’s no substitute quite like the original, right here in Rotorua.
2003 saw the park reach new heights, with the launch of Freefall Xtreme. Taking the best bits of a skydive, this giant wind tunnel provides thrill-seekers with that one-of-a-kind freefall feeling, without having to jump out of a plane! To this day, it remains the Southern Hemisphere’s only outdoor flying wind tunnel.
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Original FreeFall Xtreme Wind Tunnel
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Freefall Xtreme
The pedals first started turning on our Shweeb in 2007. As the world’s first (and only) human-powered monorail racing experience, these pedal-powered pods are truly exhilarating. Racing your mates around the track suspended in the air is a great test of your mental and physical strength. More than just a tourist activity, it’s also a vision for a form of futuristic mass travel. Offering an sustainable solution for short-distance urban journeys, Google voted Shweeb the most innovative future eco-friendly form of public transportation in 2010.
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Shweeb during its first years
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Shweeb racing in 2023
As you can see, we’re all about championing our classic Kiwi ingenuity, and never shy away from a new challenge. In fact, Velocity Valley is super excited to be bringing an all-new thrill ride to Rotorua in July 2023! Another New Zealand-first, you best buckle up tight, as this adrenaline rush is unlike anything seen before in the entire Southern Hemisphere. If you thought a Bungy jump was intense, just you wait… we hope you aren’t afraid of heights!
Our exclusive rides have been winning accolades and 5-star reviews for decades, and we’re proud to offer something to suit every appetite for adventure, helping guests conquer their fears and push their limits. So whether you’re keen to continue the legacy of thousands of Swoopers and Shweeb Racers before you, or you’re jumping at the chance to experience our brand-new ride, it’s time to book your next adventure and create some epic lifelong memories!
