Updated: 03/14/2019 | March 14th, 2019
New Zealand is known for its adventure activities. People come from around the world to white water raft, hike (they have one of the best day hikes in the world here), glacier trek, skydive, and bungy jump. And one of the best places to do a bungy is in Queenstown.
Queenstown is home to a lot of bungy operators, the most famous of which is AJ Hackett Bungy. AJ Hackett is the creator of bungy jumping and his company runs the biggest bungy in the region — the 134 meter Nevis Bungy Jump.
It’s the third highest platform jump in the world and the free-fall for this jump lasts almost 10 seconds. That’s a long time to be plummeting toward the earth if you ask me.
The sport of bungy jumping was actually invented by Hackett himself in the 1980s. Taking inspiration from a ‘land diving’ tradition in Vanuatu, he spent many hours trying to figure out how to make land diving actually work in a safe and consistent environment.
Once they had it figured out, he and his friends went to France where they then jumped off the Eiffel Tower. Now, this was illegal (obviously) and it resulted in Hackett briefly spending some time in jail.
But that stunt caught the attention of the entire world, and bungy jumping has been a common (if extreme) sport ever since.
Now I am really afraid of heights so even just looking at it hade me feeling queasy. Not surprisingly, I didn’t do it. The mere thought of doing it made me sick. But luckily I went with some braver people than I and they allowed me to film their jumps. Take a look:
Think you can handle the highest bungy jump in New Zealand? If so, you’ll need to pay 275 NZD for an adult ticket.
If you aren’t looking to jump, you can go as an observer for 50 NZD (you need to take a shuttle there and back, which is why there is a cost for observing).
While this isn’t exactly my cup of tea, if you’re an adrenaline junkie then you won’t want to pass up this incredibly epic expereince during your visit!
Book Your Trip to New Zealand: Logistical Tips and Tricks
Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.
Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay elsewhere, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. I use them all the time. My favorite places to stay in New Zealand are:
- Nomads (Queenstown) – Rooms with balconies, showers with awesome water pressure, pillows that are thick and fluffy, and a HUGE kitchen and common area. It’s one of my favorite hostels in the world!
- Haka Lodge (Queenstown) – This hostel has adult-only dorms, a chill common area with a big TV and movie collection, and the staff are super helpful. It’s in a great location too!
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
- World Nomads (for everyone below 70)
- Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
Looking for the best companies to save money with?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use to save money when I travel – and I think will help you too!
Want More Information on New Zealand?
Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on New Zealand for even more planning tips!
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