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Tours & Experiences

Off Road NZ

📍 RD2, Waikato

4.9(435 Google reviews)

Best for adventurous families with a licensed driver. You steer a Suzuki Jimny around a muddy guided bush course with the kids as passengers, take a ten-minute monster 4x4 ride over log climbs and drop-offs, or race karts. Runs rain or shine.

Drive it yourselfMonster 4x4 rideKartingPassionate staffShort monster ride
★★★★★Featured review by Chic Retreats NZ

Off Road NZ, Rotorua: 25 Years of Getting the Details Right We arrived at Off Road NZ and were greeted with personalised welcome boards. That immediate attention to detail set the tone for everything that followed. Ian’s welcome was pure energy and passion. You could tell within minutes that this isn’t just a business for him, it’s something he genuinely loves. That enthusiasm is infectious, and it runs right through the entire team. The staff were professionally friendly, knowledgeable, and created a sense of safety amidst all the off-road adventure. When you’re handing control of vehicles to guests of all ages and abilities, that balance between fun and responsibility matters. They nailed it. The 4WD Bush Safari was brilliant. Navigating through native bush with guides who know the terrain and share their knowledge along the way made it properly engaging. Then there was the giant truck. Watching it take corners was like witnessing an elephant on ice skates. Hilarious, slightly terrifying, and completely memorable. We watched multi-generational families pile in together, and the squeals of delight coming from kids and adults alike said everything. We also spent 10 minutes on the go-karting track, and the need for speed kicked in immediately. Short enough to leave you wanting more, long enough to get properly competitive. What really stands out about Off Road NZ is that after 25 years, they’ve perfected their offer. It’s all in the details and the approach. The team has clearly refined what works, discarded what doesn’t, and built something genuinely special. Beyond the adventure activities, this is a fabulous venue for corporate events, celebrations, and gatherings. There’s a great area where caterers can be brought in, and we heard there was even a wedding there the week before our visit. That speaks to the versatility of the space and the team’s ability to create different experiences. We love recommending local businesses that add real value to our guests’ experiences in Rotorua, and Off Road NZ delivers on every level. Awesome job, team. Highly recommended by Chic Retreats NZ & we’ll be back soon!

🏆 Family Action Verdict

Great for families with a confident driver and kids who love mud; the self-drive safari is the pick, and the whole car is in on it. Under-120s miss the monster truck, so plan around the safari if you have small ones. Wear clothes that can get filthy, and treat the monster ride as a ten-minute bolt-on rather than the main event.

ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go

💡The Bush Safari needs a driver with a current licence; passengers can be any age
The Monster 4x4 has a 120 centimetre minimum height and lasts about ten minutes
🎟️Wear old clothes and closed shoes; mud is part of the deal, especially after rain
🚗Book ahead; convoys run at set times through the day

💬 What Families Are Saying

View all reviews →
4.9

435 Google reviews

Driving the Jimny is the highlight80%
Staff coax nervous drivers through60%
Rain makes the mud better40%
Monster ride over quickly30%
C

Chic Retreats NZ

Off Road NZ, Rotorua: 25 Years of Getting the Details Right We arrived at Off Road NZ and were greeted with personalised welcome boards. That immediate attention to detail set the tone for everything that followed. Ian’s welcome was pure energy and passion. You could tell within minutes that this isn’t just a business for him, it’s something he genuinely loves. That enthusiasm is infectious, and it runs right through the entire team. The staff were professionally friendly, knowledgeable, and created a sense of safety amidst all the off-road adventure. When you’re handing control of vehicles to guests of all ages and abilities, that balance between fun and responsibility matters. They nailed it. The 4WD Bush Safari was brilliant. Navigating through native bush with guides who know the terrain and share their knowledge along the way made it properly engaging. Then there was the giant truck. Watching it take corners was like witnessing an elephant on ice skates. Hilarious, slightly terrifying, and completely memorable. We watched multi-generational families pile in together, and the squeals of delight coming from kids and adults alike said everything. We also spent 10 minutes on the go-karting track, and the need for speed kicked in immediately. Short enough to leave you wanting more, long enough to get properly competitive. What really stands out about Off Road NZ is that after 25 years, they’ve perfected their offer. It’s all in the details and the approach. The team has clearly refined what works, discarded what doesn’t, and built something genuinely special. Beyond the adventure activities, this is a fabulous venue for corporate events, celebrations, and gatherings. There’s a great area where caterers can be brought in, and we heard there was even a wedding there the week before our visit. That speaks to the versatility of the space and the team’s ability to create different experiences. We love recommending local businesses that add real value to our guests’ experiences in Rotorua, and Off Road NZ delivers on every level. Awesome job, team. Highly recommended by Chic Retreats NZ & we’ll be back soon!

F

Fancy Pants

We were greeted by a very friendly woman at the front desk who I can’t thank enough for encouraging me to drive myself! I had the best time!!! Our guide was nice as well and ensured a safe and pleasant experience. We did the off road self drive and one of us did the go karts. We had a great experience. Go karts were pricy for the time you get and the monster truck ride was very short. I watched a couple groups go out and they were back in a very short time.

A

Anna Sampson

Excellent track and carts on offer. Track is a great mix of technical and fun driving. We also did the monster truck drive and loved it. The team provided all the gear and information we needed to make the most of our day. Can't wait to go back for our next experience on Wednesday

K

Kat M

Fantastic time driving the jimny around an absolute blast of a track. There are some seriously crazy ones that put the jimny to the test! The rainy day only made it that much more fun. The staff were great as well and super kind. It’s a must do if you love adventure and thrills!

Reviews from Google

Overview

Off Road NZ is a 4WD playground in native bush on Amoore Road, north-west of Rotorua. The signature Bush Safari puts a licensed parent behind the wheel of a Suzuki Jimny for a guided convoy over steep, rutted and often muddy tracks, with children riding as passengers. The Monster 4x4 Thrill Ride is a roofless truck on huge tyres that lurches through obstacles with names like the Widow Maker; it lasts about ten minutes and riders need to be 120 centimetres tall. Karts too.

🕐 Opening Hours

Monday08:30 – 17:00
Tuesday08:30 – 17:00
Wednesday08:30 – 17:00
Thursday08:30 – 17:00
Friday08:30 – 17:00
Saturday08:30 – 17:00
Sunday08:30 – 17:00

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