Choosing between Nevis and Kawarau for your Queenstown bungy jump depends on what type of adventure you’re seeking. The Nevis Bungy is your go-to if you want to face your fears with an extreme thrill. It is 134 metres above a rugged canyon and offers New Zealand’s highest bungee jump. Alternatively, the 43-meter Kawarau Bungy, set on the picturesque Kawarau Bridge, is perfect if you prefer a scenic jump with water touches.
We recently received a message from a customer who tried both and shared her thoughts on the experience. Her advice? “Experience both.”
My partner and I arrived in Queenstown looking for rejuvenation but found much more. We pushed beyond our comfort zones, tackling both legendary bungy jumps. This experience revitalised us, leaving us with a fresh perspective that has positively influenced other areas of our lives.
Nevis AND Kawarau: My Queenstown Bungy Story
We left our corporate lives behind and arrived in Queenstown. After days of fine dining, spa visits, and shopping, we felt refreshed, yet something was lacking. Queenstown is renowned for its wellness escapes, but it is also the world’s Adventure Capital. Compelled by this spirit, my partner and I decided to take the leap (literally). When in New Zealand, you do a bungy jump. Right?
You might think bungy jumping is strictly for adrenaline junkies, that no sane person would willingly leap off a cliff. Admittedly, I wasn’t much of an adrenaline seeker, but there was something almost spiritual about being suspended in nature alone on a rope, in a process inspired by the Venuatian land diving, a ritual over hundreds of years old.
Travel Logistics to Both Queenstown Bungy Jumps
The Kawarau Bridge Bungy is a 30-minute drive from Queenstown, accessible by car or the free Bungy Bus, making it convenient for those based in town. In contrast, the Nevis offers a more remote experience (self-driving is not allowed); it is 45 minutes away by 4WD bus over rugged terrain.
We were eager to immerse ourselves fully, so we took the bus to both jump sites. The moment the big black bus emblazoned with “LIVE MORE. FEAR LESS.” rolled up, I felt a surge of certainty. It was as if the universe was affirming my quest for self-discovery in adventure.
Walking down the bus aisle, I encountered a mix of expressions: some faces radiated excitement, others wore quiet determination, and a few were blanched, visibly anxious. I belonged to the determined group. I can’t say I was a fan of heights, but a persistent inner voice urged me to step out of my comfort zone.
The Low Down on the Bungy Jumps:
The Scenic Kawarau Rebirth
We started with the smaller jump (naturally), yet as we walked through the car park, adrenaline shot through me when I remembered that this was the site of the first ever bungy jump. AJ Hackett and Henry van Asch launched their bungy jumping operation in 1988, drawing inspiration from Vanuatu’s land diving ritual. This practice, considered a rite of passage for men, involves diving from wooden platforms with vines tied to the ankles. Like the Vanuatians, I wondered if this jump would cause me to leave something behind and enter a new phase of my life.
Everything moved quickly after that, and the next thing I knew, I was on the edge of the historic bridge 43m above the Kawarau River​, which glistened turquoise far below. With spectators watching from a viewing deck and the riverbanks, my nerves were jangling, but the atmosphere was somehow fun.
There was a moment to take in the picturesque gorge before I dove into oblivion. The aquamarine river zoomed toward me, wind roaring, and then my head and arms touched the water. There was a moment of utter stillness, and my heart cracked at the beauty of it all. Then boing! On my rebound, my breath hitched as I appreciated the stunning surroundings: cliffs lined with green bush, the Kawarau’s surreal blue below, and that historic bridge overhead.
Once I stopped bouncing, I was lowered into a boat in the river, where the AJ Hackett crew plucked me off the rope—a very James Bond extraction. I wore a grin so big it probably rivalled the canyon. Like the cliff jumpers in Vanuatu, I had my rebirth, and I was elated, refreshed, and ready for the next phase.
The Nevis and the Other Side of Fear
Standing on the Nevis Bungy platform, my legs turned to jelly, and fear gripped my insides with frosty fingertips. The Nevis jump pod is a small metal hut suspended by cables 134m above a rocky canyon​, swaying ever so slightly in the wind. “Don’t look down, just don’t look down,” I told myself . . . “Oh crap.” I’d looked down.
When I shuffled to the edge of the pod, my heart was pounding, and my subconscious asked me, “Are you sure you want to do this?” I glanced over my shoulder at my partner, who nodded assuredly, but his face was pale.
The crew did a countdown – “5, 4, 3, 2, 1, go!” – and, with a primal yell, I dived forward. Nothing can prepare you for that freefall. It’s 8.5 seconds of pure fear and adrenaline​, where the world flips upside down. The canyon walls rush past as you plunge toward the raging Nevis River far below.​
I’m pretty sure I left my stomach back on the platform with my inhibitions. The speed was insane—I felt weightless and momentarily powerless, like a leaf in the wind; the only thing to do was look my fear straight in the eyes and surrender to it. So, with an exhale, that’s what I did.
I started to process what was happening after the bungee cord stretched to its limit and yanked me upward. I was bouncing in the middle of a canyon, alive and exhilarated on a dopamine high greater than anything I’d ever experienced. I had just conquered my greatest nemesis—fear.
Personal Reflection
We came to Queenstown seeking rejuvenation. The last place we expected to find it was in two adrenaline-pumping bungy jumps.
After our adventure, we were left with a sense of calm that persisted long after we returned to work. This newfound tranquility improved our decision-making skills in our jobs. These benefits have continued influencing our daily lives, helping us understand why cliff diving is a rite of passage for the Vanuatuans.
Each jump taught me something about myself and my limits; freefall was as much about flying as it was about falling.
Book Here to experience both the Kawarau Bridge Bungy and Nevis Bungy.
FAQ’s
Which Queenstown bungy jump is better for first-timers—Nevis or Kawarau?
If it’s your first bungy experience, the Kawarau Bungy is a great starting point. At 43 metres, it’s less intimidating than the 134-metre Nevis Bungy, and the scenic setting over the Kawarau River offers a stunning and memorable introduction to bungy jumping. You also have the option to dip into the water, which adds a fun twist.
What’s the main difference between the Nevis and Kawarau Bungy experiences?
The Nevis Bungy is all about extreme thrill—New Zealand’s highest bungy with an 8.5-second freefall over a remote canyon. In contrast, the Kawarau Bungy offers a more accessible, scenic experience from the historic Kawarau Bridge, with river views and a more relaxed vibe. The Nevis challenges your limits; Kawarau gives you a beautiful, adrenaline-charged moment.
