Queenstown bungy compared: Kawarau, Nevis, the Ledge, or keep the money
The decision is which jump to pay for, or whether to watch for free. It turns on height against time and price, the age and weight limits, and the wind on the day. Every figure is from AJ Hackett's own pages unless another source is named, with the date read.
Published 18 September 2026 · Last checked 18 September 2026 · By Queenstown Pocket
In short: Two Queenstown bungy jumps are open: the Kawarau Bridge Bungy, 43 m, from $320 adult and from $280 child, 1.5 hours if you drive; and the Nevis Bungy, 134 m, from $395 adult or child, 4 hours in total on the operator’s bus. The Ledge is closed with no reopening date. Minimum age is 10 at Kawarau and 13 at the Nevis. Watching from the deck above the Kawarau jump is free. AJ Hackett’s pages, read 18 September 2026.
The options side by side
| Option | Adult and child price | What you get | Time | Getting there | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kawarau Bridge Bungy | From $320 NZD adult, from $280 NZD child | A 43 m (141 ft) jump from the Kawarau bridge, solo or tandem; photos and video included; the Bungy Bus from Queenstown is in the inclusions list | 1.5 hours if you drive yourself, 2.5 hours on the Bungy Bus | 23 km on SH6, about 25 minutes, free parking on site; or the Bungy Bus from the Queenstown Bungy Centre, corner of Shotover and Camp Streets | AJ Hackett, Kawarau Bridge Bungy, read 18 Sep 2026 (opens in a new tab) |
| Nevis Bungy | From $395 NZD adult, from $395 NZD child | A 134 m (439 ft) jump, which AJ Hackett calls the highest in New Zealand, and 8.5 seconds by its figure; solo only | 4 hours in total from Queenstown | Return 4WD Bungy Bus from the Queenstown Bungy Centre, included in every Nevis price; the site cannot be reached by private vehicle; 45 minutes from Queenstown | AJ Hackett, Nevis Bungy (opens in a new tab) and the Nevis page (opens in a new tab), read 18 Sep 2026 |
| Ledge Bungy | Not on sale: closed and “soon-to-reopen”, no date given | At the top of the Skyline Gondola. Height, price and age and weight limits are not published while it is closed | Not published | Top of the Skyline Gondola | AJ Hackett, Queenstown (opens in a new tab) and the Ledge events page (opens in a new tab), read 18 Sep 2026 |
| Keep the money: watch at Kawarau | Free | The viewing deck directly above the jump zone; no booking, open daily; a cafe and shop on site | About an hour on the deck, as AJ Hackett suggests, plus the drive | 23 km on SH6, about 25 minutes; or a free spectator seat on the Bungy Bus from town, booking essential | AJ Hackett, Kawarau Bungy Centre (opens in a new tab) and Kawarau Bridge Bungy (opens in a new tab), read 18 Sep 2026 |
Where AJ Hackett writes “from”, so do we; we have not checked whether its booking flow prices vary by date or slot. The Nevis charges children the same $395 as adults, while Kawarau’s child price is $280 against $320. AJ Hackett says every one of its New Zealand experiences is free for people aged 75 and over (Kawarau Bungy Centre page (opens in a new tab), read 18 Sep 2026).
The Ledge. AJ Hackett’s Queenstown page (opens in a new tab) calls it the “soon-to-reopen Ledge Bungy and Swing” and gives no date, and its bungy menu lists only Kawarau and the Nevis. Its swings page (opens in a new tab) says the Ledge Swing, on the same site, is closed because of construction at the Skyline site and will reopen when that is complete, timeline not confirmed. The same Queenstown page still mentions the Ledge in its introduction, and two older AJ Hackett pages, a combo page and a corporate-events page, still show a Ledge price and opening hours. We have not printed them while the operator’s own Queenstown page marks the Ledge as not yet reopened.
Per metre and per second
Our arithmetic, from AJ Hackett’s adult from-prices and heights in the table above:
- Kawarau: $320 ÷ 43 m = $7.44 a metre ($6.51 a metre at the $280 child price).
- Nevis: $395 ÷ 134 m = $2.95 a metre. It is 3.1 times the height (134 ÷ 43) for $75 more.
- By the second: AJ Hackett gives the Nevis jump as 8.5 seconds, so $395 ÷ 8.5 = $46.47 a second. We found no matching figure for Kawarau on its pages, so there is no per-second figure for it here.
- By the clock: Kawarau takes 1.5 hours if you drive yourself or 2.5 on the Bungy Bus; the Nevis takes 4 hours in total.
One more height, kept apart from the jump: DOC (opens in a new tab) gives the Kawarau Suspension Bridge as 42 m high with a 120 m span (read 18 Sep 2026). AJ Hackett gives the jump as 43 m, and the sums above use its figure.
Watching free, and the cheaper rides
Watch at Kawarau, free. The Kawarau Bungy Centre (opens in a new tab) viewing deck sits directly above the jump zone, is free to enter, needs no booking and is open daily; AJ Hackett suggests about an hour. It is 23 km from Queenstown on SH6, about 25 minutes by the activity page or 25 to 35 minutes by the centre page, with free parking. Without a car, spectators can ride the Bungy Bus from the Queenstown Bungy Centre (“The Station” building) free, booking essential. The centre has a cafe and a shop; the Queenstown Trail’s page (opens in a new tab) also mentions toilets there and history panels on the viewing deck (read 18 Sep 2026).
Ride or walk across the bridge. The Arrow River Bridges Trail, on the Queenstown Trail, starts in Arrowtown and crosses the Kawarau Suspension Bridge itself before carrying on towards the Gibbston River Trail; DOC also lists the bridge on this route. The Trail’s page gives the whole trail as 13.3 km in its summary panel and 13.7 km one way in its description, 2 to 3 hours return by bike or 3 to 5 hours return on foot, Grade 2, easy. It does not give the distance from Arrowtown to the bungy centre on its own. Our Arrow River Bridges Trail and Gibbston River Trail pages carry any current closures.
Something smaller at the same sites. If the point is the gorge rather than the fall, AJ Hackett sells other rides at both sites for less than the bungy:
| Ride | Adult and child price | What you get and the limits | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kawarau Zipride | From $50 NZD adult, from $50 NZD child | A 130 m line at over 60 km/h; from age 8, and 8 and 9 year olds ride tandem with an adult aged 20 or over; 30 to 150 kg | AJ Hackett, Kawarau Zipride, read 18 Sep 2026 (opens in a new tab) |
| Kawarau Swing | From $240 NZD adult, from $200 NZD child | At the Kawarau Bungy Centre; from age 8 | AJ Hackett, Kawarau Swing, read 18 Sep 2026 (opens in a new tab) |
| Nevis Swing | From $325 NZD adult, from $285 NZD child | A 300 m (984 ft) arc; from age 10; 35 to 160 kg single | AJ Hackett, Nevis Swing, read 18 Sep 2026 (opens in a new tab) |
| Watching at the Nevis | $50 per spectator | The bus trip, including the crossing to the Nevis Pod; minimum age 7, under 10 supervised | AJ Hackett, Nevis, read 18 Sep 2026 (opens in a new tab) |
Age and weight limits
| Ride | Minimum age | Weight | Also |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kawarau Bridge Bungy | 10; under 15 needs an adult to sign consent | 35 to 150 kg solo; 130 kg maximum when the river is high | Tandem: 235 kg combined at most, and no more than 30 kg between the two |
| Nevis Bungy | 13; under 15 needs adult consent, and an adult with them is recommended | 45 to 127 kg | Solo only |
| Kawarau Zipride | 8; 8 and 9 year olds ride tandem with an adult aged 20 or over | 30 to 150 kg | |
| Kawarau Swing | 8 | Not in our reading; check AJ Hackett's page | |
| Nevis Swing | 10 | 35 to 160 kg single |
Sources: the Kawarau Bridge Bungy (opens in a new tab), Nevis Bungy (opens in a new tab), Zipride (opens in a new tab), Kawarau Swing (opens in a new tab) and Nevis Swing (opens in a new tab) pages, read 18 Sep 2026. Two of AJ Hackett’s pages disagree on Kawarau: its Queenstown page (opens in a new tab) FAQ gives 35 to 160 kg solo, while the Kawarau activity page and its FAQs page (opens in a new tab) say 35 to 150 kg. We show 150 kg; if you are between the two, ask before you book. The Kawarau centre page (opens in a new tab) words the consent rule more strictly than the activity page: under 15, a parent or guardian must be present to sign. The Nevis is solo only, by the Queenstown page.
What changes the answer
- Weather. AJ Hackett’s FAQs (opens in a new tab) say jumps run in most weather, including rain. A post on its blog (opens in a new tab) dated 30 June 2025 names high winds and electrical storms as reasons to stop, and icy platforms too. If the operator cancels for weather or safety, the FAQs promise a full refund or a free reschedule. We found no Nevis-specific wind wording.
- The river, at Kawarau. The maximum weight drops from 150 kg to 130 kg when the river is high, and touching the water is possible but not guaranteed: it depends on the river level, so ask the jump master at check-in.
- Queues and season. AJ Hackett advises booking ahead, especially December to March, when walk-up waits can be long. Bungy Bus seats are limited and departure times show only during booking; check in 30 minutes before the bus leaves. The Kawarau activity page gives summer hours (October to April) of 8:30am to 5pm and winter hours (May to September) of 9am to 4:30pm, last activity 30 minutes before close, open public holidays, closed Christmas Day; the centre page says 9:30am to 4pm daily. The operator’s pages disagree, so go by the times shown at booking. The Nevis runs year round and its departure times vary.
- Age and weight. A 10 to 12 year old can jump at Kawarau but not the Nevis; anyone over 127 kg is past the Nevis limit; a pair who want to jump together can only do it at Kawarau.
- Changing your mind. Cancel more than 48 hours ahead and AJ Hackett refunds you less a 1.99% card fee; inside 48 hours there is no refund (FAQs (opens in a new tab), read 18 Sep 2026).
Combos and discounts
AJ Hackett prices combos flat, with no “from”. The singles column is our arithmetic from the from-prices above, so the difference is between published figures, not a quote.
| Combo | Adult price as published | Singles added up (our arithmetic) | Difference (our arithmetic) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kawarau Bungy and Zipride | $355 | $370 ($320 + $50) | $15 | Kawarau Bridge Bungy page (opens in a new tab), read 18 Sep 2026 |
| Kawarau Bungy and Swing | $460 | $560 ($320 + $240) | $100 | Kawarau Bridge Bungy page (opens in a new tab), read 18 Sep 2026 |
| Kawarau Thrillogy (bungy, swing and Zipride) | $495 | $610 ($320 + $240 + $50) | $115 | Kawarau Bridge Bungy page (opens in a new tab), read 18 Sep 2026 |
| Nevis Swing and Kawarau Bungy | $545 | $645 ($325 + $320) | $100 | Kawarau Bridge Bungy page (opens in a new tab), read 18 Sep 2026 |
| Nevis Catapult and Nevis Bungy | $590 | Catapult price not in our reading | Nevis Bungy page (opens in a new tab), read 18 Sep 2026 | |
| Nevis Bungy and Kawarau Bungy | $615 | $715 ($395 + $320) | $100 | Kawarau (opens in a new tab) and Nevis Bungy (opens in a new tab) pages, read 18 Sep 2026 |
| Nevis Bungy and Nevis Swing | $620 | $720 ($395 + $325) | $100 | Nevis Bungy page (opens in a new tab), read 18 Sep 2026 |
| Nevis Thrillogy (bungy, swing and catapult) | $805 | Catapult price not in our reading | Nevis Bungy page (opens in a new tab), read 18 Sep 2026 |
The $100 gap on the combos without the Zipride matches AJ Hackett’s multi-activity discount on its Queenstown page (opens in a new tab): $50 off each activity when you book two or more, Zipride excluded, and $70 off each for three or more (read 18 Sep 2026).
How to book
AJ Hackett sells both open jumps on its own site. Its Kawarau centre page (opens in a new tab) says the return Bungy Bus is included when you book direct through bungy.co.nz, and that you must select the Bungy Bus as your transport when you book. The Kawarau pages also carry a banner: photos and video included, and a T-shirt when you book direct. For the Nevis, check in at the Queenstown Bungy Centre at least 30 minutes before departure, or ask for the Kawarau pick-up on 0800 286 4958 or Live Chat. If you are staying out of town, the bus page has the Orbus routes into Queenstown, $2.50 with a Bee Card.
Kawarau Bridge Bungy, on bungy.co.nz
From $320 NZD adult, from $280 NZD child, read 18 Sep 2026. Select the Bungy Bus at booking for the ride from town.
Book direct (no commission). We earn nothing on this one.
Nevis Bungy, on bungy.co.nz
From $395 NZD adult or child, read 18 Sep 2026. The return Bungy Bus is in the price.
Book direct (no commission). We earn nothing on this one.
Klook also sells both jumps. Its prices below are what klook.com showed on 2026-09-10; compare them with AJ Hackett’s own price in the table, because they move independently. The Kawarau card’s from-price is Klook’s swing option, and the line under it gives the bungy price. AJ Hackett’s pages tie the return Bungy Bus and the T-shirt to booking direct and do not say what a reseller booking includes, so check Klook’s listing for both before you pay. We earn a commission on Klook bookings and nothing on direct ones.
Kawarau Bridge Bungy, Swing or Zipline (AJ Hackett)
Three options: swing from NZ$240, bungy NZ$320, bungy and zipline NZ$355 · free cancellation
From NZ$240 per person on Klook, price checked 2026-09-10
We earn a commission if you book through this link.
The Nevis Bungy (AJ Hackett)
3 to 5 hours with transport
From NZ$395 per person on Klook, price checked 2026-09-10
We earn a commission if you book through this link.
Every AJ Hackett price on this page, and the rest of the big-ticket activities, are side by side in what Queenstown activities cost.
Questions people ask
How much is a bungy jump in Queenstown?
From $320 NZD for an adult and from $280 for a child at the Kawarau Bridge Bungy (43 m), and from $395 for an adult or a child at the Nevis Bungy (134 m), on AJ Hackett's own pages as read on 18 September 2026. The Ledge Bungy is closed with no reopening date. AJ Hackett says all its New Zealand experiences are free for people aged 75 and over.
Is the Ledge Bungy open?
No. On 18 September 2026 AJ Hackett's Queenstown page calls the Ledge Bungy and Swing soon to reopen and gives no date, and its bungy menu lists only Kawarau and the Nevis. Its swings page says the Ledge Swing is closed because of construction at the Skyline site and the timeline is not confirmed. Two older AJ Hackett pages still show a Ledge price and opening hours; we have not printed them.
What is the minimum age for the Kawarau and Nevis bungy?
10 at the Kawarau Bridge Bungy and 13 at the Nevis. Under 15, an adult must sign consent at both; the Kawarau centre page says a parent or guardian must be present to sign. The weight range is 35 to 150 kg at Kawarau (130 kg when the river is high) and 45 to 127 kg at the Nevis.
Can you watch the bungy for free?
At Kawarau, yes. The viewing deck directly above the jump zone is free to enter, needs no booking and is open daily; AJ Hackett suggests about an hour. Spectators can ride the Bungy Bus from town free, booking essential. At the Nevis a spectator pays $50 for the bus trip, minimum age 7.
Does the bungy run in bad weather?
AJ Hackett's FAQs say it runs in most weather, including rain; a June 2025 post on its blog names high winds and electrical storms as reasons to stop. If the operator cancels for weather or safety you get a full refund or a free reschedule. If you cancel more than 48 hours ahead you are refunded less a 1.99% card fee; inside 48 hours there is no refund.
Can you drive to the Nevis Bungy?
No. AJ Hackett says the Nevis cannot be reached by private vehicle; the return 4WD Bungy Bus from the Queenstown Bungy Centre is included in every Nevis price, and the trip takes 4 hours in total. You can ask to be picked up at the Kawarau Bungy Centre instead, by calling 0800 286 4958 or on Live Chat.
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Sources: AJ Hackett, Kawarau Bridge Bungy (opens in a new tab), AJ Hackett, Kawarau Bungy Centre (opens in a new tab), AJ Hackett, Nevis Bungy (opens in a new tab), AJ Hackett, the Nevis (opens in a new tab), AJ Hackett, Queenstown (opens in a new tab), AJ Hackett, Queenstown swings (opens in a new tab), AJ Hackett, the Ledge (corporate events) (opens in a new tab), AJ Hackett, FAQs (opens in a new tab), AJ Hackett blog, bungy in wild weather (30 June 2025) (opens in a new tab), AJ Hackett, Kawarau Zipride (opens in a new tab), AJ Hackett, Kawarau Swing (opens in a new tab), AJ Hackett, Nevis Swing (opens in a new tab), Queenstown Trail, Arrow River Bridges Trail (opens in a new tab) and DOC, Kawarau Suspension Bridge (opens in a new tab), retrieved 18 September 2026. Prices and limits are quoted as AJ Hackett publishes them; where its pages disagree, both figures are shown. The per-metre, per-second and combo figures are our arithmetic from the published numbers. The Klook prices are as klook.com showed them on 2026-09-10, beside each card. Independent guide; we earn a commission only through the Klook links marked above. This independent guide is published by Tally Sphere Limited, a New Zealand company. Spotted a change? Report a problem with this page and the page address comes with your email.