Long ago, this was the only bridge that could transport you from one bank of the great Kawarau River to the other. Today, the Kawarau Suspension Bridge is best known as the home of the world’s first ever commercial bungee jumping site, which since 1988 has been welcoming daredevils from all over the world.
You can join them amid the captivating scenery and take the 43-metre plunge from the bungee platform one of the foremost attractions anywhere on the South Island of New Zealand. First-time jumpers will be well looked after by experienced staff, who will also help to put their mind at rest. Meanwhile tandem jumps are available if you want to share the experience with someone else.
The Kawarau Bungee Centre is equipped with both video and still cameras, capturing your big moment for posterity. Pose for the surrounding cameras as you jump and free-fall from the bridge. The cameras are strategically place to capture your facial expression from all angles! You can buy photos and even a DVD from the Bungee Centre and relive the experience all over again.
From the viewing platform, you’ll also be able to watch others as they take the plunge, as well as the view all the way down the Kawarau River. If you need sustenance after all the excitement, there is an on-site café offering snacks, drinks and lunch options. Also check out the Bungee Museum connected to the centre, in which you can learn more about the history of bungee jumping in the country.
Situated about a 20-minute drive away from Queenstown, you can get to the Kawarau Suspension Bridge by taking State Highway Six. Parking is widely available. Bus services are also available, leaving from Queenstown’s Station Building. It will cost you if you want to jump, but it’s free of charge to watch from the viewing platform.
