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Adventure in Queenstown
Photo: Destination Queenstown

Adrenaline & thrills

Adventure in Queenstown

The Adventure Capital of the World — bungy where it was invented, jet boats through canyons, skydives over the lake, and white water in between.

Queenstown earned its title honestly. AJ Hackett launched commercial bungy off the Kawarau Bridge here in 1988, and the town has been raising the stakes ever since. Whether you want to freefall, get soaked, or ride a zipline through native forest, here's where to start — book the big-ticket thrills ahead in peak season.

Big-ticket thrills

Dart River Wilderness Jet

Dart River Wilderness Jet

Journey into pristine Mount Aspiring National Park aboard a shallow-draft jet boat, navigating the ever-changing braided channels of the glacial Dart River. Experience true wilderness silence, ancient beech forests, and the otherworldly landscapes where Lord of the Rings was filmed.

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Hydro Attack

Hydro Attack

Strap into the world's only shark-shaped semi-submersible and experience barrel rolls both above and below Lake Wakatipu's pristine surface. This utterly unique vessel combines submarine stealth with fighter jet agility for an adventure that defies description.

From $179 NZDView details
Kawarau Bridge Bungy

Kawarau Bridge Bungy

Take the ultimate leap of faith from the world's first commercial bungy jump site, where AJ Hackett started it all in 1988. Plunge 43 metres towards the stunning turquoise Kawarau River from this historic gold mining bridge.

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Nevis Bungy

Nevis Bungy

Take the plunge from New Zealand's highest bungy jump at 134 metres, suspended in a glass-floored pod above the remote Nevis Valley canyon. The epic 40-minute 4WD journey through untouched wilderness is just the beginning of this ultimate adrenaline experience.

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Shotover Canyon Swing

Shotover Canyon Swing

New Zealand's highest cliff jump sends you plummeting 109 metres into Shotover Canyon with three seconds of pure freefall terror. Choose from over 70 creative jump styles while legendary crew members provide psychological warfare before pushing you into the void.

From $295 NZDView details
Shotover Jet Canyon Ride

Shotover Jet Canyon Ride

Experience Queenstown's original thrill ride as you rocket through narrow Shotover River canyons at 85km/h, complete with heart-stopping 360-degree spins. Since 1965, this legendary jet boat adventure has been making visitors scream with delight as expert drivers navigate impossibly tight canyon walls.

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Shotover River Rafting

Shotover River Rafting

Experience the ultimate white water adventure with helicopter access into the remote Shotover Canyon for 25 kilometers of Grade 3-5 rapids. Navigate the legendary Mother rapid and historic Oxenbridge Tunnel while surrounded by towering 200-meter canyon walls.

From $299 NZDView details
Tandem Skydive Queenstown

Tandem Skydive Queenstown

Leap from 15,000 feet into 60 seconds of freefall above Lake Wakatipu, The Remarkables, and the Southern Alps with Queenstown's most experienced skydive operators. The five-minute parachute descent over the Wakatipu Basin is pure magic — floating in near-silence above one of the world's most spectacular mountain landscapes.

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