by Elizabeth Coughlan

Created on: January 09, 2009   Last Updated: January 12, 2009

Bungee jumping aficionados seeking the ultimate thrill make for the shores of New Zealand, the Mecca for Bungee Jumpers. It was here that two savvy Kiwis, AJ. Hackett and Henry Van Asch, established the world's first commercial bungee site. They were inspired by a video of the members of the Oxford University Dangerous Sports Club experimenting with elastic cords in the 1970s. The students were trying to emulate the manhood ritual in Vanuatu, where young men throw themselves head-first off towers, with springy vines tied to their ankles.

There are bungee jumping sites all over New Zealand where you will be encouraged to leap from a variety of cliffs, bridges, rail viaducts, specially constructed platforms and stadium roofs; but to ensure the ultimate thrill it is important to know the best bungee jumping locations to add to your itinerary.

Queenstown, South Island

About 23 kilometers outside of Queenstown is the original bungee jump-site, on the Kawarau Bridge, located above the historic Kawarau River. It is, at 43 meters above the water, rather tame by today's standards, but it still remains the 'must have' experience for bungee jumping. It offers extensive jump menus like; tandem, harness, foot-tie and the popular 'water touch' option; or even full immersion in the river!

If the Kawarau bridge isn't high enough for you, take the gondola in Queenstown up to the The Ledge Urban Bungee. This jump is unique in that it has a 'runway' to launch you over the town at a height of 400 meters, before free-falling in a seemingly endless drop before bouncing up again. If that isn't enough of a thrill, try a scary night-jump over the lights of Queenstown far below.

For many, the ultimate challenge in this area is the Nevis High-wire Bungee, over the Nevis Valley. This jump is not for the faint-hearted. The first hurdle is the rugged 35 minute drive in a 4x4 before harnessing up and boarding the shuttle which ferries you to the Bungee Pod. This is the world's wildest bungee; eight-and-a-half seconds of free-falling a total of 134 meters!

Taupo, North Island

This might not be the highest bungee jump, but the scenery is spectacular as you step out onto a platform suspended 45 meters above the Waikato River Valley. As you jump, you hurtle by awesome white cliffs, down to the deep blue volcanic lake below, then after briefly touching the water, you are be thrown back up, high into the air. Don't worry if you keep your eyes tight shut on the descent, you can always buy the video!

Aukland, North Island

Often, the fun of bungee jumping is in actually getting to the jump-off point. Although the Aukland Harbour Bridge jump is only 40 meters high, it involves an unforgettable, and exclusive, bridge walk out to the bungee pod suspended over the Waitamata Harbour. If you missed the stunning view of the city on the way down, you will have time to savor the delights as you are winched back up to the pod again.

For the ultimate in terrifying jumps, the Auckland Sky Tower Sky Jump is a must. Although not strictly a bungee jump, this cable-controlled base-jump offers a different kind of free-falling thrill. The tower is 318 meters high and, from the ground, the jumpers look tiny and vulnerable as they lean out over the edge of the observation deck peering at the miniature red bull's eye painted on a raised platform 192 metres below them. This is their landing spot. Many potential jumpers get into the special suit with the full body harness and then can't quite get themselves to step over the edge when they realize how high they are. This jump takes real courage, but the reward is a 20 second unbeatable adrenaline rush. Happy jumping!

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