December and January are the busiest weeks of the year across the country, which means you need to plan ahead. If you’re thinking of participating in an AJ Hackett activity, then you should read on.
We’ve created an easy-to-follow guide on how far ahead to book each AJ Hackett Bungy experience — from Auckland to Taupō to Queenstown — so the summer holidays don’t sell out from under you.
At a glance: How far ahead to book with AJ Hackett
Peak demand runs 15 December to 15 January, and the busiest days are 30 December to 2 January. Book the high-demand experiences well before you arrive — the ones marked walk-up you can usually catch on the day.
| Experience | Where | Book ahead for summer | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nevis Swing | Queenstown | 4 weeks · 6+ for New Year | $325 |
| Nevis Bungy | Queenstown | 4 weeks · 6+ for New Year | $395 |
| Auckland Bridge Climb | Auckland | 4–6 weeks | $165 |
| SkyWalk | Auckland | 4 weeks | $215 |
| Kawarau Bridge Bungy | Queenstown | 3 weeks · 4+ for New Year | $320 |
| Taupō Bungy | Taupō | 2 weeks | $275 |
| Taupō Swing | Taupō | 2 weeks | $240 |
| Auckland Bridge Bungy | Auckland | 2 weeks | $260 |
| SkyRide | Auckland | 2 weeks | $330 |
| SkyJump | Auckland | 2 weeks | $330 |
| Nevis Catapult | Queenstown | 2 weeks | $295 |
| Kawarau Swing | Queenstown | 2 weeks | $240 |
| Zipride | Queenstown | 1–2 days to lock a time | $50 |
Peak dates: 26–28 Dec: Filling · 30 Dec–2 Jan: Peak — book early · 3–5 Jan: Very busy · 6–15 Jan: Easing
QUEENSTOWN — Kawarau Gorge · Nevis Valley
The world home of bungy, and the busiest of all our sites over summer. The Nevis experiences run on limited daily capacity and are the first to fill — book these before anything else.
Nevis Bungy — $395
New Zealand’s highest bungy — 134m, 8.5 seconds of freefall, reached by cable car over the Nevis Valley. Limited numbers each day.
📅 Book 4 weeks ahead for the summer holidays — 6 weeks for 30 Dec–2 Jan.
Nevis Swing — $325
The world’s biggest swing — a 300m arc across the valley at up to 120kph. Solo or tandem, so the less-certain can share the leap.
📅 Book 4 weeks ahead for summer — 6 weeks for New Year.
Kawarau Bridge Bungy — $320
The original. The world’s first commercial bungy site, running since 1988 — 43m over the Kawarau River, with the option to touch the water.
📅 Book 3 weeks ahead for late December, 4+ weeks for the first week of January.
Nevis Catapult — $295
Launched face-first up and out of the valley at 3G — the Nevis Catapult is the reverse of a bungy. Small numbers daily.
📅 Book 2 weeks ahead over the peak.
Kawarau Swing — $240
The Kawarau Swing is a giant swing right beside the historic bridge — a great first leap, and open to younger adventurers. Growing fast, so don’t leave it to the day.
📅 Book 2 weeks ahead over the summer peak.
Zipride — $50
A 130m zipline back across the Kawarau Gorge — the family-friendly way to fly, from age eight. The Zipride is one you can most often catch on the day.
📅 Usually fine to walk up — book a day or two ahead to lock a specific time on a busy day.
The Ledge Bungy & Swing — reopening November
Back at the top of the Skyline Gondola above town after time closed. Exact date and pricing still being confirmed — check back closer to summer if you want to add it to your trip.
TAUPŌ— Cliff-top over the Waikato River
Taupō’s Bungy and Swing launch from a cliff-top platform jutting out above the Waikato River — and the water below is so clear you can see the riverbed the whole way down. An easy, spectacular stop between the North Island’s two ends. 
Taupō Bungy — from $275
New Zealand’s highest water touch bungy platform 47m the river, with the option to dip into the water below. Solo, tandem & body harness jumps available for Taupō Bungy.
📅 Book 2 weeks ahead over the December–January peak.
Taupō Swing — from $240
The Taupō Swing is a breathtaking swing across the Waikato River Valley from 44m — solo or tandem, gentler than the bungy but every bit the view.
📅 Book 2 weeks ahead over December–January peak.
AUCKLAND — Sky Tower · Harbour Bridge
Two very different heights in one city. The Sky Tower experiences and the small-group Bridge Climb book the furthest ahead of anything we run — plan these early if Auckland is your start or finish.
SkyRide — $330
SkyRide is the newest way to take on the Sky Tower — 192m up and down. Fresh for this summer and already busy.
📅 Book 2 weeks ahead, and earlier for a set time over New Year.
SkyJump — $330
SkyJump is a 192m base-wire drop from the Sky Tower at 85kph — the tallest jump in the Southern Hemisphere, right in the middle of the city.
📅 Book 2 weeks ahead, and earlier for a set time over New Year.
SkyWalk — $215
A guided walk around the outside of the Sky Tower’s 192m pergola — no handrails, just the harness. Small groups, so SkyWalk books early.
📅 Book 4 weeks ahead for the summer holidays.
Auckland Bridge Climb — $165
A guided climb through the arches of the Auckland Harbour Bridge — the Auckland Bridge Climb is the most family-friendly experience we run, and the one that books the furthest ahead of all.
📅 Book 4–6 weeks ahead for summer — our longest lead time.
Auckland Bridge Bungy — $260
A 40m bungy from a pod beneath the Harbour Bridge, out over the water — with the option to touch the Waitematā when you do the Auckland Bridge Bungy.
📅 Book 2 weeks ahead over the peak.
FAQ about booking ahead with AJ Hackett
Q: How far ahead should I book an AJ Hackett Bungy NZ experience in New Zealand for the summer holidays?
Over the December–January peak, book the high-demand experiences 3–6 weeks ahead — especially the Nevis Bungy and Swing in Queenstown, the SkyWalk and Bridge Climb in Auckland, and anything on 30 December–2 January. Two weeks is enough for most other experiences, but keep in mind the Christmas and New Year’s period is our busiest time of year.
Q: What are the busiest dates?
The peak runs 15 December to 15 January. Book those dates as early as you can.
Q: What can families and younger kids do?
The Zipride and the Kawarau Swing both start at age eight, and the Kawarau Swing has a tandem option for eight- and nine-year-olds so an adult can ride alongside. The Auckland Harbour Bridge Climb is our most family-friendly experience and participants can be as young as 7.
Q: Where was bungy invented?
Commercial bungy jumping began at the Kawarau Bridge in Queenstown in 1988 — the world’s first, and still running today. It’s one of the few things you can only do at its birthplace, in New Zealand.
Q: Can I just turn up for an AJ Hackett experience?
Some experiences take walk-ups most days. But over the summer peak the high-demand experiences and the New Year dates do sell out, so booking ahead is the only way to be sure of your spot and your preferred time.
Q: Where can I find more FAQ?
We’ve got a wide range of FAQ over on our FAQ page. If you’ve got a question that isn’t answered there, just get in touch with our team.
