Adventure Capital of the World

Queenstown > Kawarau Gorge > Arrowtown >

Glenorchy > Lake Wanaka

Getting Pumped to Bungee

The next morning, Dave shot right up out of bed and hurried us out of the hostel because that morning, he would be experiencing his first ever bungee jump. There are various ways to pay and legally dive off a platform in Queenstown. You can jump off a cliff, jump off a bridge, face water, face rocks, face the town below, swing off a platform, swing off a bridge, go with a partner, go alone, flip backwards or forwards, get knocked off, let go of or simply fall… all at various heights ranging from 40 meters to 140 meters.

The Bungee Ledge

Kawarau River

  
Dave opted for the world’s first bungee located at the Kawarau Bridge into the gorge. This 43 meter bungee was done in 1988 off the bridge into the gorge below. This is probably the area’s most popular, hence the $180 price tag and jumps that occur every 3 minutes. This seemed ridiculous to me because I jumped into a gorge in Costa Rica with no water in it, no line ups for about $60 USD.



I waiting in anticipation while Dave watched person after person jump off the ledge. I squeezed to the front of the viewing platform with the rest of the family and friends waiting in anticipation as their loved one gets strapped into the bungee gear to fall into the water and rocks below.

As I videotaped, I watched Dave step onto the platform with confidence. He may have been scared inside, but he didn't show it. He sailed into the air and was a foot away from hitting the water. I guess he was too confident with his jump because his bungee adjustments were suppose to allow him to dunk his head in.


I quickly rushed over to the other side of the viewing platform where he would be walking up a path. He had the biggest grin on his face. "It's only $60 to do it again."

"If the old man can do it, I can do it."

Walking out of the building, we ran into the most unlikely person.


"Are you going to jump?"


It was Holly! The same info desk girl in Te Anau/ Real Journey's ticket checker. She took a few days off her day job and was headed to Lake Wanaka to train for a few days before her Ironman competition. Wow!


After Dave’s head rush, we drove to Arrow, a quaint town between Queenstown and the bungee. It was the sight of the Shire in Lord of the Rings. The town didn’t really offer us anything. It was over priced and sold a lot of merino.


We headed back to Queenstown for a Thai lunch break and to charge our phone – our only photo taking device.

Pier in Glenorchy

Afterwards, we headed to Glenorchy, famous for the landscapes in Lord of the Rings, especially the Middle Earth portion of the Hobbits journey. I really couldn't identify any of it in the Lord of the Rings film, but I could appreciate the landscape. It was breathtaking with plenty of lookouts. We laid out in the sun on a pier on the Dart River, where jet boaters passed by and children who taunted each other to jump into the cold water. It was so amusing to find not only curious children, but children who came from different parts of the world wanting to do the same thing. We observed a Spanish family, NZ family and Australian family all debating whether or not to jump in.

Feet Hanging Over the Dart River

Favourite Spot in the Otago Region

Rugby League Game

After Glenorchy, we headed back to Queenstown. After parking at the most obscure spot on a hill, we began walking down towards the town and heard an announcer and lots of cheering. We found a rugby league game in play. It was Otago v Auckland. We only caught the last 5 minutes, but it was worth it to see the locals in high spirits cheering on their team. It reminded me of seeing a local baseball game in Texas; very hot with people in beaters drinking a lot of beer.


In town, at the same Information Centre, we booked Dave’s skydiving trip for the following morning. It was a tough decision because there are so many operators with different prices and packages. To buy the DVD or not? To drop from 14,000m or 12,000 meters? We decided the DVD (another $100+) was not worth it and that it was all about the experience. The planned on leaving Queenstown for the Glaciers the next day, so Skydive Lake Wanaka was a perfect choice, located en route to our final destination. Happy with our decision, we took a much needed Cookie Time cookies with ice cream chill out by the water.

That night, we met up with Felicity, her boyfriend, her best friend and her boyfriend at the Wild Orchid for dinner – they have a 2 for $25 special and were their steaks good!

It was so nice to meet up with a group of people who enjoy our same interests, our same age all living in Greater Sydney. This group for the most part live in Newcastle, 2 hours north of Sydney with exception to Felicity. We connected on our disdain for pretentious Sydneysiders, love of Australia, travel and the life of being a twenty something. We enjoyed the $5 beers and wines special and nearly shut down the place leaving close to midnight. We said our goodbye’s and promised to see each other again in Sydney.

The next morning, Dave and I had to pack up and go as soon as possible. His skydiving trip took place at Lake Wanaka, an hour North of Queenstown. The route from Queenstown was also indirect. We would have to take left on this highway, a right on this one etc.

The Road From Queenstown to Lake Wanaka

Via Crown Range

We finally arrived at 10:15 - fifteen minutes late. The front desk said it was no problem. Dave ended up going at 11:00 with a group who were also jumping at 12,000 meters.

At Skydive Lake Wanaka

The Hulk & Superman Poses 

Out of the Hanger

Boarding the Plane 

Four Skydivers in Descent

The Parachute Works!

Touch Down 

If Only 'Danger Zone' Was Playing

Huge Adrenalin Rush

I waited 25 minutes on the ground until I could see his blue parachute. As he descended, I could just imagine the excitement he was feeling. You know it was successful when you see the skydiver and the partner high five upon landing. Dave had completed the two big things he wanted to accomplish; bungee jumping and skydiving...in the Adventure Capital of the World nonetheless! I’m starting to reconsider doing both myself again, but where?


Trip Extras:

• Book an AM bungee and skydiving at the Information Centre in Queenstown Central
• Drive to the dive sites, so you can take your time driving back to Queenstown
• Visit Glenorchy to see Lord of the Rings 'Middle Earth'
• Bridge Bungee Jump: AJ Hackett Bungy New Zealand ($180 for first dive, $60 for second)
• Skydive: Skydive Lake Wanaka ($299 for 12,000 meters, 45 sec free fall)