AJ Hackett - The Ledge Bungy

What?

A 'heart-in-my-mouth' moment followed by a heady rush of adrenalin, as I jumped off from the AJ Hackett Ledge Bungy platform, 47 metres high above the ground. The platform itself is situated 400 metres high above the 'Mecca of Adventure' that is Queenstown, New Zealand; offering panoramic views of the picturesque town situated on the shores of the clear blue waters of Lake Wakatipu, amidst the backdrop of the majestic Remarkables mountain range.

My Leap of Faith - The Ledge Bungy!

Mr. A. J. Hackett along with his business partner Mr. Henry van Asch, have been the pioneers of bungy jumping. The former had famously made world headlines when he jumped off the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France in June 1987, as a PR stunt. That caught on to people's imagination worldwide and soon the duo started the world's first commercial bungy operation on the Kawarau Bridge in Queenstown in November, 1988.

The cost of a jump from the Ledge Bungy is $180 for an adult, $130 for a child (minimum age is 10 years and children under 14 need to be accompanied by an adult) and $150 for NZ students with a valid ID. They also offer a family package at $490 for two adults and two children. The minimum weight is 35 kgs and maximum weight is 127 kgs. The safety and medical considerations can be viewed here and in the video below.

Whether coming to New Zealand as a tourist or being a local, a bungy jump in Queenstown is one of the absolute 'must-do' things to do. However it will be prudent to consider other alternatives before choosing the best one which suits you.

The Nevis Bungy

Option one: If you have an extra thirst for adrenalin and adventure, you could consider AJ Hackett Nevis Bungy which, at a height of 134 metres, is the highest bungy in Australasia involving a mind numbing freefall of eight and a half seconds. However this is pricier at $260 (only 13 years and above can participate and the same price applies to all) and $230 for NZ students with a valid ID. Your family and friends can watch you jump by paying $50.

The Kawarau Bridge Bungy

Option two: For experiencing a slice of history, you could go back to the birthplace of commercial bungy on the AJ Hackett Kawarau Bridge Bungy; the oldest in the world. Don't worry though, only the location is historic; not the ropes as all the cords at AJ Hackett's are used for only 1/3rd of their lives and then discarded, as claimed by the manager at Ledge Bungy. Though at almost the same height (43 metres) as the Ledge Bungy, the USP of Kawarau bungy is that it is the only place in Queenstown where you can do a tandem jump. Also since this is above the Kawarau river- you have the option to touch the water or even get dunked in! The prices are the same as the Ledge Bungy.

Tip: In case you want to experience more than one of these options, there are combo packages available. Also there are special packages and deals for groups and corporates.

Where?

Point B is the base of the Skyline Gondola which takes you up to the top.

The AJ Hackett office is located on the corner of the Camp and Shotover street in Queenstown (+64 3 450 1300). The Ledge Bungy is situated on top of the Skyline Gondola in Queenstown, New Zealand. The base of the Gondola is located on Brecon Street, PO BOX 17, Queenstown 9300. It is anywhere between a 10 - 20 walk from most of the motels and hotels in town. Queenstown has an international airport with direct flights from some Australian cities and all major cities in New Zealand. It is about 480 kms on the State Highway 8 from Christchurch, which is a major international airport in New Zealand.

When?

We visited the Ledge Bungy on 16th November, 2012 as part of our Familiarisation paper of the Diploma of Adventure Tourism Management course of Queenstown Resort College. The Ledge Bungy is operational as per the Gondola hours of 9 pm - late and is open all round the year. In winter when daylight is short, you can jump off in the dark above the glittering lights of Queenstown or if you are lucky, by the luminescence of the moonlight. That is indeed an unique experience!

How?

The price of the Gondola ride, to and fro, is $26 for an adult, $15 for a child (5-14 years) and $74 for a family of two adults and three children. This charge will be over and above the cost of the bungy jump. Once at the top, you will be welcomed into the office by the warm staff, be weighed in and made to sign the waiver form. Then you proceed to the platform which is a short walk from the office. We were a group of nine students plus a teacher and we all proceeded to jump one by one as per our weight.

On the Ledge platform. A QRC student (left) is being harnessed & readied while our teacher (centre) is about to jump. 

Once on the platform, you will be harnessed in by the jump masters and made to await your turn with the second in line while the first takes the jump. When it is your turn to jump, the jump master will give you the safety brief. The platform is equipped with video and still cameras and you get to pose for them before the jump. Since you are harnessed from your chest, your legs are free so you have the option to run and jump as you wish. The jump master will ask you the choice of your jump style, of which there are many to choose from - dive, flip, twist a-la-Matrix-style - the possibilities are limited by your imagination subject to the jump master's approval. 

And then you jump! Ah! The feeling, as gravity takes you into its embrace, is worth experiencing to believe! After a couple of pendulum swings, a rope with a carabiner will be lowered which you attach to you harness and you will be slowly pulled up to the safety of the platform. After this you can choose to be at the viewing deck to watch your family and friends jump off or return back to the office to watch you videos and photos with an option to purchase them.

Why?

Overcoming your fear. The leap of faith. The feeling of freefall. And most importantly the memory of a lifetime. Period.

That smile will always be evoked by this memory of a lifetime!

Summary:

The 'To-be-desired': Not much really, except some people don't really fancy their weight being stamped onto their hands as a constant reminder.

The Good: The warm staff, clear instructions, great photos and videos for memories, free bungy t-shirt and the fact that AJ Hackett Bungy Jumps have received 161 'excellent' and 15 'very good' reviews out of 183 reviews till date on TripAdvisor.

The USP: Bungy jumping, over a breath taking view of Queenstown, with AJ Hackett which has a 100% safety record on over one million jumps (all sites included) and the world's first company to receive a 'S' mark for exceptional safety and quality assurance.

My Word: Go for it!

PS: Do read what my classmate, Mr. Nicholas Shea, has to say about this trip in his blog.