Every bungy jump in the world traces back to one spot: a historic suspension bridge over the turquoise Kawarau River, twenty minutes from Queenstown. In November 1988, AJ Hackett and Henry van Asch opened the world's first commercial bungy operation here, and millions of people have stepped off the edge since.
This is the guide to visiting the site itself: as a jumper, a spectator, or something in between. For choosing between all of Queenstown's jumps, see our full bungy guide and price comparison.
Why this bridge matters
Bungy did not start as a business. It grew from the land diving rituals of Pentecost Island in Vanuatu, where young men leap from wooden towers with vines tied to their ankles. Hackett and van Asch turned that inspiration into a commercial operation on a gold-rush era suspension bridge, and in doing so invented an industry.
That is why jumping at Kawarau feels different from any other bungy in the world. You are not just jumping off a bridge. You are jumping off the bridge.
Queenstown Kawarau River Rafting and Jet Boat
The jump itself
Height: 43 metres above the Kawarau River. Price: $220 adult, $190 NZ student, $170 child. Minimum age: 10 (tandem and Zipride from age 8).
Two things set Kawarau apart from the bigger jumps. First, the water touch: ask for it and the cord is set so you dip your head or hands into the river at the bottom of the drop. Second, tandem jumps: Kawarau is the site where you can jump strapped to a friend, which changes the maths of courage entirely.
At 43 metres it is the approachable icon: high enough to be unforgettable, low enough that first-timers actually go through with it. If it is your first ever bungy, this is the one.
Watching is genuinely great (and free)
Here is the underrated part: the Kawarau site has a free viewing platform, and spectating is entertainment in its own right. Watch strangers negotiate with themselves at the edge, cheer the leapers, and feel your own palms sweat from perfect safety.
If you are the designated photographer while braver companions jump, you will have one of the best vantage points in adventure tourism. And because the bridge sits beside the Gibbston Valley, Queenstown's wine country, the classic pairing is morning bungy, afternoon vineyard.
The middle option: the Zipride
Not ready to dive head-first but want more than watching? The Kawarau Zipride is a 130 metre zipline at the same site, from $30 per person (or $20 added to a bungy booking). It is the gentle option, open from age 8, and it means a family or mixed-courage group can all do something at the site rather than half standing around.
| Option | Cost | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| The bungy jump | $220 adult, $190 student, $170 child | Bucket-listers, first-time jumpers, tandems |
| The Zipride | From $30 (or $20 with a bungy) | Kids from 8, nervous partners, families |
| The viewing platform | Free | Photographers, cheerleaders, the sensible |
Shotover Canyon Swing
Combos and the bigger picture
AJ Hackett runs five jumping experiences across three Queenstown sites, and the Thrillogy combo bundles the three classics (Kawarau Bridge, the Ledge and the Nevis) at a healthy discount for anyone going all-in. Nearby, the Shotover Canyon Swing ($295, 4.92 stars from 166 reviews) offers a different flavour of drop, and rafting-plus-jet combos on the Kawarau ($329, 4.87 stars from 180 travellers) turn the same river into a full day. Our combo guide does the bundling maths.
Practical notes
- ✓The site is an easy drive from Queenstown on the way to Gibbston and Cromwell; tours and shuttles run if you are without a car.
- ✓Book ahead in summer: the original sells out like the icon it is.
- ✓Jumpers should wear secure footwear and leave loose items with friends or lockers.
- ✓Weather rarely stops jumps, but river conditions decide water touches on the day.
The bottom line
The Kawarau Bridge earns its place on every Queenstown itinerary, whether or not you jump. Jumpers get the world's most historic bungy for $220. Everyone else gets the Zipride from $30 or the best free show in town. Either way, you stand where an entire industry began.
See every Queenstown experience or the full attractions list to build the rest of your day.
Top picks for this guide
Queenstown Kawarau River Rafting and Jet Boat
Combining two of Queenstown's most iconic activities, this trip is second to none! Starting on the Queenstown Jet Boat, you'll get to experience those famous 360 degree spins and speed. Discover the K
Shotover Canyon Swing
Time to get psyched thrill-seekers: You can take an adrenaline-fueled plunge on the Shotover Canyon Swing, the worlds first commercial canyon swing. An innovative jump system that is equipped with cab
We may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
How high is the Kawarau Bridge bungy?
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43 metres above the Kawarau River. It is the approachable icon of Queenstown bungy: high enough to be unforgettable, low enough that first-timers actually jump. The water-touch option sets the cord so you dip your head or hands into the river at the bottom.
How much does the Kawarau Bridge bungy cost?
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$220 for adults, $190 for NZ students and $170 for children. The Kawarau Zipride at the same site runs from $30 (or $20 added to a bungy booking), and watching from the viewing platform is completely free.
Was Kawarau Bridge really the world's first bungy site?
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It was the world's first commercial bungy operation, opened in November 1988 by AJ Hackett and Henry van Asch on a historic suspension bridge. The idea traces back to the land diving rituals of Pentecost Island in Vanuatu. Millions of people have jumped at Kawarau since.
Can you watch bungy jumping at Kawarau Bridge for free?
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Yes. The site has a free viewing platform, and spectating is genuinely part of the experience: you watch jumpers work up their courage and cheer the drops. It is one of the best free stops in the region, and the Gibbston Valley wine country is right next door.
What age can you bungy at Kawarau Bridge?
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The minimum age for the bungy is 10, and tandem jumps are available, you can jump strapped to a friend. The Zipride opens from age 8, which lets younger kids and nervous companions take part at the same site without jumping.
Is there a bungy combo deal at Kawarau?
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Yes. AJ Hackett's Thrillogy bundles the three classic jumps (Kawarau Bridge, the Ledge and the Nevis) at a discount, and smaller combos pair Nevis experiences with a Kawarau jump. Nearby, rafting-plus-jet-boat combos on the Kawarau River run $329.
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