#a j hackett

[ashokkhanvte]

LIVE MORE. FEAR LESS BUNGY JUMP Challenge.

[missfrodo]

This is one of my favourite places in New Zealand. No, in the world. It has everything. You want to party? There are over 150 bars a restaurants that want your cash money. You want to shop? Fill your bags with souvenirs to take home to your grandma. You want to throw yourself off high things without dying (hopefully)? Queenstown has bungee jumps and canyon swings galore. Save a lot of time and dollar for this town, you’ll need it.

Bungee Jump

This has to be the most popular activity in Queenstown. You can’t come here without throwing yourself of some high up structure tied to an elastic band.

You can be dunked into the river at the Kawarau Bridge, the worlds first bungee, at only 43 meters high. This was my choice, it almost made me cry, and I even did it tandem so I wouldn’t have to make myself jump. There is nothing reassuring about having some dude wrap a towel around your ankles followed by some Velcro. That is it. I am not exaggerating. Literally, towel and Velcro holding my skinny ankles and tiny feet in place.

You can choose to jump however you like at the Ledge Bungee which sits on a hill 400m above the village and lake. Run and jump, see how many times you can flip, ride a bike off the edge, whatever you want. And why not? If there’s a chance you’re gonna die, might as well go out in style.

If you’re totally insane (and I am one of these people now) you can choose to throw yourself from a cable car 134 meters above a rocky canyon on the Nevis Bungee. I’ve done higher than this now, and I can’t wait to conquer old fears and do this if I ever get the chance.

Canyon Swing

Another extremely high thing to fall off of. I happened to do this one four times. It’s 109 meters above the Shotover River and they have a list of different jumps you can try from backwards to the ‘Chair of Death, where you are literally tied to a garden chair and made to rock off backwards like you used to in school, except this time you actually fall – for 60 meters – before being swung out over the river towards the other side of the canyon. It’s unreal. There is also a Nevis Swing, 160 meters above the same canyon as their bungee jump, because why not?

Bob’s Peak

No, not some guys mid-life crisis. This is a hill in Queenstown with a whole bunch of fun on it. You ride the Skyline Gondola 450 meters above the town with fantastic views of Lake Wakitipu and the surrounding Remarkables mountain range. Also Rohan for all you Lord of the Rings fans. From way up here you can hit the Skyline Luge track, where you race tiny plastic carts down concrete tracks with nothing but gravity pulling you down. It’s fun until someone takes a corner too fast, rolls their cart, and looses some skin. Grab lunch with a view at the Stratosfare Restaurant & Bar. There’s also walking tracks and mountain bike trials, stargazing tours at night, and of course, the Ledge Bungee.

Queenstown Gardens

It’s a beautiful little park that is big enough to spend an afternoon wandering aimlessly around in, riding a bike, chilling by the lake having a barbeque and a few beers, or reading a book by yourself if you need to get away. It’s also home to possibly the only free activity in Queenstown, Disc Golf. A full 18 basket course, it will either be the most fun you can have with a frisbee or you will end up trying to injure someone on purpose with it. The aim of the game is to throw the disc into the corresponding basket, avoiding trees, people and the pond.

River Boarding

Another insane activity that was recommend for strong swimmers only, so naturally I ignored this very sound advice and went for it anway, almost drowning in the process. Basically, it’s Grade III and IV rapids (depending on the time of year) on a body board. Who needs a boat? Not this guys. They kit you out in wetsuits and helmets (because you wouldn’t want to hit your head while drowning) and spend a few minutes teaching you your new survival skills. You rip down the rapids trying to keep your shit together enough to swim in the right direction and not panic when a mini-whirlpool pulls you under, because you can’t fight it. Once you make it through alive you relax in the slow part of the river before being dragged behind on a jet-ski to the playground. Cliff jumps, slides and swings, it’s the best part of the tour!

Skiing and snowboarding

It’s only slightly cheaper than hitting the hills in Wanaka but you’ve got the benefit of being in Queenstown. You have two options, Coronet Peak or the slightly higher elevation of the Remarkables. The views are incredible, there is something for everyone (even if you’re a total wimp like I was at the time) and they did night skiing while I was there which is always a good adventure, especially when it’s a white out. Who needs to be able to see anything when they’re falling gracefully down a mountain? Rent your gear, pack a few beers and hit the slopes.

There are literally a million other bigger, crazier things to do in Queenstown if you have the time, money and guts to do them. You can also relax on the beach, hike or play mini golf if you’re sick of blowing your money. This town has it all.

Things to do in Queenstown This is one of my favourite places in New Zealand. No, in the world. It has everything.

[roundabouttoreallife-blog]

Kawarau Bridge | Doing what I'm afraid to do

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said 'always do what you are afraid to do' which I think nicely sums up the 9th June at the Kawarau Bridge near Queenstown. Yes I know it's the 'baby bungy' of Queenstown but for me it was high enough! When we arrived at the bungy centre we were shown a video on the history of A J Hackett and the invention of bungy which only prolonged my nerves! We went to the viewing platform to watch some people jump and I have to say, I really wasn't convinced that it was for me! Eventually, I decided to man up and just do it. Laura and I had planned to jump together (another example that although I bungied I'm a bit of a wimp!) One of the worst parts of the day was getting weighed for the first time since I skydived...! We were kitted up and we headed onto the bridge. I was shaking all over and the scariest part was shuffling towards the edge, I'm so glad Laura was there! The 30 or so people from the kiwi experience on the viewing platform only added to the pressure of not backing out! It was amazing to have their support and hear them cheering us on though. 3,2,1...no hesitation at all. You just jump and then you're part of the bungy club, simples! The feeling was incredible and I actually really enjoyed it. Such a buzz. I'd have regretted it if I hadn't manned up (been peer pressured) and done it!