The Ledge Bungy is one of the best attractions in Queenstown and it is, quite literally, a bungy with a twist!
Tied around the waist, rather than your feet, you can take a running leap and spin or flip in any direction you like. There’s even a ‘Jump Menu’ to use as inspiration, but if you prefer to design your own, that’s ok too! Be brave and be original!
LOCATION
Situated about 400 metres above the city, with spectacular views of the lake and Remarkables mountain range, it seems like you have a lot further to fall than you actually do. It takes guts to throw yourself from the ledge when the people down below are nothing more than tiny specks. On the plus side, this makes for a very impressive backdrop to your jump photos.
CHOOSING A JUMP STYLE
When I arrived at the Ledge, there were photos of people who’d gone off with skateboards and bikes attached to them. I found some middle ground and decided to run off the platform then twist in midair so that I was facing the way I’d come. It might sound easy, but with all that fear running through your mind, it’s difficult to even remember how to put one foot in front of the other.
TIPS FOR A GOOD PHOTO
The bungy staff advised me to imagine there was a couch ahead of me and that I was about to run, flip and land sitting down on it. They also suggested that if I did ‘the guns’ with my hands it’d look really cool in the photos.
Turns out ‘the guns’ isn’t something that comes naturally even when I focus, and there wasn’t a chance in hell I’d manage to figure it out during free fall. So, my recommendation, if you don’t want to finish up looking like you’re giving the bungy staff two fingers, is to have the guns ready before you even do the run up.
MOONLIGHT OPTION
The guys at AJ Hackett bungy really have thought of everything. If you’d like to try something a bit more unusual, you can head up to the ledge at nighttime and do the jump by moonlight!
What would your bungy style be?!
GETTING TO QUEENSTOWN
Intercity Buses provide services to Queenstown from the following popular destinations (rough times in brackets): Wanaka (1 hour 30 mins); Mt Cook (5 hours); Franz Josef (8 hours); Christchurch (8 hours 30 mins). Further transfers are available from these locations. Use the tool below to search for specific journeys or click through to the Intercity home page for multi-journey discounts and organised activities.
WHERE TO STAY
Finding accommodation in Queenstown can be tough. It’s the adventure capital of New Zealand and people flock there year round. In the ski season in July, hotels were filling up weeks in advance. I didn’t book ahead and it resulted in me having to stay in three different hostels in five different dorm rooms. If you don’t fancy checking out and in every morning, get your reservations in early. Of the three places I stayed, Haka Lodge was by far the best. It’s clean and sociable, with all the amenities you could need. There are outdoor decks and two kitchen areas as well as a large TV lounge, and all of the beds have curtains for added privacy.
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I was offered a discounted jump by the AJ Hackett bungy team. They did not request that I write a favourable review and any opinions expressed here are my own.
You can follow my Kiwi adventures on Twitter via the hashtag #ScaredBritless or check out my Facebook updates here. For more information about travelling in New Zealand, visit 100% Pure New Zealand.
That sounds so fun, surely after all these activities you won’t be #scaredbritless anymore?
Naomi recently posted..Local Heroes: Paradiso
You would think! But I still have a pretty intense fear of heights. I think I’m more open to trying crazy activities after that trip. I’m probably a little braver…!
Not sure I could go bungy jumping ever… but if I did I think I’d prefer being tied at the waist and not at my feet!
I’m glad you were brave enough to do it though!
Beth recently posted..Travel Tuesdays: Top 5 Reasons to Visit Greece
Yeah, I think it’s a good one to try to get a feel for it. Not having to go head first makes it a lot easier, and if you can run up to it instead of balancing precariously on the edge, you’re less likely to wimp out too. Give it a go sometime! It’s a great feeling!
Seems like you spent more time in the sky than on the ground while in NZ! :)
Haha. Perhaps! :)
A moonlight bungy jump sounds really scary. Was this your first bungy jump? I think it’s awesome that they got pics of you at different phases of your jump.
Dana Carmel @ Time Travel Plans recently posted..Why We Chose Nicaragua & Why You Should Too
Yes, I kind of wanted to try the moonlight one too. I’m not sure if it’s scarier or not when you can’t see the ground! Probably worse. This was my second jump of 3. The first was off the Auckland Harbour Bridge and I’ll be posting about the Nevis soon! Can’t believe I ended up doing so many!
Wow – skydiving AND bungee jumping?! You are one daredevil! The pictures alone make my stomach turn but that’s because I’m such a wuss. My husband wants me to do a sky dive with him when we go to Dubai but I don’t think I have the guts to do so…For now I’ll live vicariously through other people who are far braver than me!
Kam @ A Married Couple & Their Travels recently posted..Travel Tuesdays – Bangkok Part 2
It’s not as scary as you might think. I say you only live once and you should go for it! It’s a great feeling – and I bet the views in Dubai would be really interesting! :)
I still haven’t been bungee jumping! I’m not sure if it would be better or worse in the moonlight since you can’t see the ground.
Jennifer recently posted..Golden Ring of Russia #gAdvRussia
I think worse! When are you meant to be doing one? I remember you mentioned it was on your itinerary…
WoW! Bungee jumping is to scary for me!
Muza-chan recently posted..The Statue of Liberty from Tokyo
Haha. That’s exactly what I used to say…
These photos are so awesome! I think you are making a peace sign. ;-)
TammyOnTheMove recently posted..Icebreaker shirt review and exclusive giveaway
Ok, let’s go with the peace sign then. Didn’t feel too peaceful at the time!
You didn’t look terrified, you looked really happy! I can’t imagine it. Just seeing your photos make me go weak in the knees.
Freya Renders recently posted..Private Italian Cooking Class in Rome
I do a happy face when I’m nervous. Trust me. I was terrified! :)
Never been bungy jumping but I have to say that being attached at the waist is far more appealing than dangling by my ankles!
Andrea recently posted..A Romantic Weekend In San Antonio
I know, right? I wish that had been my first experience too! It’s just slightly less terrifying :)