We take safety seriously at Rotorua Canopy Tours
Safety is our top priority – after all, you can’t have fun on the swing bridges and ziplines unless you know you’re safe!
Safety is our top priority – after all, you can’t have fun on the swing bridges and ziplines unless you know you’re safe!
At Canopy Tours, our commitment to safety begins before you even enter the forest.
Read about the physical requirements, your responsibilities as our guest, and the potential risks associated with Rotorua’s forest zipline experience.
Then you’re ready to get attached!
Guest Responsibilities
To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience, we require all of our guests to:- Be able and willing to listen to and follow the instructions and guidance from Rotorua Canopy Tours staff
- Disclose any medical conditions or concerns to Canopy Tours Staff prior to the experience
- Complete a pre-tour check-in form
- Be aware of the physical requirements to complete the experience comfortably
Physical requirements to participate in the forest zipline tours
To take part in our zipline and canopy tours, you need to…- Be able to walk on uneven terrain, cross swing bridges, and ascend stairs.
- Be able to raise your knees and keep them tucked up while on the zipline and when coming into our landing platforms to avoid hitting your legs on the landing ramps.
- Be prepared that in the event of poor weather or a medical emergency, evacuating the forest would require walking up to 45 minutes on uneven forested trails.
- Original Canopy Tour: 6 years old and up.
- Ultimate Canopy Tour: 10 years old and up.
Guest responsibilities
To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience, all our guests need to:- Listen to and follow the instructions from Rotorua Canopy Tours
- Disclose any medical conditions or concerns to Canopy Tours staff prior to the experience.
- Complete a pre-tour check-in form.
Risks and hazards
Both of our Canopy Tours start with a 13km (8 mile) drive in a modern 12-seater van from our base in Rotorua to the Okoheriki Forest. In the forest, there are a range of ziplines, suspended swing bridges, and gravelled walking trails through the trees.
We ask guests to be open and honest about any medical, physical, and psychological conditions that may affect their ability to complete the tour safely.
Once you meet the tour requirements and follow instructions safely, your guides do their best to minimise risks, however, there will always be elements of the tour and the working environment that are beyond our control.
These risks may include but are not limited to:
- Vehicle collisions
- Falls from heights of up to 50 metres (150 feet)
- Collisions on the ziplines
- Risk of fingers, hands, hair or clothing getting caught in moving zipline trolleys
- Exposure-related issues due to weather conditions
- Slips, trips, and falls
- Falling objects from above, like tree branches and epiphytes
- Human error
- Exposure to images of typical New Zealand conservation activity, which entails removing possums, rats, and mustelids from our ecosystem.
Rotorua’s environment
Rotorua Canopy Tours take place in a forest with changing weather conditions. We operate throughout the year, and temperatures can vary from minus 10 degrees Celsius in the winter to 30 degrees Celsius in the summer.
Potential weather or environmental events that can impact the tour include but are not limited to:
- Strong winds
- Heavy rain
- Thunder and lightning
- Heavy frosts
- Sun and UV exposure
- Cold, hot, or humid temperatures.
We supply wet weather gear and extra hats, gloves, jumpers, and jackets to keep you dry and warm in the forest, but we may cancel tours in the unlikely event of extreme weather events.
Safety measures at Rotorua Canopy Tours
We have several measures in place to mitigate the potential risks. We will do whatever we can to ensure you have a safe and fun experience with us. This includes:
- Using industry-standard safety equipment.
- Delivering safety briefings before the tour, and coaching guests inside the forest.
- Weight limits and physical requirements standards – only our staff will see this information, it is discreet.
- Limiting group tours to 10 guests.
- Providing you with wet weather and warm gear to suit the current and potential weather conditions.
- Comprehensive training and continued supervision of our staff. Our robust and relevant training includes safety at height processes and active hazard identification.
- Equipment that is fit for purpose.
- Regular equipment and course inspections at or above industry standards.
ORIGINAL CANOPY TOUR
What’s involved
It is a 15-minute drive to the forest, then a 300-meter walk to reach the initial platform. The walk-in involves inclines and declines along a gravel pathway with around 130 stairs spread into small sections. We walk slowly while pausing intermittently to discuss the surrounding flora and fauna. Our guides are experts at gauging the pace for each of our small groups and accommodating every individual.
You will begin ziplining from here by climbing a 15-step flight of stairs to your first tree-based platform. You will return to the forest floor after four awesome zip lines ranging from 40 to 200 metres and a 40-metre-long swing bridge. A 150-metre walk along our forested trail educates our guests on our conservation programme. There is seating here if needed.
Two more zip lines and a 10-metre suspended swing bridge elevate you above the canopy before ascending back to the forest floor. The last is a 300-metre exit trail that is flat with the occasional tree root that peeks through.
It is approximately a 15-minute van ride back to base.
ULTIMATE CANOPY TOUR
What’s involved
The forest is reached by a 15-minute van ride. Then, there is a 350-metre walk-in with slight inclines, declines, and 30 stairs. Grand doors open to the first feature, a 75-metre suspended swingbridge 20 metres high!
A 120-metre walk gets you to our first zip line, where you will be given a safety briefing before ascending a spiral staircase. The first three ziplines are 50 metres, 100 metres and 200 metres, and they will fly you onto an exposed volcanic rock face. This is a fixed walkway with a handrail on the inside. Canopy Tours guides will get you attached to complete this walk. The walkway is also an awe-inspiring 50 metres above the ground.
The tandem 400-metre zip line is next! This is followed by a 75-metre suspended swing bridge that guides you across a gully. There are a few stairs to conquer next, nearly 200. You’ll then stop at a seating area where your guides offer insights and education into New Zealand’s unique biodiversity and our conservation efforts.
Following our conservation chat is our beautiful floating staircase six stories high. The highest section sways a little. At the top of this staircase is a small suspended swing bridge, which you will be attached to. There is no further stair to climb from here!
There are two more ziplines, each approximately 150 metres long. The last 50-metre swing bridge is the most difficult of the four bridges. It tends to sway more, but our guides have you attached!
The final feature is a controlled descent from a tree-based platform 18 metres to the forest floor. This is not an abseil. We will lower you with control, and our guides will ensure you are safe and comfortable.
A final 500 metre flat, gravelled forest trail walk will take you to the exit, where you can take a quick 15-minute van ride back to base.
Your safety and satisfaction is our top priority
If you have any questions or concerns about your ability to complete either of the Canopy Tours experiences, please call our friendly team at 0800 CANOPY (226679) or +64 (0)7 343 1001.
If you are unsure about how your physical health or medical conditions may affect your ability to do the tours, please consult your healthcare provider before booking.
Want more information on our safety measures and tour details?
