If your mates all jumped off a bridge with a cord wrapped around their legs, would you do it? Well, in New Zealand, world renowned home of bungy, you probably would. One of human kind’s stranger inventions, the bungy (also spelt bungee) is both crazy and unfathomably alluring. Peer over your feet, ask yourself again who’s idea this was, swallow your fear and take a leap of faith. Plummet, bounce, and then swing in relieved ecstasy. This is bungy jumping.
While New Zealand was the birthplace of the commercial bungy jump, which put us on the map as adventure capital of the world, we certainly weren’t the inventors of this pastime. The first people to bungy were actually women in Vanuatu, who would fling themselves from wooden platforms high in the trees, with nothing but vines wrapped around their feet. The men were eventually allowed to join, and for them, it was a chance to prove their manhood. Catching the biggest fish wouldn’t cut it, apparently.
The next bungy experimenters were a bunch of Oxford students, in 1979. Four members of the Oxford University Dangerous Sports Club jumped off the Clifton Suspension Bridge with nylon braided rubber shock cords, while wearing top hats. New Zealander AJ Hackett laid eyes on a video of them doing this, and so began his journey setting up the world s first commercial bungy jumping spot, AJ Hackett Bungy. Now, people who want the best and biggest dose of adventure travel to New Zealand from all over the world.
Planning on coming to New Zealand for an adrenaline fix? Perfect. You’re coming to the right place. Looking for a chilled holiday that involves no plummeting from high places? Nice plan, but this is the adventure capital of the world. You just might re-think it, especially if you’re in Queenstown, where you’ll encounter adrenaline-fueled, post-bungy grins from half the folks in town.
Whether you’re counting down to your leap of faith or the idea of bungy jumping is making your insides squirm, we’ve put together a guide for everything bungee jumping New Zealand.
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Where can you bungy jump in New Zealand?
Queenstown, home of the bungy.
It’s only right to start with Queenstown, where it all began. Well, the commercial bungy jump, anyway. After watching the video of the crazy Oxford Brits jumping off a bridge, AJ Hackett and his friend Henry Van Asch set to work developing bungy cords. The natural next step was to test it out at the Eiffel tower, and that’s exactly what they did. In June 1987 they snuck up the Eiffel Tower at night, where AJ Hackett jumped off. He was arrested, but it worked.
That set the wheels in motion: they opened the world’s first commercial bungy operation in Queenstown at Kawarau Bridge in November 1988. Queenstown was now officially New Zealand’s adventure capital, and one of the best places to go for a thrill. These days (alongside the jetboating, skydiving, white water river rafting, mountain biking and the smorgasbord of other activities to get your adrenaline pumping), AJ Hackett bungy has grown to include three sites in Queenstown. The original Kawarau Bridge bungy offers a 43 metre fall over the Kawarau river off the historic Kawarau Bridge, while the Ledge Bungy and the Nevis Bungy each offer a different experience (just as crazy, trust us).
For the ultimate ‘urban bungy’ experience, fling yourself off The Ledge Bungy, a platform overlooking Queenstown at the top of the gondola. It’s freestyle bungy jumping, which means you can use some creative license and chuck yourself off however you please – or, of course, shuffle to the edge with your eyes closed.
For those who want an experience to truly test the nerves, The Nevis Bungy will put hairs on your chest. New Zealand s highest bungy jump, it’s an 8.5 second free fall down 134 metres towards the valley floor. While you can make your own way to the other jumps in Queenstown, you’ve got to travel by the Bungy Bus along a narrow gravel road to the Nevis – it’s all part of the adventure. The bus goes from the Queenstown Bungy Centre, Corner of Shotover and Camp Streets.
While AJ Hackett remains ruler of the bungy world, there’s more to the Queenstown bungy experience. For those who love to free fall, The Shotover Canyon Swing is the world’s highest cliff jump, and an experience like no other, with a plummet and swing over the Shotover River. Dust off your vocal chords, and we’ll let you discover the rest.
Cliff-top bungy jump in Taupo
Welcome to the only cliff-top bungy jump in New Zealand, in gorgeous Taupo. Another AJ Hackett bungy, this one gives you a leap 47 metres over the Waikato river, just minutes from the mighty Lake Taupo. If you want a cherry on top, take the water touch option. It’s worth at least three coffees, and you’ll feel unbeatably refreshed as you swing, post-dunk, over the river.
Bungy over the City of Sails in Auckland.
It may not be known for its adventure activities, but Auckland offers plenty for those who want to get their blood pumping in the big smoke. Take a trip to the bungy pod nestled under the Auckland Harbour Bridge for the only ocean touch bungy in New Zealand. This is another AJ Hackett Bungy, and one of the most unique bungy jumps in the world. Watch out, swinging over the boats in Auckland harbour below is addictive – you might just be back for a couple more jumps.
You could even double the thrill with the Auckland Bridge Climb and Bungy combination, which is arguably the best way to see Auckland.
What is the highest bungy jump in New Zealand?
The Nevis Bungy takes the prize for the highest bungy jumping in New Zealand, at a gut-dropping 134 metres.
How much does it cost to bungee jump in New Zealand?
The price varies for bungy jumping in New Zealand, with the higher bungy jumps generally being the more expensive. Shotover Canyon Swing in Queenstown is around $180 NZD for a solo (no photos or t-shirt), while the Nevis is usually around $275 NZD. The Bridge Bungy and Climb in Auckland is around $192, and the Taupo Bungy is usually $185. Keep in mind, these prices are often reduced for deals and specials, and it costs less without photos for those who want to fit a bungy into a shoestring budget.
Also, the price generally goes down for your second bungy jump. Tempted?
When you know which bungy you’re aiming for, head to their website or flick them an email to check the price.
How fast is a bungee jump?
Jumpers have been recorded rocketing down the Nevis Bungy at speeds of up to 128 kilometres. Don’t worry, at that speed, you’ll leave your fear behind – you just might need a change of underwear.
Once you’ve reached the swing part, though, it’s a gentle back and forth.
Is bungee jumping scary?
We’d be lying if we said no. But, while standing with your toes over the edge of a massive drop is one of the scarier places to find yourself, you’ll be be down the bottom in no time, elated, fizzing and signing up for a second time round.
What’s scarier, bungee jumping or skydiving?
This is like comparing apples to oranges. While you’ll get a longer free fall from a significantly greater height with skydiving, you’re also able to ‘strap yourself to a beautiful stranger’. As terrifying as it is to jump out of a plane, they actually take the leap for you, so there’s no going back.
With a bungy, however, unless you’re going tandem, you’ve got to pluck up the courage to throw yourself off a platform. You decide. Either way, the adrenaline will keep you flying all day.
How old do you have to be to go bungee?
That depends on the bungy. For most, you’ve got to be 10 years old to jump, but for the Nevis in Queenstown, you’ve got to be 14. There’s generally no upper age limit, but as the Shotover Canyon Swing website says, ‘if you’re mostly robot and 217 years old’, they’ll be happy to help you jump.
If you’re not sure, give the bungy centre a quick or email to check – they’re always a friendly bunch.
Does bungee jumping have a weight limit?
Yes, generally. To jump in New Zealand the minimum is 35kgs, though this can vary depending on the bungy. The maximum can be between 130kg and 235kg, depending. If you’re going tandem, the difference between your weights can’t exceed 30kg, and the maximum combined weight is 180kg.
What do you wear to bungee jump?
That depends on the bungy, your nerves and the weather on the day. For some, like the Taupo and Auckland bungies, you’ll need comfortable clothing and flat, secure shoes. The Kawarau, however, invites you to jump naked if you so wish – but bring warm layers.
Weather in New Zealand can be unpredictable and often cold, especially in Queenstown (South Island) so all recommend warm clothes for during or after.
What are you waiting for? Set the day and get ready for the time of your life. Bungee jumping is Kiwi-As!
