Skyline Rotorua Gondola and Luge

Skyline Rotorua is the one outing that suits an eight-year-old and a grandparent equally. A gondola carries you up the slopes of Mt Ngongotaha for a wide view across Lake Rotorua, Mokoia Island and the town's steaming skyline. At the top, the luge is a wheeled gravity cart you steer yourself down a concrete track, with a chairlift back up to ride again. There are three tracks of increasing difficulty, basic, intermediate and advanced, with six entry points, and the advanced track has a minimum age of 10. Children under six can ride in tandem with an adult. Helmets and a short instruction are provided. The Viator listing sells the gondola alone or with one, three or five luge rides, and the page lists a refund if you cancel more than 24 hours ahead. There are food options at the summit, and you can pair the ride with a meal. Plan one to two hours, or longer if you choose the five-ride package and keep going.

Choose your package by who is riding. Families with small children often do one or two rides, while teenagers and adults usually want three or five, because the first ride is about learning the cart. The basic track is gentle enough for nervous beginners, while the advanced track rewards a confident rider.

The view is the other half of the ticket. On a clear day you see the full sweep of Lake Rotorua, the green of the surrounding hills and plumes of geothermal steam above the town. Go up early for clearer air, or late for the glow of evening. If the weather turns, check the operator before heading out, because wet tracks may affect running.

Tips: wear closed shoes, tie back long hair, and listen to the briefing, as the luge is a real ride with real speed. Bring a jacket, since the summit is breezier than town. Parents should keep an eye on younger children in tandem rides. The attraction is a few minutes by car from the centre, and the Viator listing mentions hotel pickup and drop-off, which can be convenient if you are not driving.