DAY 14, KIWI EXPERIENCE
KAWARAU BRIDGE BUNGEE
Coming from Ireland, the tricky thing about a Bungee Jump is actually finding one but you don’t get any of that hassle in New Zealand. The adventure capital of the world is home to 2 (This one and the Nevis Bungee which you can read and watch here) of the top 10 jumps (the Guardian) and I couldn’t agree more.
MY LEGS WERE SHAKING LIKE A SHITTING DOG
We were heading to Kawarau Bridge Bungee, the worlds first ever bungy place run by the biggest bungee jumping company in the world, AJ Hackett. So you can be assured you are in safe hands. The jump is 43metres high within a stunning setting, making it an attraction in its own right. The bridge is a 100 year old railway line which goes over the Kawarau River, a beautiful crystal blue river which hosts almost every watersport you can imagine!
WHERE IS KAWARAU BRIDGE BUNGEE?
Kawarau Bridge Bungee. My first and favourite bungee jump
SIGNING UP
As usual we all got the option to sign up and jump while everyone else from the bus watches. Needless to say I jumped at the chance 😜 and knew there was no way I would be backing down with 40 people watching.
When it comes to bungee jumping most people think its all about the height. Yes they have a point but I have always enjoyed the smaller ones and that’s coming from someone who has done the highest bungee in the world (LINK). Don’t get me wrong the feeling gets more intense the higher you get but the smaller ones were more fun.
If I was only able to do 1 thing in New Zealand then this would have been it, I was super confident and since the driver told us it was our next stop the adrenaline took over! Waiting in the line I was super eager just to get in there and jump, not for it to be over but to finally experience it. Then I realised I was first!
THIS IS IT!
From the bridge I stepped down into the pod, introduced myself and then it all became very real. Fortunately the instructors are well rehearsed when it comes to first time jumpers as most are and I was so excited my legs were shaking like a shitting dog! He wrapped the towels around my ankles, strapped me up and said “do you want to go into the water?”
“Mate,” I said, “There are 30 girls watching me as we speak, you need to give me as much rope as you can!”
The fella sorted me out and gave me a bit of advice, “if you want to go deep into the water don’t jump out, just lean over the edge and everything else will just happen.
RELATED READ: HELICOPTER TOUR OF THE GRAND CANYON
So standing up and shuffling towards the edge that’s when this whole thing really hits you, nothing can prepare you for looking over the edge for the first time before jumping. Trying my best to act as if this is all completely normal but knowing fine well I am in completely uncharted territory I shimmy to my position. There is no backing out now. He points to the crowd sees all the girls from the bus and says, ‘say hello to your girlfriend’ I replied ‘which one?’
Heard the countdown, took a breath and jumped.
INCREDIBLE
One of the best things I’ve done, I ended up going in up to my knees so it turns out they gave me plenty of rope. After this Nancy boy (our driver) told us the reason why he was given the nickname. 10 years ago he signed up to do the Nevis bungy (143m), made his way out to the edge and couldn’t do it. This is a man who enjoys being a passenger in a stunt plane but couldn’t bring himself to do a bungee! I’ve signed up 🙂
QUEENSTOWN
I know I say this a lot but this is another place I have heard great things about. So much so that everyone is recommended to stay 2 nights but generally stay at least 4. In hindsight, 5 or 6 would’ve been perfect! We are staying at Nomads which according the Nancy boy has won every hostel award going. It even has a Sauna, which might come in useful!
Although it’s not strictly our last destination, Queenstown is known to be the place were you see most people for that last time, and for a farewell party there is nowhere better. Food at redrock then off to locos and finished in the world bar, where the drinks are served in teapots. Because there are the buses from 1, 2 and 3 days ago you bump into so many people who you have met coming form auckland, some of which you have never spoke to but have seen 100 times.
OFFICIAL EDIT BY AJ HACKETT 🤙🏻
My first and favourite bungee jump
GETTING ROASTED BY THE BUS 🤙🏻
My first and favourite bungee jump
FINAL THOUGHTS
My first bungy and an introduction to Queenstown, this is New Zealand at its best but yet there is plenty still to come.
NEXT UP
More activities, another bungy, plenty more alcohol and the worlds most famous burger during the next few days in Queenstown. Click to read and watch.
SAFE TRAVELS, DS x
25/229
This post is part of The New Zealand and Fiji Series, click to explore.
