Five of the best: New attractions in Rotorua

Rotorua's historic Blue Baths. Photo / Destination Rotorua

1. The Big Splash at Rainbow Springs
Fairy Springs Rd, Rotorua, Ph 07 350 0440

New Zealand's newest themed water ride isn't just the exhilarating rush at the end, it is a journey through time exploring our ecological evolution. State of the art animatronics bring to life dinosaurs, moa, the Haast eagle, the arrival of humans and more.

2. Don Stafford Wing, Rotorua Museum
Queens Drive, Government Gardens, Ph 07 350 1814

Rotorua Museum's new Don Stafford Wing includes exhibitions such as Nga Pumanawa o Te Arawa - The Beating Hearts of Te Arawa - which follows the journey of the Arawa people from their Hawaiki homeland.

3. Cruising Rotorua Railway
11 Kaponga St, Mamaku, Rotorua RD2, Ph 0800 RAILRIDERS

Take a trip back in time along the newly reinstated Rotorua Railway in a self-drive RailCruiser, with trips from two hours to full day excursions.

4. The Sidewinder
525 Ngongotaha Rd, Rotorua, Ph 0800 OGO ROTORUA

If bouncing down a hillside in a massive ball is your rush, OGO has opened the longest ball rolling track in the world called "The Sidewinder". It is over 400 metres long with eight massive, 315 degree corners.

5. The Blue Baths' 1931 show
Queens Drive, Government Gardens, Rotorua. Ph 07 350 2119

The Blue Baths' 1931 show commemorates the 80th anniversary of the opening of the juvenile pool on December 21, 1931. The unique new story features music from the swing era of the Thirties and runs Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays in January and February.