Queenstown: Nevis Bungy & Catapult Combo

The Nevis combo gives you two big shocks for the price of one: an 8.5-second, 134m bungy freefall, followed by a 150m catapult launch across the canyon. The bungy sends you down. The Catapult fires you forward. That change in direction is what makes this more than a repeat performance.

I like the small group of no more than six and the included photo and video package. You also get the rugged ride into the Nevis Valley, rather than simply turning up at a platform beside town. The catch is the $352 price, plus strict weight and age limits. You need to be ready for a serious commitment, not a casual sightseeing stop.

Key points at a glance

• 134m bungy freefall: You get 8.5 seconds of pure downward motion from Australasia’s highest bungy.
• 150m Catapult launch: The second ride sends you forward at up to 100kph, with forces of up to 3G.
• Remote Nevis Valley setting: A mandatory 4WD shuttle takes you from central Queenstown into an alpine canyon environment.
• Two different kinds of fear: The bungy is about standing at the edge and dropping; the Catapult is about being fired forward.
• Photos and video included: You do not need to decide later if you want to purchase the memory package.
• Limited places: The group size is capped at six, which helps keep the day focused and personal.

From Queenstown streets to the Nevis Valley

Your day begins at the Queenstown Bungy Centre inside The Station building, at the corner of Shotover and Camp Streets. Check in 30 minutes before departure. That early arrival matters because the shuttle to the Nevis site is mandatory, and missing it is not a good way to begin an adrenaline day.

The trip out is part of the experience. AJ Hackett takes you by 4WD shuttle into the Nevis Valley, a remote alpine area built around the canyon and its two major rides. You are not walking from a Queenstown shop to a platform a few minutes away. The setting feels more removed, which gives the day a stronger sense of occasion.

The central pickup point is convenient if you are staying in Queenstown, but parking is not easy. The operator does not provide parking at the Queenstown Bungy Centre. Central spaces are limited and paid, so you are better off arriving by foot, using your accommodation’s transport, or parking farther away and allowing about 20 minutes to walk to the meeting point.

Transport can also be arranged through the Kawarau Bungy Centre, but you need to contact the reservations team before your trip time. Do not assume you can change pickup points at the last minute.

The Nevis Bungy begins with the hardest ten seconds

The first major challenge is not the fall. It is the few seconds before it.

You are positioned for a 134m jump, the highest bungy in Australasia. The freefall lasts about 8.5 seconds, which is long enough for the sensation to change from hesitation to complete commitment. The canyon below gives the jump its scale. This is not a small platform with a quick bounce and an immediate end.

The practical lesson is simple: the edge is often harder than the drop. One participant described the final ten seconds before jumping as the only difficult part, while also feeling safe and well supported by the staff. That is useful context. The fear is normal, and the staff are there to guide you through the process rather than rush you.

Once you leave the platform, the experience becomes very direct. You fall, the bungy takes the load, and the ride continues into the rebound. The included photo and video package means you can keep the moment without having to hand over extra money afterward.

The Bungy is the classic test of nerve in this pairing. It asks you to step into empty space. If you have already done a standard bungy, the height and freefall time give this version a clear reason to feel different. If this is your first jump, the 134m scale may feel like a lot. That is precisely why the safety briefing and staff support matter.

The Nevis Catapult changes the direction of the fear

After the downward shock of the Bungy, the Nevis Catapult offers a different kind of launch. You are propelled 150m across the canyon at up to 100kph. The launch takes about 1.5 seconds, with forces reaching up to 3G before the ride moves toward weightlessness.

The useful comparison is this: the Bungy asks you to jump, while the Catapult removes the need to jump at all. You are launched forward. That makes it a good second ride because it does not simply repeat the same body sensation.

The Catapult is described as the world’s most extreme forward launch, but the number that matters most to you is the speed and acceleration. At 100kph, the action happens fast. There is little time to think once the mechanism fires.

This second ride may appeal to people who find a forward blast more exciting than a vertical drop. It may also unsettle you for exactly the same reason. The Bungy gives you a moment of choice at the edge. The Catapult turns that choice into a launch sequence.

Together, the rides make a good technical pair. One tests your willingness to step off. The other tests how you handle rapid acceleration. You get variety instead of paying for two versions of the same jump.

Why the remote setting matters

The Nevis Valley is not just a backdrop for the equipment. The isolation helps the day feel like a proper outing from Queenstown. You leave the town center, take the mandatory shuttle, and arrive at a purpose-built adrenaline site surrounded by a large canyon environment.

The journey also explains the four-hour duration. This is not a quick 20-minute activity squeezed between lunch and another booking. You need time for check-in, transport, safety preparation, both rides, and the return to Queenstown.

The remote location does create a trade-off. You have less flexibility once you are on the shuttle. If you are booking another activity the same day, leave plenty of space around this one. The stated duration is four hours, while the practical information also gives a range of two to four hours. I would plan around the full four hours rather than hoping for a short visit.

Staff support and the small-group format

This experience is limited to six participants, a useful detail for anyone who dislikes large activity groups. A small group can make check-in and instructions feel less crowded, and it gives the staff fewer people to manage at each stage.

Safety is naturally the main concern before booking. The supplied information does not name individual instructors, but the activity includes an English-speaking instructor. Staff are responsible for explaining the process and helping you get comfortable before each ride.

The emotional side matters here. One rider specifically felt safe and relaxed because the staff were friendly and reassuring. That does not remove the fear at the platform, but it gives you a clearer idea of the staff’s role. They are not there only to operate machinery. They also help you get through the pause before action.

You should still be honest about your nerves and physical limits. A reassuring team can guide you, but they cannot make the experience mild. This is a serious high-adrenaline booking.

What the $352 price really includes

At $352 per person, this is an expensive Queenstown activity. The value comes from combining two headline rides and including the photo and video package.

Booked separately, two major adrenaline experiences could cost more, and you would still need to arrange transport and memories of the day. Here, the price covers the Nevis Bungy, the Nevis Catapult, the shuttle requirement, and the media package.

I would not choose this combo because it is cheap. I would choose it if you already know you want both experiences. The saving is advertised as $100, so the combo makes the most sense for someone comparing the two rides rather than someone deciding between one ride and a general Queenstown attraction.

The photos and video improve the value in a practical way. You cannot easily record a 134m freefall or a 100kph launch yourself, and friends waiting elsewhere will want to see what happened. Since the media package is included, you do not have to make a nervous purchase decision after the ride.

If your budget is tight, pick one activity instead. If this is the main adrenaline day of your Queenstown visit, the combined price is easier to justify.

Who should book this combination?

This suits you if you want a major thrill rather than a gentle scenic outing. The strongest match is someone who likes the idea of both a vertical drop and a fast forward launch, and who wants a full half-day commitment.

It also suits visitors who value a small group and built-in transport. You do not need to work out how to reach the Nevis site independently. The pickup is central, and the shuttle takes you into the valley.

The minimum age is 13. Anyone under 15 must be accompanied. The weight range is 45kg to 127kg, and these limits are firm booking considerations. Check them before paying, especially if you are booking for a teenager or a group with different body sizes.

The activity is wheelchair accessible, which is important information for planning. You should still confirm any personal access needs with the provider before departure, but the activity is listed as accessible.

This is not the best fit if you dislike heights, rapid acceleration, or a fixed half-day schedule. You can expect support from the staff, but you should not book on the assumption that encouragement will turn the rides into something gentle.

Practical planning before departure

Wear clothing that lets you move comfortably and prepare for an outdoor alpine setting. The provided information does not list a specific clothing requirement, so do not assume a full packing list from the activity description. The key point is to arrive ready for a remote outdoor site and follow the staff’s instructions.

Check in at least 30 minutes before departure at The Station building. Give yourself extra time if you are walking from outside the center. Parking in central Queenstown is limited and paid, and the activity provider does not offer its own parking at the meeting point.

English is the listed operating language. The small group is capped at six people, which may help if you want direct instructions without a large crowd around you.

The reservation terms are flexible: you can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those policies are useful when your Queenstown schedule is still changing, but they do not remove the need to confirm the pickup time and location before the day.

The final call: book both or choose one?

Book the Nevis Bungy and Catapult Combo if you want Queenstown’s biggest adrenaline day and are comfortable spending $352 for two major rides, transport, and media. The strongest reason to choose it is variety: freefall first, forward launch second.

The package is also a smart choice if you would otherwise pay for both separately. The $100 saving and included photos and video make the price easier to defend.

Choose a single activity instead if you are uncertain about heights, working with a strict budget, or trying to fit several Queenstown plans into one day. The combo is not a casual add-on. It is the main event.

For the right person, the remote Nevis setting, the small group, and the friendly staff support turn the fear into a well-managed challenge. You still have to face the edge and the launch, but you do not have to face them alone.

FAQ

Where does the Nevis Bungy and Catapult Combo depart from?

Check in at the Queenstown Bungy Centre inside The Station building, at the corner of Shotover and Camp Streets in central Queenstown.

How early should I arrive?

You should check in 30 minutes before the trip departs.

How long does the activity take?

The stated duration is four hours. The practical information gives a range of two to four hours, so allow up to four hours for the complete outing.

Is transport to the Nevis site included?

Yes. A mandatory AJ Hackett shuttle operates from central Queenstown to the Nevis Valley. Pickup can also be arranged through the Kawarau Bungy Centre if you contact the reservations team before your trip time.

What rides are included?

The package includes the Nevis Bungy and the Nevis Catapult.

How high is the Nevis Bungy?

The Nevis Bungy is 134m high and provides about 8.5 seconds of freefall.

How fast is the Nevis Catapult?

The Catapult launches you 150m across the canyon at up to 100kph. The launch takes about 1.5 seconds and can produce forces of up to 3G.

Are photos and videos included?

Yes. A photo and video package is included in the activity price.

What are the age and weight requirements?

The minimum age is 13. Anyone under 15 must be accompanied. The weight range is 45kg to 127kg.

Can I cancel or pay later?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve your place and pay later.