Key takeaways
- Three days is enough for a bungy, the Nevis, a lake cruise and a day trip to Milford Sound.
- Book the big-ticket experiences before you arrive: AJ Hackett’s Nevis Swing and Nevis Bungy need 4 weeks, or 6+ for New Year.
- Peak season runs 15 December to 15 January, and 30 December to 2 January are the busiest days of the year.
- Every day has options for people who don’t want to jump.
Your three days at a glance
| Morning | Afternoon | Evening | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | AJ Hackett’s Kawarau Bridge Bungy | Gibbston Valley wineries | Skyline Gondola and Luge |
| Day 2 | AJ Hackett’s Nevis Swing or Nevis Bungy | TSS Earnslaw cruise | Dinner in town |
| Day 3 | Milford Sound day trip | Milford Sound | Back in Queenstown |
Day 1: Where bungy began
Start at AJ Hackett’s Kawarau Bridge Bungy, the world’s first commercial bungy site, opened in 1988. It’s a 43 m jump with an optional water touch, from NZ$320 adult.
Not jumping? The Kawarau Zipride (130 m, up to 60 km/h, from NZ$50, age 8+) and Kawarau Swing (43 m, from NZ$240, age 8+) run from the same centre.
The Kawarau Bungy Centre sits on the Gibbston Highway, so spend the afternoon at the Gibbston Valley wineries nearby. Finish with sunset on the Skyline Gondola and a few rides on the luge.
Day 2: The Nevis
Take the 4WD Bungy Bus from the Queenstown Bungy Centre to AJ Hackett’s private Nevis playground. Allow 3.5 hours return. Choose your challenge:
- AJ Hackett’s Nevis Swing: 300 m arc, from NZ$325, age 10+. Read our Nevis Swing guide.
- AJ Hackett’s Nevis Bungy: 134 m, New Zealand’s highest, from NZ$395, age 13+.
- AJ Hackett’s Nevis Catapult: 150 m at up to 3G, from NZ$295, age 13+.
Doing more than one? The Nevis Thrillogy covers all three for NZ$805. Friends who’d rather watch can come on Nevis Explorer for NZ$50.
Back in town by early afternoon, take a cruise across Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw, then have dinner in Queenstown.
Day 3: Milford Sound
Spend your last day on a Milford Sound trip, by coach or by scenic flight. It’s a full day by road, so book in advance and leave early. If you’d rather stay close, swap in a second AJ Hackett experience or a combo you didn’t fit in on Day 1.
How far ahead should I book Queenstown activities this summer?
| AJ Hackett experience | Book ahead for summer 2026/27 | Price from (NZD) |
|---|---|---|
| Nevis Swing | 4 weeks, 6+ for New Year | $325 |
| Nevis Bungy | 4 weeks, 6+ for New Year | $395 |
| Kawarau Bridge Bungy | 3 weeks, 4+ for New Year | $320 |
| Nevis Catapult | 2 weeks | $295 |
| Kawarau Swing | 2 weeks | $240 |
| Kawarau Zipride | 1 to 2 days | $50 |
In December and January, book these before you arrive rather than on arrival. See the full summer booking guide for Auckland and Taupō too.
What if not everyone in the group wants to jump?
Every stop works for spectators. The Kawarau Bungy Centre has a viewing area, the Zipride is open to ages 8 and up, and Nevis Explorer (NZ$50) takes non-jumpers out to watch the Nevis Bungy, Swing and Catapult up close.
What if the weather turns?
AJ Hackett experiences run in most weather. If conditions close an activity, we’ll contact you to rebook or refund. You can also change or cancel up to 24 hours before.
