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Header image courtesy of Jumpstory
You’re at a soaring height, standing on top of a 200-metre tower, as the instructor is busy gearing you up before the big fall, attaching your body harness to the specially designed bungee cord, and all you’ve been asked to do is keep your legs apart and steady.
Standing at the edge of a narrow platform, you are now looking down from the top of possibly one of the highest skyscrapers in the world—and this is when it hits you! The adrenaline really starts getting out of control as you anticipate the fall, and before you know it, you are plummeting down the tracks at breakneck speeds with a massive roller coaster stomach drop sensation. That’s bungee jumping for you—seconds of pure adrenalin!
New Zealand, in many ways, is a land of extremes—in terms of its weather as well as its landscapes. It also takes pride in the fact that it gave the world this stomach-churning adventure sport and some of the most iconic bungee jumping spots that draw diehard thrill-seekers from around the globe. Without further ado, here is a list of the best places to bungee-jump, from Auckland to Queenstown.
So far, millions have taken the plunge, with millions more right behind to try this adrenaline-fuelled activity. This is New Zealand’s most popular and highest spot, and the world’s third-highest bungee spot. Nevis Bungee takes bungee jumping experience to a whole new level—you plunge head-first from a soaring height of 134 metres before free falling for eight and a half seconds, descending rapidly towards the raging waters of the Nevis River with uncontrolled abandon. The pod hangs right in the middle of the stark beauty of Nevis Valley, and you cannot help but appreciate the grandeur of the surrounding canyons as you stare down at the harrowing drop below. But you know what they say—“Go big or go home.”
The Nevis Bungee, Shotover &, Camp Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand│(+64) 3 450 1300
Think you’re a daredevil? We challenge you to try the highest water dip bungee in New Zealand. This jump is not for the faint-of-heart. It may not be the steepest drop, but frightening nonetheless, as the instructor might just decide to dunk you into freezing depths—how deep you plunge into the frigid temperatures depends on how much you weigh. And just as you are sure you're going to crash into the rocky bottoms of Lake Taupo, the springs in the bungee cord will suddenly break your fall, and you'll rebound upwards like a yo-yo.
If your adrenalin levels aren’t rising just by reading this, maybe knowing that you’ll be plummeting 47 metres in a couple of seconds will. Either way, you’ll be mesmerized by the sheer beauty of the surrounding volcanic landscapes packed with geothermal activities and an 11-metre high waterfall that creates a spectacular pool of deep blue water at the base.
Taupo Bungee, 202 Spa Road, Taupo 3330, New Zealand│(+64) 800 286 4958
If you’ve decided to take that leap of faith, you may as well do it with the best of the best. Back in 1988, when the now bungee kings AJ Hackett and Henry van Asch launched themselves off this exact same location to overcome their fears, little did they know that their leap would take a life-changing turn. Together, they have not only catapulted into global stardom by showcasing the precarious practice of jaw-dropping bounces to the world, but also put New Zealand’s innovation and adventure activities firmly on the map.
Thirty years later, bungee fanatics still flock to this iconic bridge to muster up enough courage to pull this stunt off. The platform is located right in the middle of a historic wood and stone bridge, and offers a tranquil setting of a beautiful cobalt blue river running through the steep rocky walls of the gorge. Choose to go solo or in tandem, opt for a quick head dunk in the waters or get caught just above the river—this is where it gets real.
Kawarau Bridge Bungee Jump, Queenstown Trail, Arrow Junction, New Zealand│(+64) 03 450 1300
Yes, another one from the bungee capital of the world! Only this one’s exclusively designed by the bungee pioneers to thrill all the self-confessed freestylers out there—holla at ya boys and girls! The Ledge Bungee and Swing, set in the heart of Queenstown, lets visitors experience one of New Zealand’s most spectacular landscapes, from a sky-high vantage point. It all begins with a short scenic gondola ride to the top of the cliff to give you a glimpse of the views you are about to soak in, and allow a bit of time to think about what you're about to do. If there’s one thing you ought to know about bungee jumping, is to not overthink. Just go for it!
The bespoke harness is designed to allow creative twists and turns mid-air. A long runway offers freestyle jumpers and adrenaline junkies an opportunity to show off their dauntlessness and skills. You could also make this dramatic descent after sunset and plummet through fresh mountain air with magnificent aerial views of Lake Wakatipu. Trust AJ Hackett to come up with unforgettable pre-jump experience every single time!
Ledge Bungee, Brecon Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand│(+64) 3 450 1300
This 40-metre nosedive from the walkways of Auckland Harbour Bridge—one of the city’s most iconic landmarks offering sweeping views of Auckland waterfront, Waitemata Harbour, and Devonport—is another one of the bungee guru’s masterpieces. Celebrities like Tiger Woods, Justin Bieber, and Katy Perry have braved the jump from this very location, thus making it a must-try adventure activity when visiting the City of Sails.
Once atop the bridge and moments before taking the leap, do make sure to capture the stunning 360-degree views and pause a moment to be eternally thankful to A.J. Hackett for giving you this opportunity to feel free and uninhibited. Extreme thrill-seekers might continue to scout the world for a place to fly, but these epic bungee spots from New Zealand will always hold a special place in their hearts.
Auckland Bridge Bungee Jump, 105 Curran Street, Westhaven Reserve, Herne Bay, Auckland 1011, New Zealand│(+64) 800 286 495
Manasee is a Hong Kong-based freelance writer by profession and lover of fascinating cultures, lip-smacking cuisines, and a vibrant social life. Having worked as a travel guide all across APAC, Manasee has dug deep into historical fun facts, architectural styles, and the best places to eat and drink in the places she visited. As a travel writer, Manasee aspires to inspire readers to follow in her footsteps. After a long day of work, you can find her binge-watching Netflix shows with a glass of crisp wine.
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