30 years of thrills for tourism icon

30 years of thrills for tourism icon

Stunning views and adventure activities have been thrilling Kiwis for 30 years at Skyline Rotorua, which celebrates its milestone anniversary today <>.

Passengers from around the world have been climbing aboard the Gondolas since 1985 and the ride hasn’t stopped since.

Skyline’s story began in 1981, when Skyline Enterprises founder Hylton Hensman purchased farmland on the city side of Mt Ngongotaha which, unusually for Rotorua, wasn’t in Māori title. Skyline Enterprises had been operating a very successful South Island gondola operation since 1967 and decided that it was time for expansion.

Several tourist attractions, including Rainbow Springs to the left of Skyline, were already being developed and the Skyline shareholders decided the time was right to invest in the area – and Skyline Skyrides was established (re-branded Skyline Rotorua in 2010).

Construction began in Rotorua in 1984, with a Mueller Gondola system being installed from Switzerland and a restaurant capable of accommodating up to 250 people was built at the top of the Gondola.

On 10 March 1985 Skyline Skyrides Rotorua was officially opened with a pre-recorded message from the then-Minister of Tourism, Hon. Mike Moore, who was in the US for trade talks at the time.

Skyline Rotorua General Manager, Bruce Thomasen, says in the past 30 years of operation, the attraction has had more than eight million visitors ride the Gondolas. Many Kiwis will have fond childhood memories of riding the Gondolas for the first time – for many it was, and still is, a quintessential part of growing up in New Zealand.

“It’s hard to believe three decades have passed since the first passengers were carried up the cableway and so much has evolved since then.”

In 1985 construction also began on Skyline Rotorua’s thrill element – the world’s first Luge track – which was opened to the public in 1986, with additional tracks completed in 1993 and 2001.

‘Luge’ is a French word which came into general use around 100 years ago to describe a type of toboggan used in Switzerland. The concept of the Skyline Luge, which did not rely on snow or ice, evolved from a Hylton Hensman idea and when Skyline Skyrides was established, the concept became a reality.

“Skyline Rotorua instantly became world-famous for its Luge rides and continues to lead the technology - all components are designed and manufactured in Rotorua and then shipped around the world to our properties,” says Mr Thomasen.

The Luge is now also in Queenstown, New Zealand; Mount Tremblant and Calgary, Canada; and Sentosa, Singapore.

Skyline Rotorua has continued to innovate, adding other gravity rides such as the Skyswing, Zoom Zipline and the latest – Skyline Rotorua Mountain Bike Gravity Park, with a range of trails for beginners to world-class riders on Mt Ngongotaha.

The mountain bike park places Skyline Rotorua on the world-map once again, as the host venue of Crankworx – the world’ largest mountain biking festival.

Skyline Rotorua’s top terminal has also undergone a number of changes since 1985, with major changes to the Food Market Kitchen café and the recent $2m upgrade of the restaurant to Stratosfare Bar and Restaurant. A Simply NZ Sounvenir Shop, Jelly Belly Shop and Volcanic Hills Wine Tasting Room all add to today’s visitor experience.

“Our tourism markets are constantly changing and it’s crucial that we continuously evolve to meet those markets and remain a favourite for visitors for years to come,” says Mr Thomasen.

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