Kawarau Bridge

Kawarau Bridge, Queenstown Overview

Running over the Kawarau River is the Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge in the Otago locale on the South Island of New Zealand. Primarily equipped for business purposes and bungee jumping by the 'AJ Hackett Bungy Company', the Kawarau Bridge was the world's first business bungee jumping site. Housed within a reserve of the 'Department of Conservation, the bridge consists of some portion of the Queenstown Trail, permitting walkers, sprinters, and bikers to go past the rive. Today's bridge is an adventurer's fascination, highlighting the famous zip-lining and bungee jumping.

Prices

The minimum entry age and weight are ten years old and 35 kg, respectively. Children who are below the age of 16 must have a written and signed consent form by their parents or legal guardian.
Entry fees:
Adult - NZD 205
Children (10 to 14 years) - NZD 155
Students with a valid New Zealand student ID have to pay only NZD 175
Photo and Video Purchases:
NZD 45 and NZD 80 (combined)

The Bungee Fall

Security Instructions
Before your Bungee adventure at the Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge, you would meet the bungee community for security instructions. Visitors are then harnessed in special safety suits and taken to the launch site securely. The experienced guides will ensure thorough security into the harness while guaranteeing your comfort - regardless of your size or ability to bungee jump.
Before and During the Dive
When preparing to dive in, you will bounce from the bridge stage overlooking the usually glacial Kawarau River, while dropping at around 141 feet in five seconds. At the world's most admired bungee site, you can choose to topple over in reverse, forward, turn, somersault or even jump with someone else. You can likewise select to bob over the water, touch the water or be wholly immersed in it.
After the Exhilaration
You can also stand a chance to grab complimentary bungy t-shirts, photographs and video recordings of your bungy bounce after the adventure.

History

Planned by architect Harry Higginson and completed in the late 1880s, the Kawarau Bridge was shaped like a critical access course to the Central Otago goldfields. Replaced in 1963 by another expressway bridge on State Highway 6, the bridge is classified by the 'New Zealand Historic Places Trust' as a 'Category I' historic spot.

Bungee Tips

At Kawarau Bridge, people can jump as a group or even individually.
It is advised to wear closed-toe footwear, i.e., runners etc. and no sandals or flip-flops.
It is also recommended to dress warmly as the weather around the site sometimes gets quite cold as it is sheltered from the sun.

How To Reach Kawarau Bridge

The Kawarau Bridge is only about a 20 minutes drive from Central Queenstown.
Bungee Buses
There is a free Bungee Bus provided by the company whether or not you decide to jump. The Bungee Bus leaves from the Queenstown Bungy Centre, at the corner of Shotover and Camp streets in Queenstown.
By Drive
It is also possible to self-drive to the Kawarau Bungy Centre from Queenstown as there is a lot of free parking available. Kawarau Bridge is located on the State Highway 6 (SH6) in the Gibbston Valley. The bridge is only about 30 minutes north of Queenstown which lies even closer to Arrowtown.
Group Travel
Several tour groups will shuttle you to Kawarau Bridge if you book to travel with them.