PULP TRAVELS: Queenstown Bungy Jumps 101
By Wilson Huang
It’s that week after mid-semester break where you’re either missing your one-week holiday or wishing you had one. If you’re one of those lucky people who didn’t have to catch up on half a semester and had time to spare, chances are you may have gone to New Zealand. If you’re an adrenaline junkie like me, you would’ve probably been in Queenstown.
Often dubbed as the ‘adventure capital of the world’, Queenstown is home to various adrenaline-filled activities such as skydiving, massive swings, rafting and jet boating. Arguably the most classic thrill activity, bungy jumping also calls Queenstown home. Queenstown is home to not only the oldest open commercial Bungy site but the highest in New Zealand.
During my mid-semester trip to Queenstown, I had the opportunity to finish all three Queenstown Bungy jumps. While I previously did one of the jumps earlier this year, I was able to do the other two this time around. If you’re wondering which one, two or three you should do, look no further for all your answers.
1. The Ledge Bungy (1997)
The Ledge Bungy is the closest to the Queenstown city centre and is accessed by the Skyline Gondola. Coming in at 47m this is the second-longest and Queenstown’s only freestyle Bungy. If this is the one for you, get ready for awesome flips or chicken runs. Given this was my first ever Bungy jump, I did the classic run and jump (and freak out). If heights aren’t your thing, you don’t have to look at the bottom when you jump, but you’re still 450m above Queenstown so good luck!
2. The Kawarau Bridge Bungy (1988)
Often known as the world’s oldest commercial Bungy site, the Kawarau Bridge Bungy is the shortest of the three coming in at 43m. If this is not enough to make it look achievable rest assured, you’ll be jumping ‘into’ the Kawarau River with a possible water touch if you request it. This is also the only one where you bring a friend down with you and be let off at the bottom. If all else fails and you still freak out (like me) or scream (not like me), rest assured you’re on camera to everyone else in the Bungy centre.
3. The Nevis Bungy (1999)
The highest of all the Queenstown Bungy jumps, getting to the platform of the Nevis Bungy seems as much of a challenge as jumping off it. Located above the Nevis River, this Bungy comes with 8.5 seconds of free fall down 134m. Being the last and longest of my Bungy jumps, this was my literal f*ck yeah moment and my only ‘scream’. Despite my nervousness, this was honestly the one I enjoyed the most given that I had time to get over the initial shock while reaching speeds of around 130km/h. The platform also features a glass window on the bottom letting you see fellow jumpers fall, if you can hold your stomach.