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Bungy Jumping in New Zealand at the World’s 1st Bungy Jump Bridge

The Kawarau Bridge Bungy World's first bungy New Zealand

If you’re going to be visiting the place where bungee jumping got started, you might as well go bungy jumping…right? I am deathly afraid of heights, but I had always told myself if I ever made it to New Zealand, I was going to jump off The Kawarau Bridge. So, when we were in New Zealand, this was literally the first thing we did. (This way I didn’t have time to chicken out. Haha.)

World Home of Bungy Jumping'- The Kawarau Bridge Bungy!

The Kawarau Bridge is where bungy pioneers AJ Hackett and Henry van Asch kicked off the world’s first commercial bungy jump back in November 1988. Around 38,000 people bungy jump off this bridge each year, now!

 The Original Kawarau Bridge Bungy Jump in Queenstown

The Original Kawarau Bridge Bungy Jump in Queenstown

You jump 141 feet (43 meters) in a matter of seconds! Also, if you’re going to bungy jump, DO NOT jump how I did above. I was terrified, so, I did a little bunny jump off the edge, basically. You’re going to want to try and “dive” off the edge (like how my husband did it). This way you don’t get whiplash when your rope kicks in, haha. It’s not the worst if you do it the way I did, but it’s much more enjoyable if you don’t jump this way!

Our videos of our jumps really show this better. My husband’s reaction to my video was, “How did you survive that?” Haha. I really whipped myself around! And my back was a teeny bit sore afterwards, but honestly, the video makes it look wayyyyy worse than it was! Check it out below!

My Bungy Jump Video

I swear I actually had a blast doing that! I thought it was funny to see how many shuffles it took my feet to finally get to the edge, haha. I was so terrified at that point. But other than that brief moment before I jumped, I did feel very secure and safe the whole time. These guys really know what they’re doing!

the Kawarau Bridge Bungy Centre,

The-Original-Kawarau-Bridge-Bungy-Jump-in-Queenstown

the Kawarau Bridge Bungy Centre,
I survived!

Now, my husband is apparently a bungy jumping expert. He knew how to properly jump and not look as though he broke his back! Haha. Check out his video below!

Zac’s Bungy Jump Video

Yeah, bungy jumping pro right there!

the Kawarau Bridge Bungy Centre,

The-Original-Kawarau-Bridge-Bungy-Jump-in-Queenstown

the Kawarau Bridge Bungy Centre,

We had booked and paid for our bungy jumps on Viator ahead of time. You can click here to see Viator’s page. Or you can schedule a jump on AJ Hackett’s site by clicking here.

If you’re heading to Queenstown, New Zealand, I would highly recommend doing this! It’s one of my favorite memories from our trip to New Zealand! And this is coming from someone who is afraid of heights, haha.

Would you go bungy jumping? Or have your gone bungy jumping? Let me know in the comments!

Shop my bungy jump outfit:

bungy jumping New Zealand
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26 Comments

  1. Wow you are so brave. I could never do it. What an adventure. The hardest part looks to be the bouncing up and down after the initial jump. So amazing you have the pictures and a video to document the experience.
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    1. Oh, I bet you could! You’re quite the brave lady yourself. 🙂 And actually, if you jump how my husband did, there’s not so much bouncing at the end. I jumped like a moron, so that was what all the bouncing was about. Haha.

  2. The scenery looks amazing. But no way for me. There’s not many things I’m afraid to try but this is one. And, I’m not even afraid of heights.

    1. Oh, really? You’re quite fearless, Nicole! I’m surprised this is one you wouldn’t do!

  3. This looks like such an adventure. Of course not for the faint of heart 🙂
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  4. OMG! This is SO AWESOME! Zac looks like he’s cliff diving! I would NEVER be able to do that! I can scale cliffs of any height, but I don’t JUMP off them!! You’re so brave, but it did look fun.

    1. That is SO surprising to me, Wendie! Seeing your photos of you rock climbing makes me queazy, haha! I could NEVER rock climb. You’re way braver than me!

  5. OH MY LORD AND TAYLOR! My heart would have been pounding but I have heard the physical act of jumping or letting go is the hardest and once you’re out there and falling, it’s quite a different experience. Not a fearful one! I can’t imagine it but I hope that is true! I hear the same is for skydiving and even though jumping off the plane is the frightful part, once you’re out, you’re blissful. I dunno, though…. 😉

    1. Haha. Oh yes! The part leading up to it is the worst part. Jumping and falling is actually quite fun and not scary at all! And I would say the same is true for skydiving. I just didn’t enjoy how much my ears popped while I was freefalling during skydiving – but other than that, they were both really good experiences!

  6. THIS IS FANTASTIC. I’m so impressed that you didn’t scream your head off! I would probably be crying. I want to do it – I always have, but I’d probably have to be pushed off that platform.

    Sarah
    Midwest Darling

    1. Haha! Thank you, Sarah! I think I get too scared to scream sometimes. Haha. And that’s what I thought too! But they actually won’t push you…and I didn’t want to have to climb back down. Haha.

  7. Wow, Lindsey—what an adventure!!
    I’m sure I would have done this in my younger days…I love roller coasters and the thrills!
    Jodie
    www.jtouchofstyle.com

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