Queenstown: Skydiving, Bungee Jumping & Skiing in New Zealand's Adventure Capital

Where Adventure Was Invented

Queenstown sits at 310 metres above sea level on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, a glacial lake shaped like a lightning bolt, surrounded by mountains that rise to 2,343m (the Remarkables) and 2,088m (Cecil Peak). The town of 15,000 permanent residents receives 3 million visitors per year — an extraordinary ratio that speaks to the magnetic pull of the landscape and the adventure industry built around it.

Bungee jumping was commercialised here in 1988 by AJ Hackett and Henry van Asch, who launched from the Kawarau Bridge with a crowd of 50 watching. Today that same bridge hosts 100,000 jumpers per year. Queenstown went on to pioneer commercial skydiving, jet boating, heli-skiing, and white-water rafting as tourist activities. The adventure tourism industry it created has been copied worldwide, but never surpassed.

Bungee Jumping: The Original

Queenstown has three bungee sites, each with a different character and height.

Kawarau Bridge (43m) — the original commercial bungee site, opened 1988. A historic bridge over the turquoise Kawarau River. The classic Queenstown experience. You can choose to touch the water or stay dry. Cost: NZ$205 (€115). Minimum age 10, minimum weight 35kg.

Ledge Bungee (47m) — urban bungee above Queenstown town centre. Accessed by gondola. Night jumps available. The views of Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables are extraordinary. Cost: NZ$225 (€125).

Nevis Bungee (134m) — the highest bungee in Australasia. A pod suspended above the Nevis River gorge, 45 minutes from Queenstown. 8.5 seconds of freefall. Not for the faint-hearted. Cost: NZ$275 (€155). Minimum age 13, minimum weight 45kg.

All operated by AJ Hackett Bungy — the world's most experienced bungee operator with a perfect safety record.

Skydiving: Freefall Over the Southern Alps

Skydiving in Queenstown is among the most spectacular in the world. The jump altitude is 4,572m (15,000 feet), the freefall lasts 75 seconds, and the canopy ride takes you over Lake Wakatipu with the Remarkables, Cecil Peak, and the Coronet Peak ski area filling the horizon.

NZONE Skydive — the original Queenstown skydive operator. Tandem jumps from 9,000ft (NZ$299/€168), 12,000ft (NZ$349/€196), or 15,000ft (NZ$399/€224). Video packages from NZ$149 (€84).

Skydive Queenstown — the second major operator. Similar prices, excellent safety record.

Best conditions: Clear days from October to April. The jump is cancelled in cloud cover. Book the first slot of the day for the best chance of clear skies.

Paragliding: The Gentlest Way to Fly

For those who prefer a more serene aerial experience, paragliding from Bob's Peak (above the gondola) delivers extraordinary views at a contemplative pace.

Tandem paragliding: 10-minute gondola ride to Bob's Peak (440m), then a 20–30 minute flight over the town and lake. Cost: NZ$249 (€140). Operators: G Force Paragliding, Coronet Peak Paragliding.

The combination of the gondola ride, the paraglide, and the views of Lake Wakatipu makes this one of the most photogenic experiences in New Zealand.

Skiing & Snowboarding: The Remarkables & Coronet Peak

Queenstown is New Zealand's premier ski destination, with two ski areas within 45 minutes of town.

The Remarkables — the more dramatic area. Jagged peaks, excellent beginner and intermediate terrain, and a terrain park. Top elevation 1,943m. 60km of marked runs. Best for families and intermediates.

Coronet Peak — the more challenging area. Steeper terrain, better snow grooming, night skiing on Fridays and Saturdays. Top elevation 1,649m. 45km of marked runs. Best for intermediates and experts.

Cardrona (1h from Queenstown) — the best terrain park in New Zealand. Excellent halfpipe, multiple jump lines, and good intermediate terrain. Top elevation 1,894m.

Lift passes: 1-day Remarkables or Coronet Peak NZ$149 (€84), 1-day both areas NZ$189 (€106). Season: June to October.

Heli-skiing: Queenstown is the heli-skiing capital of the Southern Hemisphere. Harris Mountains Heli-Ski and Southern Lakes Heli-Ski offer access to 1,000+ runs in the backcountry. Cost: NZ$1,200–1,800 (€675–1,010) for 3–4 runs.

Temperature & Month-by-Month Guide

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Best for adventure sports: December–March. Best for skiing: July–August.

Where to Eat

Where to Stay

Budget (€60–120/night): Haka Lodge (hostel, central, dorms from €30, private rooms from €70), Base Queenstown (social hostel, €25–80).

Mid-range (€120–250/night): Novotel Queenstown Lakeside (lakefront, pool, €140–220), Eichardt's Private Hotel (boutique, historic, €180–280).

Luxury (€250–600/night): Eichardt's Private Hotel (lake suites, €350–600), Matakauri Lodge (Relais & Châteaux, lake views, €450–800), Azur Lodge (9 villas, private terraces, €400–700).

Getting There

Fly to Queenstown (ZQN) directly or via Auckland (AKL) or Christchurch (CHC). From Amsterdam: KLM via Singapore or Sydney, from €850 return. From London: Singapore Airlines via Singapore, from £750 return. From New York: Air New Zealand via Auckland, from $1,100 return.

Queenstown airport is 8km from town. Taxi: NZ$25 (€14). Super Shuttle: NZ$15 (€8). Rental cars available at the airport from NZ$60/day (€34).

Insider Tips

1. The Nevis Bungee is in a different league — if you're going to jump once, make it the Nevis. 134m, 8.5 seconds of freefall, and a gorge setting that is genuinely dramatic.

2. Book adventure activities before you arrive — Queenstown's most popular activities (Nevis Bungee, skydiving, heli-skiing) sell out days ahead in peak season.

3. The Skyline Gondola (NZ$32/€18 return) gives the best view of Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu. Go at sunset and stay for dinner at the Stratosfare restaurant.

4. Milford Sound day trip — 4 hours from Queenstown, one of the great natural wonders of the world. Fly in (NZ$350/€197) or drive (free). Non-negotiable.

5. Wanaka — 1 hour north, a quieter lake town with excellent hiking (Roy's Peak, 5 hours return) and the famous Wanaka tree (a willow growing from the lake). A perfect day trip.