Where commercial bungy jumping began
AJ Hackett and Henry van Asch opened the Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge site to the public in 1988, a 43-metre jump off a historic 1880 bridge over the Kawarau River. It's still the same site today, and it's generally credited as the world's first permanent commercial bungy operation — earlier jumps by Hackett and others (including off structures like the Eiffel Tower) were one-off publicity stunts, not a standing business.
The three sites, and how they actually differ
Queenstown now has three distinct commercial bungy sites, and it's worth knowing the difference before booking:
Kawarau Bridge (43m)
The original site, jumped from the historic bridge itself over the river gorge. This is the classic, most-booked option and the one with direct historical significance.
The Ledge (47m)
Launched from a platform on Bob's Peak, above Queenstown itself, reachable via the Skyline Gondola — the appeal here is jumping with the town and Lake Wakatipu visibly below you, rather than a river gorge.
Nevis Bungy (134m)
New Zealand's highest bungy, jumped from a purpose-built pod suspended over the Nevis River canyon. This requires a separate transport transfer into the canyon and is priced and booked as its own experience, not an add-on to the Kawarau Bridge jump.
What check-in actually involves
Arrive 30-45 minutes before your booked window. Check-in includes a weigh-in (harness sizing is weight-based, not guesswork) and a safety briefing from the jump crew. There's no minimum age, but there is a minimum weight (typically around 35kg) and a maximum weight (typically 130-150kg, varying slightly by site) — confirm the current limits with the specific site when booking, since they're set by the operator and can change.
Health and fitness exclusions
Pregnancy, certain heart conditions, recent surgery, and some back or neck conditions are common exclusions across all three sites — you'll complete a health declaration at booking or check-in. If you have any relevant condition, contact the operator directly before booking rather than assuming.
Best time to go
Early morning slots tend to have calmer wind conditions and shorter queues in peak season (December-February). All three sites operate year-round, weather permitting.
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