New Zealand is home to a number of adventure activities – from skydiving, to white water rafting, to jet boating, to bungy jumping. Prior to my move to the Southern Hemisphere, I never seriously considered the act of throwing myself off of a bridge. Seemed foolish. Seemed dangerous. Seemed terrifying.
And it was.
Shortly after arriving in Auckland, I came to realize that it would be wrong not to toss myself off of a bridge. AJ Hackett established the world’s first permanent, commercial bungy jumping operation in Queenstown in 1982. As I wouldn’t be in Queenstown for a number of weeks, I decided I couldn’t wait that long to jump. My first leap would be in Lake Taupo, high above the Waikato River – 47 meters high, to be exact.
Taupo Bungy
The traditional bungy jump often takes place off of a bridge – not in Taupo. The Taupo jump is off of a cantilever platform which juts out from a cliff over the clear blue waters of the Waikato. The view of the opposite shore of the river, contrasting with the steep cliffs on either side of the platform, makes you feel much higher than the 154 feet above the water you are.
I arrived at the jump site on a sunny, Sunday morning. A number of people were congregated around the viewing area watching the adrenaline seekers make the leap. With my nerves on edge, feeling slightly hung over from the previous nights drinking, I decided a New Zealand beer would be in order. As I nursed my Monteith’s Original Ale, I realized that postponing the inevitable jump wasn’t making things any easier.
After paying the required $109 for the privilege of defying death and jumping off a ledge, I was escorted out onto the platform. Taking a seat, my legs were bound together with a sort of harness. Attached to the harness was a carabiner. Attached to the carabiner was a rubber bungy cord. A frightening taste of what was to come, the cord was tossed over the edge of the platform. My stomach plunged as I felt the cord pulling on my legs.
I was told to stand up, and awkwardly shuffled my way to the edge. Trying hard not to look down to the waters of the Waikato below me, I listened to the last-minute instructions of the (hopefully) competent Taupo Bungy employee. I listened to him count,
“Three, two, one, bungy.”
And I leaped headfirst towards the beautiful water below me. It was a brilliant feeling. An instant rush of adrenaline that can’t be adequately described by words. An addictive rush that I guarantee I’ll experience again in the coming months.
Check out the video of my bungy experience:
Thinking of making the leap yourself? Before heading to the Bungy Site, stop into Taupo’s iSite for the ‘mates rates’ deal. If you can convince a mate to jump with you, you’ll both receive free DVDs of your experience (a $70 value). You know you want to …
13 December 2009 at 1:18 am
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!
watching that video was exhilarating, let along actually jumping! well done!
13 December 2009 at 11:45 am
A very graceful leap…the water looks lovely.
I am beginning to program myself for my jump!!!
13 December 2009 at 12:44 pm
I’m not sure how a person develops the desire to jump 154 feet off a ledge but if it’s genetic, it must have come from your Mother. I won’t be jumping when we visit in April.
14 December 2009 at 8:36 pm
Wow, Matty! That was incredible to watch! I felt on edge, just watching it. Looked incredible!
14 December 2009 at 8:37 pm
I forgot to ask. Was that jump as crazy as slack lining?
15 December 2009 at 6:13 am
DUDE! You have *got* to try skydiving! It is sooo much cooler than bungy jumping. But it looked like you had fun! Did you also go Zorbing?
How is Nicole finding New Zealand?
21 December 2009 at 4:59 pm
Wow that was kind of terrifying to watch, yet I can not WAIT to try it myself!
23 December 2009 at 8:14 pm
I often watched the jumps on youtube before leaving home – my heart would drop each time I saw someone make the leap! It still drops as I watch mine! Stay tuned for bigger jumps.
20 April 2010 at 10:13 pm
Such a stunning setting for bungee jumping! Your jump looks so pro, looks like you don’t feel scared at all!
20 April 2010 at 10:29 pm
It really is a beautiful spot. AJ Hackett’s K Bridge jump outside of Queenstown is just as epic, if not more impressive as far as scenery goes. It’s been busy as everytime I’ve been there though – I really enjoyed Taupo for the lack of crowds.
I was terrified, you just can’t think about it on the jump platform. As soon as you question the ‘jump,’ you’re in trouble. 3 – 2 – 1, and you have to bungy!
11 June 2010 at 2:06 pm
Great to see such an adventurous spirit and some great pointers about doing scary bungy things in New Zealand. Go backpackingmatt!!