Bungee Jumping in New Zealand: 7 Unique jumps

New Zealand can be considered the Mecca for bungee jumping, being home to the oldest, and even one of the tallest jumps in the world! In this article, we will showcase 7 unique types of bungee jumps you can attempt in New Zealand.

The most touristic: Bungee jumping over the Nevis River, Queensland

The Nevis River can be reached in 2 hours (90 km) by road from the city of Queensland and is home to the most visited spot for bungee jumping in New Zealand, from a dizzying height of 134 m or 439 ft.

The jump is not for the fainthearted, taking approximately 8.5 seconds to cover the distance! As the adrenaline slowly fades away after the jump, you will find yourself suspended over the gushing Nevis River in a surreal birdlike experience. The jump also gives you an opportunity to feel as tall as mountains for a few seconds as you’re surrounded by the Remarkables and Hector Mountains to the west, and to the east the Old Woman Range.

The Oldest: Bungee jumping from the Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge

There’s a reason why Queenstown is called the adventure capital of the world. A breezy 25-minute car ride, East from the city of Queenstown will take you to the oldest spot for bungee jumping in New Zealand…and in the world!

1st April 1979 was the first time a bungee jumping activity was commercialized, at the Kawarau Gorge suspension bridge by a gentleman named A.J. Hackett. The bridge is inside a department of conservation reserve and is 43 m (141 ft) above the Kawarau River in the Otago region of New Zealand. Jumping off of a bridge can shake the mightiest, giving the jumper an adrenaline-packed 3-4 seconds.

The Kawaru River can be a giant wash basin for you if you request to have your head dipped in the river, right before you’re pulled up from the jump. If you’d like to be a part of this historic bungee jumping spot, we recommend you do it with the best – AJ Hackett Bungy New Zealand.

The Highest: the SkyJump, Sky Tower, Auckland

If you visit New Zeland, chances are you will go to Auckland and if you go to Auckland, you simply cannot miss the colossal Sky Tower. The iconic structure stands tall at an unbelievable 328 m, on Victoria Street West, Auckland.

It’s worth noting that the highest drop in New Zealand, isn’t technically a bungee jump but can be described as a SkyJump. So what’s the distinction between the two? Well, a SkyJump is a controlled free fall, supporting the participant with cable wires on either side, whereas a bungee jump uses an elastic cable, while the participant descends in free-fall.

Jumping from the tallest man-made structure in New Zealand doesn’t help settle the nerves but makes for a very proud achievement. Time for a stat attack: the 192 m (53 floors) jump takes approximately 11 seconds at a speed of 85 km/h. A spectacular view of the Viaduct Harbour along with the skyline of New Zealand’s city ain’t too shabby, is it?

If you have the appetite for a record-breaking jump from the Sky Tower in New Zealand, visit the link.

The Swoop: Bungee jumping in Rotorua

Located in the North Island of New Zealand, Rotorua is one of the few towns to have preserved its Maori culture. Rotorua literally means the second river in Maori. It is renowned among tourists and locals alike, for geysers and bubbling mud pools, hot thermal springs, and Te Wairoa (“The Buried Village”). Other than bungee jumping, Rotorua is also a great spot for mountain biking in the Whakarewarewa Forest. Additionally, marking the diversity of Rotorua’s landscape is the availability of kayaking in the Kaituna River.

The access routes to Rotorua include a drive down from Auckland (less than 3 hours) or Hamilton (just over one hour) but aerial routes are also opted by tourists from Wellington.

As you can see in the picture above, the best way to describe the Swoop jump experience would be that it is full of pleasure and enjoyment. The swoop is a very accommodating exercise – allowing up to 3 people to partake simultaneously. If you’re nervous about jumping, it’s better to share the fear with friends or family – making this activity ideal.

The thrill kicks in when you are launched 40 m into the sky, going from 0 to 130km/h in 1 second!

The only cliff-top bungee jump in New Zealand: Taupo bungee

Less than an hour south of Rotorua on State Highway 5, lies the small but beautiful town of Taupo. Characterized by the pristine green-blue Waikato river and white cliffs covered in foliage, the town will mesmerize you the second you set foot in it. Just like the neighboring town of Rotorua, Taupo is home to volcanic, geothermal activity and hot springs, suitable for bathing. Mount Tauhara is another tourist attraction you should add to your list if you have the time. Annual events include Iron Man New Zealand, emphasizing the diversity Taupo has to provide.

As far as bungee jumping in Taupo is concerned, get ready to transform into a mix between an eagle and a Kingfisher – swooping at a pace like the former and dipping in water like the latter. The only cliff-top bungee jump in New Zealand is 47 m high with an option to tandem jump. If you don’t want to get wet, that’s fine too – just make sure you clarify that before the jump.

If you want more information on skydiving in Taupo, New Zealand, visit the provided link.

The Shortest: Bungee jump in Hanmer Springs, New Zealand

A resort town in Canterbury of the South Island of New Zealand, Hanmer Springs is very easy to access. Less than 2 hours by road, North of Christchurch, and 50 minutes from Wellington by flight.

While bungee jumping can easily turn into a pissing contest based on the height you jumped from, Hanmer Springs is for those who are new to the sport. The jump itself will overlook the Waiau river, making your experience unforgettable and breathtaking.

The shortest height for bungee jumping in New Zealand positioned at 35 m, Hanmer Springs may be short in height but definitely not for the fainthearted. Many an experienced jumper would be terrified of the prospect of jumping from such a low height. The reason being, the clarity of the view, makes the potential accident that much more graphic.

That’s exactly why most people would prefer skydiving than bungee jumping. It is an ironic concept to understand but once you try bungee jumping, it makes even more sense.

Canyon swing over Shotover Canyon

The canyon swing, over the Shotover Canyon, is situated 15 minutes from the city center of Queenstown, making the location easy to find and access. The city of Queenstown is one of the largest in New Zealand and you won’t have a shortage of activities to engage including restaurants, bars, skydiving, and markets.

As you can see in the picture above, the canyon swing isn’t your traditional bungee jump but it does involve jumping from ridiculous heights, hung by an elastic cable, earning it a spot in our list of unique bungee jumps in New Zealand. Contrary to a traditional bungee jump, the canyon swing doesn’t involve jumping vertically and recoiling but rather swinging across like a pendulum. The cliff itself is 109 m high and the swing is 200 m – hopefully, that gives you a fair idea of the scale of the jump.

If the opportunity to attempt the world’s highest cliff jump isn’t enough incentive for you, a special feature of the canyon swing is that you can do it with a friend or partner.

• If you’re a beginner to the sport of bungee jumping, check out our complete guide on bungee jumping.
• If you want to choose one of the top 10 highest bungee jumping spots in the world, check it out.
• If you want to elevate your bungee jumping game and try some crazy bungee jumps in the world, follow the provided link.