This blog may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy for more info.
New Zealand is known for its stunning, otherworldly landscapes, incredible wildlife, and fun, adventure-loving Kiwis. But it’s also the home of bungy jumping!
Yup, that’s right – bungy jumping is an iconic activity that was made popular right here in New Zealand. After doing my fair share of adrenaline-pumping activities, I can confidently say that this is one of the best countries to step out of your comfort zone and jump off crazy high things!
Bungy jumping is one of those bucket list items to do in New Zealand I recommend everyone try at least once. Whether you’re leaping off a bridge, a platform on the edge of a cliff, or even NZ’s tallest building, you’re in for an incredible experience.
But will there be a bungy spot close to where you’re staying in New Zealand and where are the top places to take the jump? I’ll help you narrow down where to go and what to expect from each place.
Let’s jump into it!
History of Bungy Jumping in New Zealand
The origins of bungy jumping can be traced back centuries to the people who live in Vanuatu – a small group of islands northeast of Australia. They would jump off huge towers with vines tied around their feet. It was called “land-diving” and was originally only done by women, although men eventually joined in too.
The commercial bungy jumping as we know it was brought to New Zealand in 1988 by AJ Hackett and Henry van Asch. Their first bungy operation was the daring jump from the Kawarau Bridge close to Queenstown (this jump comes in at #2 on our list!).
With the raging river rapids below and stellar views, it was a unique experience that really kicked off the adventure tourism that New Zealand is so well-known for today. With its growing popularity, there have been many different companies and locations opening up across the country, making New Zealand one of the best places to jump off high platforms.
Fun Fact: You might have noticed I’m spelling bungy with a “y” – this is on purpose! In New Zealand, the word “bungee” is actually spelled “bungy”. Because New Zealand is the home of commercial bungy jumping, this is the spelling they’ve always gone with. Kiwis believe their spelling is correct, and the rest of the world spells it wrong!
Is Bungy Jumping in New Zealand safe?
Bungy jumping in New Zealand is one of the most thrilling activities you can do anywhere in the world. The country is considered an extreme sports capital and takes safety seriously and proper safety measures are required by all tour operators.
You will start any bungy experience with consent forms and a safety check to ensure all equipment is properly secured. You’ll be hooked up to a braided cable attached to your ankles or chest. You will wear a full leg and body harness for added safety. These cables are designed for the elasticity needed to withstand the jump.
While bungy jumping is considered generally safe, it is an extreme sport and therefore does come with potential risks.
Bungy jumping is not permitted for jumpers who are pregnant, have recently undergone surgery, or have heart or respiratory conditions. You will need to let your crew know prior to booking if you suffer from low or high blood pressure, epilepsy, neurological disorders, asthma, diabetes, panic attacks, or anxiety. If you have any recent fractured, sprained, or broken bones, osteoporosis, or muscular issues, you should reconsider your jump.
Places to go Bungy Jumping in New Zealand
1. Nevis Bungy Queenstown
Starting off with the most thrilling bungy experience in New Zealand, the Nevis Bungy is the highest bungy jump experience in the country. It’s also the third highest in the world!
A thrilling 134-meter (440-foot) jump will have you free-falling for more than 8 seconds as you fly through the air plunging towards the Nevis Valley floor. It’s definitely one of the top things to do near Queenstown!
The Nevis Bungy costs $290 NZD and the experience lasts around 4 hours. I highly recommend bringing extra cash along to purchase some photos or a video of your jump – this is something you’ll want to remember (and prove you did to your family and friends)!
You will meet at the centrally located Queenstown Bungy Centre. From here you will take the Bungy Bus along the narrow gravel road to the site of your bungy jump – about 1.5 hours from Queenstown. Be sure to get here 30 minutes before your bus is scheduled to leave to ensure you have time to sign consent forms and check-in.
This bungy experience is for jumpers 13+. The weight restrictions are between 100-280 lbs (45-127kg). If you’re wanting to bring a friend along to watch you jump, spectators can tag along for $50 NZD with kids under 10 being free.
On-site, you will also find the Nevis Swing, a Nevis Catapult, and an area for spectators. The Nevis Swing allows you to ride solo or tandem as you fly on the 300-meter (985-foot) arc. The Nevis Catapult is quite the experience, I go into more detail in #4 below, so keep reading!
This company, AJ Hackett, has been operating since 1988 and has a great safety record for solid peace of mind.
2. Kawarau Bridge Bungy Queenstown
Remember I mentioned the first-ever commercial bungy site in New Zealand, well this is it! The Kawarau Bridge Bungy experience is the OG bungy site and I absolutely love that you can reach out and touch the water as you get to the bottom!
You will take the 43-meter (141-foot) plunge head-first toward the water below. You can choose to jump solo or tandem with a friend if you want a buddy to brave it with!
Another AJ Hackett company, Kawarau Bridge Bungy is a great option for jumpers who want to add that thrilling touch of water to their experience.
You should expect the experience to take 1.5 hours if you drive yourself, and allow 3.5 hours if you are taking the Bungy Bus. If you would like to take the Bungy Bus, you must organize this transportation ahead of time. Because this is such a quick trip from the city, it’s one of my top things to do while spending a week in Queenstown!
This bungy experience costs $220 NZD and is offered year-round. They are open daily from 9:30 am to 4 pm and there is ample free parking available.
This bungy jump is offered to people 10 years old and over. If you are jumping alone, the weight restrictions are between 77-350 lbs (35-160 kg). If you are jumping tandem, each jumper should be between 77-255 lbs (35-117 kg) with a maximum combined weight of 515 lbs (235 kg). The tandem jumper’s weight difference should not exceed 65 lbs (30 kg).
Bring your friends along as spectators and they can watch for free. Be sure to bring along some extra cash to buy some photos and videos of your experience.
If a bungy jump isn’t enough of an adventure for you, keep the fun going with a Kawarau Zipride. You will reach speeds of 60 km/hr (37mph) as you soar over the water. There are 3 lines you can ride for $30 NZD.
Related read: See this bridge from even higher on one of the top helicopter tours from Queenstown!
3. The Ledge Queenstown
The Ledge Bungy Jump Queenstown is the place to go if you want incredible views as you jump with stunning water, mountain, and city panoramas. It’s one of the best adventure activities in Queenstown and doesn’t require any major travel to get here!
You will start your experience by riding the Skyline Gondola to reach your jumping platform. If you’re really ambitious and find yourself here in the warmer months, there are a few hiking trails you can take to the platform but there is no way to drive up.
You will plunge 47 meters (155 feet) off the ledge taking in stunning views of the city, mountains, and lake.
I love this bungy experience because you are harnessed differently. Instead of the typical ankle harness, you are strapped into a full-body suit which allows you to jump off the ledge in any way you want. Run and jump, do a flip, twist, or spin as you leap off the ledge and soar down towards the beautiful city views.
The Ledge Bungy costs $220 NZD and is suitable for jumpers 10 years of age and older. Jumpers need to be between 77-280 lbs (35-127kg). This is another AJ Hackett company with an impeccable safety record.
The easiest way to buy tickets is from their downtown Queenstown office. They’re open 11 am – 4:30 pm Thursday to Monday. You will want to take the gondola up about 30 minutes prior to your jump time to ensure you have time for everything. Bring your friends along where they can watch you jump for free from the lower spectators’ deck.
If you’re not done getting your thrills, you can get the same epic views with the Ledge Swing also available on-site. You will ride up the gondola to get to the platform and find the courage to pull the self-release on the swing soaring 47 meters (155 feet) over the mountain taking in the stunning views of the area around you. Slightly cheaper (and less scary!), this $170 NZD experience is a great alternative to bungy jumping or a fun add-on experience.
4. The Nevis Catapult Queenstown
Although not technically a “bungy” jump, the Nevis Catapult is definitely worthy of being included on this list. It’s pretty similar to bungy jumping, and is a fun change if you’ve bungy jumped before and want to try something different.
The Nevis Catapult in Queenstown is located in the same area as the Nevis Bungy (#1 on our list). This thrilling catapult experience will have you flying 100 km/hr (62 mph) in 1.5 seconds as you’re propelled 150 meters (492 feet) across the valley.
If you aren’t set on going head first, you can be harnessed from your chest and do a slingshot-style catapult instead. The Nevis Catapult is the world’s largest catapult meaning you will get some major bragging rights!
I’m all for striking your best superman pose and soaring over the Nevis Valley! I love that amazing feeling of flying you get along with some pretty incredible mountain and river views around you.
The Nevis Catapult costs $230 NZD and is suitable for people 13 and over. Similar to the Nevis Bungy, you cannot drive up to this site and will instead meet at the downtown Queenstown office and take the Bungy Bus up to the site.
5. Shotover Canyon Swing Queenstown
The Shotover Canyon Swing in Queenstown is the world’s highest cliff jump and a guaranteed heart-pumping experience! Again, this isn’t your typical bungy experience since it is more of a swing. But, it does have you freefalling, so to me, it’s close enough!
This is one of Queenstown’s top tours as you jump an impressive 60 meters (197 feet) off the platform to the stunning canyon below.
Unlike bungy jumping, you will be strapped in with a chest strap and do more of a swing motion than a straight up and down. So it’s a little less extreme, but you’ll still need plenty of courage!
You have the option of either jumping solo or tandem on this canyon swing with solo jumps costing $249 NZD and tandem jumps for $458 NZD. If you want to buy a photo and video package, the price will go up about $50 NZD – but this is a really fun memory to have. I love having some proof to show my family (and convince them to join someday too!).
My favorite part of this Canyon Swing is that if you have too much fun the first time and want to go again, you can jump a second time for only $50 NZD. You can pre-buy your second swing, or decide on site that you want to do a second jump. If you buy the photo/video package on your first jump, you will even get free footage from your second jump as well!
The trip is about 2 hours roundtrip and the price includes transportation from Queenstown. This thrilling experience is available to jumpers 10 and older. There is a weight restriction of 160 kg (350 lbs) for solo jumpers and a maximum combined tandem weight of 180 kg (395 lbs).
Related read: After all that excitement, slow things down and relax at one of the best hot pools in Queenstown!
6. Taupo Bungy
Taupo is a town located in the middle of the North Island of New Zealand, about 3 hours from Auckland. This part of the country is beautiful and worth a visit even if you’re unsure about bungy jumping.
Taupo Bungy is New Zealand’s only clifftop bungy. The fall is 47 meters (154 feet) over the water of the Waikato River which feeds into Lake Taupo. It’s also one of the few in New Zealand that offers a tandem option, so bring a friend!
My favorite part is that this bungy tour in Taupo has the option for you to reach out and touch the water if you’re brave enough. It’s unbelievably clear water that you can see the contours of the shore beneath the surface of the river on calm days.
If you’re driving to the jump or road-tripping from Rotorua to Taupo, there’s lots of parking on site.
The minimum weight is set at 77 lbs (35 kg) and the maximum for a single is 330 lbs (150 kg) and 396 lbs (180 kg) for a tandem bungy. The cost is $195 NZD and is suitable for jumpers 10 years of age and older.
The Taupo Bungy is another AJ Hackett bungy site known for its premium safety record. Bring your friends along, as spectators can watch for free!
Related read: For another unforgettable experience, the North Island is one of the best places to see glow worms in New Zealand!
7. Rotorua Bungy
If you’re on the North Island and want to jump off something tall you should check out Rotorua Bungy.
It’s located about 226 km (140 miles) from Auckland, so you can easily stay in Auckland and make it into a day trip. The drive will take around 2.5 hours with Hamilton being about halfway and a great place to explore along the way. Make sure to read our guide on renting a car in Auckland if you need wheels for the trip!
The Rotorua Bungy costs $169 NZD and you’ll fly through the air at 60 km/hr (37 mph). The jumping platform is 43 meters (141 feet) in the air and you’ll be jumping overtop of a lush forest and grassland.
There are packages for individuals and groups you purchase that include the bungy jump, Agrojet, Freefall Xtreme, Freestyle Airbag, Shweeb Racer, and Swoop. If you’re interested in these individually, the additional experiences typically range from $35-$55 NZD per person.
- The Agrojet is essentially a speedboat that can reach 100 km/hr (62 mph) and zips around a custom-made racecourse.
- Freefall Xtreme is a wind tunnel that allows you to feel like you’re floating through the clouds as if you were to jump out of a plane.
- Freestyle Airbag is for all of us fans of extreme sports who’ve seen biking competitions with a huge jump. If you thought “I’d love to try that!”, now you’ll be able to safely pull off a bike trick and land on a huge inflated bag of air.
- The Shweeb Racer is an enclosed see-through pod that hangs on a beam like a roller coaster that allows you to travel around a long track and hit speeds of up to 50 km/hr (31 mph).
- Swoop is a “human swing” that accelerates from 0 to 130 km/hr (81 mph) in 1 second! You’ll start the swing 40 meters (131 feet) in the sky.
This bungy jump in New Zealand is operated by Velocity Valley Adventure Park which has been open for 18 years. They also have received a Qualmark endorsement meaning they are professional and trustworthy.
8. Auckland Bridge Bungy
One of the most iconic sights in Auckland is the harbor and bridge. The Auckland Bridge Bungy now lets you jump off that very bridge!
This is Auckland’s only real bungy experience (the Sky Jump below is a little different), so if you’re in this part of New Zealand, don’t miss out.
The jumping platform is 40 meters (131 feet) high and is attached to the underside of the bridge. If you’re up for a little dip, there’s even the option to bungy jump and dip your head into the water!
It costs $175 NZD to jump from this bridge and it’s suitable for anyone over the age of 10. All jumpers should be between 77-330 lbs (35-150kg). If you want to watch a friend or family member jump you can watch from a Bungy Pod for $20 NZD. These pods have been specifically designed and built just for you to watch from a safe place.
If you’re not set on jumping off the bridge, you can also do an Auckland Bridge Climb. For $135 NZD you can take in a full 360° view of the whole city as you climb up and over this iconic site. This guided experience is available to everyone 7 years of age and older and is a great option for those traveling in large groups.
This is another one of the AJ Hacket Bungy jumps so you know it’s been run by a reputable company that has been in business since 1988.
9. Auckland Sky Tower
One of the more exciting and interesting New Zealand bungy jumping courses is the Auckland Sky Tower. I mean you’ll definitely earn bragging rights saying you jumped off of New Zealand’s tallest building right?!
This is a 192-meter (630-foot) jump where you’ll reach 85 km/hr (53 mph) on your controlled descent to the bullseye on the ground below you. It also offers a super cool view of the city and harbor of Auckland and looks like you’re falling off a skyscraper in a big city.
The ride is guided by a wire that you’re connected to which ensures you land where you’re supposed to and has brakes that slow you down at the right time. But don’t worry, it’s still a rush with an epic 11 seconds of freefall!
It costs $235 NZD and it’s open from 9:30 am – 4 pm every day.
If you want to watch your friend or family jump you’ll be able to watch from the landing platform. You can also grab photos and videos of your jump so you can watch the excitement on your face as you jump and fall.
Anyone aged 10 and up can participate. There is a weight restriction of above 30 kg (66 lbs) and below 122 kg (269 lbs). In all, this experience will take around 45 minutes including the fall, paperwork, and orientation. Keep in mind you need to be sober for this event and will be breath tested before you jump.
10. Hanmer Springs Bungy
Hanmer Springs Bungy Jump is a 30-minute life-changing experience. It’s located in the northern part of the South Island around 600 km (373 miles) northeast of Queenstown with Christchurch being the largest city nearby about 1.5 hours south of the bungy location. I recommend this as a fun day trip from Christchurch if you’re nearby!
You’ll jump will be off the historic Ferry Bridge which was built in 1887. The freefall is an amazing 36 meters (115 feet) over the Waiau River.
The Hanmer Springs Bungy can be booked online here and costs $169 NZD. After you take the plunge you’ll get a T-shirt and a certificate saying you completed the course. Nice to have that proof right!
This adrenaline-filled excursion in New Zealand is run by Hanmer Springs Attractions. In addition to bungy jumping, there are many other activities on site you can choose from. These range from jet boating, rafting, 4x4ing, clay bird shooting, paintballing, and even helicopter tours.
Related read: Once you’ve tried bungy jumping, take things up a notch and try skydiving in New Zealand!
Renting a Car, Campervan, or Motorhome in New Zealand
Let’s face it, you’re going to need wheels to get around New Zealand. Although a small country, buses between destinations are infrequent and expensive. Plus, some of the best experiences you can have in NZ are on road trips!
You have three options when it comes to getting wheels in New Zealand; a car, a campervan, or a motorhome. Here’s what you need to know about each and where to get them:
- Car – A normal car is the cheapest rental vehicle you can get in New Zealand. It’ll get you around to all of the best destinations with ease. The only downside to a car is that you will need to stay in hotels or Airbnbs during your travels (no camping.) The easiest place to rent a car in New Zealand is on Discover Cars where you can compare cars, companies, prices, features, and more very easily.
- Campervan – A Campervan is a large van that has a bed and a small kitchen in the back. It’s what most budget travelers use for traveling around New Zealand since it allows you to camp comfortably and for free (most) nights. Campervans are best for couples or solo travelers who are happy to live in a small space. You should also love the outdoors and camping…and be prepared for an adventure of a lifetime! My favorite campervan rental company is JUCY because they have a huge selection of campervans to choose from, plus multiple pick-up/drop-off locations. You can browse JUCY’s campervan selection online here. Alternatively, you can easily compare all campervans available in NZ on Motorhome Republic here.
- Motorhome – A motorhome is larger and more comfortable than a campervan. Many motorhomes will comfortably sleep 6 or more people – perfect for a family visiting New Zealand. Motorhomes are the most expensive option, but with one you won’t ever need to stay in a hotel and you’ll save money that way. My top choice for a motorhome company is Star RV because they have beautiful motorhomes at affordable prices. You can check prices and availability for Star RV motorhomes online here. Alternatively, you can use Motorhome Republic to search all motorhomes in NZ. For more detailed info, read my complete guide to renting a motorhome in New Zealand!
EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT CODE: I’ve managed to snag a discount code for 5% off for my readers if you book your campervan or motorhome through JUCY or Star RV! Simply click here to select your JUCY campervan, or click here to select your Star RV motorhome, and then use the code DTRAVEL25 at checkout to get 5% off – it’s that easy!
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, I currently use and recommend SafetyWing. I’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had my back when I needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference I’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. I’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum and you get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped me out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given me peace of mind. Read my full review on if you should get travel insurance in NZ for more info!
Thanks for reading!
New Zealand is an adventure lover’s paradise! If you’re looking to take in stunning views and get your heart beating with some extreme activities, this is one of the best countries to do it. I had such a great time bungy jumping in New Zealand and trying some of the extreme sports this country has to offer.
Hopefully, this guide to bungy jumping in New Zealand was helpful! You’re all set with the best places to go and you know how to spell “bungy” in New Zealand (with the “y” always!). All that’s left is to book your jump!
Before your trip to New Zealand, make sure to browse around at my other blogs for more ideas and tips!
COMPLETE Guide to the 13 National Parks in New Zealand