Bungy Jump with the AJ Hackett Team

You’ll already know that Queenstown is the adventure capital of the New Zealand/Southern Hemisphere/The World(?). You’ll know this because when you last typed ‘Queenstown’ into Google, it came back with 101 ways to pursue thrills in the Southern Alps of New Zealand.

You see, back in 1988 national icon A.J. Hackett and his mate, Henry van Asch, were in their early 20’s and shredding Wanaka and the surrounds. Their youth gave them the idea that you could produce a rope that could be strong enough to withhold a person jumping from a bridge… Sounds crazy on paper, but the boys did the maths on it and spent the summer jumping off structures all over the country.

Today, Bungy is all over the world. From Bali to Colorado and Cairns to Paris, it seems the treat of tempting fate plays well with the human condition.

With QT Queenstown readying the doors to open in early December, there inlays a reason to begin thinking about whether you’d be up to it or not.

Also, as Queenstown is the capital of adventure, you have two jump spots to choose from in the region. If you don’t want to travel to far from QT Queenstown, you could traverse the easy 1.1km to the AJ Hackett Bungy Ledge. This place will have you jumping out and over Queenstown while offering some incredible views.

Though if you want to get out into the wilderness, take the 30-minute trip out to the Kawarau jump spot to really feel at home. This place was the first bungy spot in all the world and is now home to the giant zip line if bungy ain’t your thing.

Welcome to Queenstown, New Zealand, the home of adrenalin.

Check out all that AJ and the gang have to offer HERE.

words by ben stephens