Where bungy jumping began as a business, and where jet boats skim over a few centimetres of water between canyon walls. Watching is free; doing is unforgettable.
The Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge was built in 1880 to carry miners and supplies over the river. In 1988 AJ Hackett opened the world's first commercial bungy here, and Queenstown's reputation was made.
The jump is 43 metres, down to the turquoise water; you can ask to be dipped. Viewing platforms let non-jumpers watch from the bank and the bridge.
Further up the valley, the Nevis drops 134 metres from a cable car slung across a remote canyon, and there are swings and ledge jumps around town too.
On the Shotover River, jet boats race through a narrow canyon, skimming past rock walls and spinning in 360-degree turns. Add canyon swings, river surfing, skydiving and paragliding, and the choice fills the shop windows of Shotover Street.
From watching to jumping.
Stop on the way to Gibbston and watch the jumpers from the platforms, free.
Jump from the historic bridge, with or without a river dip.
Ride out to the pod over the Nevis canyon for the big one, or try the swing.
Fly through the narrow Shotover canyon by jet boat, inches from the rock.
Canyon swings, river surfing, tandem skydives and paragliding all leave from Queenstown.
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Book in town or online; operators run free shuttles from central Queenstown to the Kawarau bridge, the Nevis and the Shotover.
Combination tickets bundle bungy, jet boat and swing; worth it if you'll do two or more.
Photos and videos are sold separately. Jet boats spray, so expect to get a little wet.
Queenstown practical notes →Photographs from Wikimedia Commons and Pexels under their licences.
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