Discover A.J. Hackett’s wheelchair accessible attractions, things to do, tours and activities for disabled travelers. Read our informative review to learn if A.J. Hackett’s Bungy Jump, the world’s original bungy jump in Queenstown NZ is wheelchair accessible and wheelchair friendly or if Wheelchair Jimmy recommends this attraction be avoided by travelers in wheelchairs.
Alan John “A. J.” Hackett (born May 1958) is a New Zealand entrepreneur who popularised the extreme sport of bungy jumping. He made the famous bungy jump from the Eiffel Tower in 1987 and founded the first commercial bungy site in 1988.
Inspired by the Vanuatu ritual called land diving and the Oxford University Dangerous Sports Club experimental jumps in the 1970s, Hackett and fellow adventurer Chris Sigglekow, sought ways to make bungy jump safe. Using a mathematical formula developed by New Zealand’s Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, he created a super-stretchy elastic bungy cord in the mid-1980s.
The AJ Hackett Bungy Jump was created at the site on the Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge in Queenstown 1988 to become the world’s first commercial public bungy. He later expanded his company by founding bungy sites in Australia, France (Souleuvre Viaduct in Normandy), Germany, The United States, Mexico, Indonesia, and Macau. He is credited with launching New Zealand’s adventure tourism industry and helping to develop a safe code of operation for bungy jumping in use internationally.
- City Attraction Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Fully Accessible Entry: Yes
- Accessible Restrooms Onsite: Yes
- Restrictive Steps: Some but not too restrictive
Jim’s Accessibility Comments:
Another beautiful day and we have decided to go to the world famous AJ Hackett’s Bungy jump off the historic Kawarau bridge. It’s located about 20 minutes outside of Queenstown on Gibbston Hwy and you’ll need to drive as there are no accessible buses. This is the world’s 1st commercial bungy jump dating back to 1888, it’s in our book of 1000 things to do before you die, and you must visit, even if you don’t jump. What a place!
This is a big operation, very sophisticated, a bit pricing at $180, and everything is very wheelchair accessible. There’s accessible parking, elevators, a Cafe and a wheelchair accessible restroom at the terminal. At the staging platform there is a huge outdoor deck for spectators to watch the excitement although there are a few steps to get to the railing at the river. A couple friendly staff guys picked up my chair and lifted me down the stairs so I could have a better view of one of our traveling companions jump.
They told me they have accommodated many wheelchair bound bungy jumpers and the personnel are a happy bunch and very experienced. They will roll you up a reasonably steep hill from the terminal to the bridge (no steps), strap you in and away you go. I was very tempted – but not crazy enough. And as we found out, bungy jumping naked is a popular option. Go figure but the crowd roared.
If you’re a bit crazy, and want an exhilarating experience, this is accessible. And although there are many bungy jumping activities in New Zealand, this is spectacular, historic, and the attraction definitely belongs in the book of 1000 things to do before you die. There are several bungy jumps in New Zealand, but this is the original and considered the best.
You simply must visit, even if you don’t jump.
New Zealand Travel
