Spring Loaded Fun Park

When I think of a fun park, I picture high rise upside-down roller-coasters, ferris wheels and bumper cars.  I think of hot summer days and soaking in the adjoined water park.  One thing I love about living in the Bay of Plenty is that a fun park for example, can have the same concept of something I’m familiar with, but offer entirely different activities. 
 Jet boating up the Kaituna River, and off-roading a four-wheel drive “mud bug” vehicle, is what I was told we would be doing at Spring Loaded Fun Park.  I was stoked by the fact I would be able to go jet boating so soon, and as for off-roading, I had no idea what to expect.  I dressed in layers of clothing with a hat and gloves, even though the sky was cloudless, it was still a cold winter day. 

I strapped on my helmet and hopped in a mud bug*, as I was going to be hitting the dirt roads first. I didn’t expect off-roading to be that much fun.  Boy was I wrong when I found our mud bug facing straight down a ditch that was no wider than the vehicle. I took a deep breath and pulled my seat belt extremely tight as we flew down the hill and thanked our lucky stars when we were all still alive at the bottom.  These 4WD tracks didn’t get any easier as we were going up, down and through muddy ditches and hills.  I was very relieved when we made it through the last course.

Next it was time to move on to another adrenaline rush.  I put on my long rain jacket and tightened my hood.  I hurried to sit in the front seat where I heard you don’t get wet, and when everyone was situated, we took off in the jet boat.  The scenery was fantastic as we glided through the narrow river while dodging trees and limbs in the water.  Every once in awhile our driver would throw us into a 360 degree spin that made the butterflies in my stomach multiply.  

I had a blast at Spring Loaded and would recommend it to anyone who feels the need for speed and adventure.  They also have giant eels and farm animals that you can feed, and a café for those after a more relaxing day.

*Mud bugs are YOU drive, four-wheel drive vehicles.
 
Spring Loaded Fun Park (formerly Longridge Fun Park)
www.springloadedfunpark.co.nz
Phone: 0800 867 386
Adult jet boat: $95
Adult mud bugs 4WD: $75
Qualmark endorsed activity