Kawarau Bridge: The first bungee jumping site in New Zealand

Published: June 21, 2024, 2:21 p.m.

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On 12 November 1988, the world\\u2019s first commercial bungee jumping site was opened near Queenstown, New Zealand.

AJ Hackett and Henry Van Asch started out bungee jumping as a hobby with friends. They developed the bungee ropes and rigging system and found the perfect site \\u2013 the historic Kawarau Suspension Bridge \\u2013 which would give paying customers the chance to safely fall 43 metres.

It helped make Queenstown become the adventure tourism capital of the world. Josephine McDermott jumped from the bridge herself 20 years ago and finds out from AJ Hackett how it all came about.

(Photo: A jump from Kawarau Bridge. Credit: Getty Images)

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