Taupō: Bungy Jump and Swing Combo

The main draw is the 47-meter bungy above the Waikato River, New Zealand’s highest water touch bungy. You control the finish: brush the crystal-clear water with your fingers, submerge fully, or stay dry. I like the choice, and I like that the same booking also includes the 70 km/h Taupō Swing, so you get two very different kinds of fear for one price.

I also like the solo or tandem format. You can jump or swing alone, or share either activity with a friend. The catch is that this is still a serious physical experience, with weight limits, age rules, and a combined tandem limit, so check those details before you book.

Key points to know

• 47-meter water touch bungy: Choose a fingertip touch, a full body dip, or no contact with the Waikato River.
• 70 km/h Taupō Swing: Hang 44 meters above the river, then freefall before swinging through a wide 180-degree arc.
• Two activities in one booking: Your $248 price covers one person for both the bungy and the swing.
• Solo or tandem choices: Decide on the day, with the same per-person price for either style.
• Photos and video included: You can take home visual proof of both activities without buying a separate media package.
• Small group setting: Participation is limited to four people, which keeps the check-in and activity flow fairly personal.

Two big thrills above the Waikato River

AJ Hackett’s Taupō Bungy and Swing Centre puts both activities in the same striking location above the Waikato River. The river setting matters here. You are not simply jumping from a tall structure into open air. You are looking down at clear water, steep rock, and a broad stretch of the river while the staff prepare you for the next step.

The bungy platform reaches 47 meters above the river. It is described as the world’s first cantilever bungy platform, which means the structure projects out over the edge rather than sitting directly above a solid base. That design gives you a clear view beneath your feet and makes the leap feel more exposed.

You can choose your level of contact with the water. A light fingertip touch is available if you want the classic water touch without getting soaked. You can also submerge your whole body, or remain high and dry. This choice is one of the best features for first-timers who want control over how intense the final moment becomes.

The second activity uses a different motion. The Taupō Swing begins with you harnessed and attached, then lifted out 44 meters above the river. You hang in place until the countdown or a surprise release, then drop feet-first at speeds of up to 70 km/h before swinging through an arc of up to 180 degrees.

What happens from check-in to the first jump

You meet the team at the Taupō Bungy and Swing Centre. If you are staying within Taupō, complimentary pick-up and drop-off are available. You can also drive yourself, with free parking at the centre.

The group size is limited to four participants. That does not remove all waiting time, since each person needs preparation and equipment checks, but it should feel more manageable than a large commercial ride. You will have time to decide whether you want to go solo or tandem for each activity.

The choice is made on the day. You might jump alone but take the swing with a friend, or choose the same format for both. The price remains $248 per person, and the bungy and swing package cannot be split between two people. In other words, one person cannot do only the bungy while another takes only the swing.

Before you take part, pay close attention to the safety briefing and tell the team about any physical concern. A New Zealand participant with a weak knee explained that the issue was discussed during onboarding, and the staff used a waist attachment instead of an ankle setup for that bungy. The team also talked the participant through the fear before the leap.

That detail is useful, but do not treat it as a promise that every physical condition can be accommodated. If you have a knee problem or another concern, raise it before you book or at check-in. The supplied information gives a clear minimum age of 10, with ages 10 to 14 needing an accompanying parent.

The 47-meter bungy and your choice of water contact

The bungy is the more traditional of the two activities, but the water option gives it a Taupō-specific twist. From the cantilever platform, you look down toward the Waikato River and decide how close you want to get.

The experience offers three practical choices:

• Touch the water with your fingertips.
• Submerge your full body.
• Stay above the water.

The first option is likely the best compromise if you want the photo and sensation of a water touch without committing to a full soak. Full submersion gives you the most dramatic finish, but you should expect a much wetter experience. Staying dry may suit you if the jump itself is the goal and you do not want the river to be part of the landing.

You can take the bungy solo or tandem. A solo jump gives you the cleanest personal challenge. A tandem jump lets you share the leap with a friend, though the practical restrictions matter. Tandem participants must stay within a combined maximum weight of 180 kilograms, and for a tandem bungy, the difference between participants cannot exceed 30 kilograms.

Each person must weigh at least 35 kilograms and no more than 150 kilograms. Those limits apply to the individual, while the combined figure applies to tandem participation. Check this before setting your plans around the experience.

The Taupō Swing drops feet-first at 70 km/h

The swing feels different from the bungy because you are harnessed in a feet-first position and eventually travel through a broad pendulum motion. You are brought 44 meters out above the river and left hanging in mid-air until the countdown or a surprise release.

That pause is part of the experience. It gives you a moment to look at the river and gather yourself, but it can also make the anticipation worse. If you dislike suspense, the surprise release option may not appeal to you. If you enjoy the build-up, the waiting is likely to become one of the most memorable parts.

Once released, you freefall toward the river at speeds of up to 70 km/h. The swing then arcs as far as 180 degrees before the winch brings you back to the platform. You are not simply dropping straight down and stopping. The motion changes from vertical fall to a long swinging curve, so the two activities offer distinct sensations.

You can take the swing solo or tandem. Tandem participation is a good fit if you want to share the moment, though the same combined maximum weight of 180 kilograms applies. The supplied information does not give a separate tandem swing weight-difference rule, so ask the team if that point affects your group.

Why the included media adds real value

Photos and video of both activities are included in the $248 price. That is important because the people taking part cannot easily document the jump themselves. You can focus on the platform, the river, and the actual leap instead of worrying about recording it.

The media package also helps you compare the two experiences afterward. A bungy image may capture the water touch or the moment you leave the platform, while the swing footage can show the feet-first drop and wide arc. You receive coverage of both activities rather than having to choose one for an extra charge.

Merchandise is not included, so the included photos and video are the main take-home record. If you are comparing this with a single bungy or single swing, remember to put a value on that package. The price is not just paying for two rides. It also includes the visual record of both.

Is $248 a fair price for the combo?

At $248 per person, this is not a casual add-on to a Taupō day. It is a major activity purchase. The value improves if you genuinely want to do both the bungy and the swing, since the package includes one person on each, photos and video from both, free parking, and transport within Taupō.

The combo also avoids choosing between two different types of adrenaline. The bungy gives you the iconic leap and optional water contact. The swing gives you a feet-first freefall and long arc. If you already know you only want one activity, the package may feel expensive, since the bungy and swing cannot be split between two people.

Tandem flexibility adds value for couples and friends. You can share the experience without paying a special tandem price, though each person still needs their own package booking. For a pair planning to do both activities, the price buys four personal experiences in total, two per person, plus the media.

Free transport within Taupō is useful if you do not have a car. If you are driving, free onsite parking keeps the arrival simple. The small group limit of four may also matter to you if you prefer a less crowded setup around a high-pressure activity.

Who will enjoy this most?

This package suits first-timers who want a structured way to try two famous New Zealand adrenaline activities. You can choose a solo bungy, a tandem swing, a gentle water touch, or a dry finish, so the experience has some flexibility even though the core activities are intense.

It also suits couples and friends. The tandem option lets you share the biggest moment, while the solo option gives each person a separate challenge. Since you can choose the format for each activity on the day, you do not need to make every decision in advance.

Families should pay close attention to the age rule. Children must be at least 10, and anyone aged 10 to 14 needs an accompanying parent. The weight limits are equally important: 35 kilograms minimum and 150 kilograms maximum per person.

This may not suit someone who wants a relaxed sightseeing outing or a fully predictable schedule. The exact starting times depend on availability, and the activities involve height, speed, suspension, and a countdown or surprise release. You should book it because you want those elements, not because you feel pressured to prove something.

Practical choices before you book

Think about your water preference first. If you want the famous water touch but not a full soak, choose the fingertip option. If you want the biggest visual moment, full submersion gives you the clearest connection to the river. If you have other plans afterward, staying dry may be the sensible call.

Think about tandem weight rules before arriving. Each person must fall within the individual limits, and tandem pairs must stay below 180 kilograms combined. For the tandem bungy, the weight gap cannot exceed 30 kilograms.

If you have a health concern, speak up early. The staff adapted one participant’s bungy setup for a weak knee and provided steady encouragement before the leap. That is a useful sign that communication matters, but your own suitability needs to be discussed with the team.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and you can reserve now while paying later. That helps if your New Zealand schedule is still shifting. The experience is listed as a one-day activity, with start times based on availability, so check the specific time when choosing your date.

Should you book the Taupō Bungy and Swing Combo?

Book it if you want two serious thrills in one river setting, value the included photos and video, and like having solo or tandem choices. The bungy offers New Zealand’s highest water touch platform, while the swing provides a different, faster-feeling drop and a long 180-degree arc.

Skip it if you only want one activity, dislike heights or surprise releases, or cannot meet the age and weight requirements. For the right person, the $248 price makes sense because it covers both rides, media, parking, and Taupō transport. Just arrive ready for a real physical challenge, not a gentle scenic stop.

FAQ

Where does the Taupō Bungy and Swing Combo take place?

It takes place at the Taupō Bungy and Swing Centre in New Zealand’s North Island, above the Waikato River.

How high is the bungy platform?

The bungy platform is 47 meters above the river. It is New Zealand’s highest water touch bungy platform.

How high is the Taupō Swing?

The swing reaches 44 meters above the Waikato River before the freefall and swinging motion begin.

How fast does the Taupō Swing go?

The swing reaches speeds of up to 70 km/h during the feet-first freefall.

Can I do the bungy or swing with a friend?

Yes. You can choose to take either activity solo or tandem with a friend. The choice can be made on the day, and the price is the same per person.

Can I touch the river during the bungy?

Yes. You can choose to touch the river with your fingertips, submerge your whole body, or stay dry.

What is included in the $248 price?

The price includes one person’s Taupō Bungy and Taupō Swing experiences, photos and video of both activities, transport within Taupō, and free onsite parking.

What are the age and weight requirements?

The minimum age is 10. Participants aged 10 to 14 need an accompanying parent. The minimum weight is 35 kilograms and the maximum is 150 kilograms per person.

What are the tandem weight limits?

Tandem participants must have a combined maximum weight of 180 kilograms. For a tandem bungy, the difference between participants cannot exceed 30 kilograms.