Bungy Jump, Queenstown, South Island
Image Courtesy of NZ Tourism
Bungy (or bungee) jumping - it's as Kiwi as gumboots, sheep and the All Blacks. It refers to the unique experience of throwing yourself off a high structure (usually a bridge or tower) with a large elastic band (the "Bungy") attached to your ankles. After being in free-fall for a few seconds and hurtling towards the water below you, the band will reach it's full stretch and you'll be bounced up the other way just as you touch the water.
Variations of this "sport" have taken place in various tribal cultures for probably thousands of years. However it took a New Zealander, A J Hackett, to commercialize the activity when he first began offering it to the public from the Kawarau River Bridge near Queenstown in 1988. Since then millions of people have tried it at locations all around the world.
New Zealand remains the place in the world to try a bungy jump and there are several different bungy locations in both the North and South Islands. If you love adrenaline-pumping thrills then a bungy jump is a must.
Read More:
- Guide to Bungy Jumping in New Zealand
- Bungy Jump Sites in the North Island
- Bungy Jump Sites in the South Island
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