Taupō: Bungy Jump and Swing Combo

Hold your nerve above the Waikato River. Taupō’s Bungy Jump and Swing Combo pairs New Zealand’s highest water touch bungy with a cliff-side swing, giving you two very different ways to test your courage in one striking spot. I like the choice of solo or tandem thrills, and I like that photos and videos of both activities are included. The main drawback is simple: at $248 per person, this is a major activity expense, especially if you are unsure you want to do both.

The setting does much of the work. You can skim the clear river with your fingertips, get fully wet, or remain dry on the 47-meter bungy. The swing adds a feet-first free fall at speeds up to 70 km/h. If your knees, weight, or nerves need special consideration, discuss that with the team before you are suited up.

Key points at a glance

• 47-meter water touch bungy: Choose to touch the Waikato River lightly, submerge, or stay above the water.
• 44-meter Taupō Swing: Free fall feet-first, reach up to 70 km/h, then arc through a wide 180-degree swing.
• Solo or tandem format: Do either activity alone or share it with a friend, at the same per-person price.
• Media included: Photos and video of both activities are part of the package, not an extra purchase.
• Small group setting: The experience is limited to four participants, which should make the check-in and safety process more focused.
• Practical Taupō access: Free onsite parking is available, with complimentary pickup and drop-off within Taupō.

Two big thrills above the Waikato River

This combo works because the activities feel different. The bungy is about stepping off a platform and choosing how close you want to get to the water. The swing begins with a suspended wait, followed by a sudden feet-first drop and a long arc.

The bungy platform sits 47 meters above the Waikato River. It is New Zealand’s highest water touch bungy and uses the world’s first cantilever platform. That means the jump takes place beyond the edge of the supporting structure, giving you an open view toward the river rather than a jump tucked against a building or cliff face.

You control the water contact to a degree. You can aim for a fingertip touch, allow your body to enter the river, or keep the jump high and dry. That choice matters because it lets you match the stunt to your comfort level. It also gives repeat visitors a reason to choose a different style another time.

The Taupō Swing begins 44 meters above the river. You are harnessed and attached, then brought out over the drop and left hanging until the countdown or a surprise release. The first sensation is not the same as a bungy. You are feet-first, and after the initial fall you arc through as much as 180 degrees.

The swing can reach 70 km/h. That is fast enough to feel dramatic, but the motion changes from a straight drop into a broad pendulum arc. On the return to the platform, a winch brings you back up while you take in the river views.

What check-in and the platform experience involve

You drive to the Taupō Bungy and Swing Centre for check-in. Free parking is available onsite, and complimentary pickup and drop-off within Taupō can make the visit easier if you are staying nearby and do not have a car.

The group limit is four participants. I see this as a real advantage for an activity where safety instructions, harness fitting, and personal reassurance matter. You are not being processed in a large crowd, and the English-speaking instructor can focus on the small group.

The experience is listed as a one-day activity, but that does not tell you the exact time you will spend at the centre. Starting times depend on availability, so check the schedule before building the rest of your Taupō day around it.

At check-in, you choose how to take part. You can do the bungy and swing solo, or pair up with a friend for either activity. The price remains $248 per person, and the combo cannot be split between two people. That last point is important: one person cannot take the bungy while another uses the swing in place of the first participant.

The 47-meter bungy: choose your contact with the river

The bungy is the more direct test of nerve. You move to the platform, look down toward the Waikato River, and decide how much water contact you want. The choice of fingertip touch, full submersion, or staying dry is one of the best features of the package because it gives you a little control over an otherwise intense moment.

The words water touch can sound as if everyone gets wet. That is not the case. You choose your target, so you can keep your clothing dry if that matters to you. If you want the full splash, you can make that choice instead.

The view is a major part of the appeal. This is not simply a jump from a tall structure with scenery as an afterthought. The platform sits above the river, and the cantilever design places you out over the drop. Even before the jump, the position gives you a memorable look at the water below.

You can also choose tandem bungy with a friend, subject to the weight rules. Tandem participants must have a combined weight of no more than 180 kilograms, and the difference between their weights cannot exceed 30 kilograms. If you are planning to jump together, check those limits before booking rather than waiting until the day.

The Taupō Swing: more motion, less water focus

The swing gives you a different kind of fear. Instead of choosing a water touch, you are taken 44 meters above the river, held in position, and released into a feet-first free fall. The countdown or surprise release adds uncertainty, so ask the staff about the release style if that detail matters to you.

The fall reaches speeds of up to 70 km/h before the swing carries you through a wide arc. You are not simply dropping and stopping. The motion changes as you swing upward and back toward the platform, giving you more time to take in the views once the first rush passes.

This is also the easier activity to share with a friend if you want a joint memory. Tandem swing is available, with a maximum combined weight of 180 kilograms. Unlike the tandem bungy, the supplied information does not list a separate weight-difference limit for the swing, but the combined limit still applies.

I like the swing as a second activity because it resets the sensation. After the sharp decision of the bungy, you get another high point, another release, and a longer flowing motion. If the bungy is the activity you fear most, doing the swing first might help you get used to the height, though you choose the format on the day.

Staff support matters more than the scenery

A high platform and clear river make good photographs, but the staff determine how manageable the experience feels. The strongest praise in the available feedback focuses on a friendly, professional team that paid close attention to safety and helped first-timers through their nerves.

One participant arrived with concerns about a weak knee. After discussing it during onboarding, the team used a waist setup instead of attaching the cord at the ankles. The staff also talked the participant through the fear before the running leap.

That example does not mean every medical concern can be solved with a different setup. It does show why you should speak openly during check-in. If you have a knee issue or another physical concern, raise it before the equipment is fitted. The minimum and maximum weight limits are firm: 35 kilograms minimum and 150 kilograms maximum per person.

The minimum age is 10. Anyone aged 10 to 14 must be accompanied by a parent. Parents should also think about the emotional side of the activity, not only the age rule. A child who meets the minimum may still find the platform and release highly intimidating.

Is $248 good value?

At $248 per person, this is not a casual add-on. It becomes easier to justify when you count what the price includes: both the Taupō Bungy and Taupō Swing, the choice of solo or tandem format, photos and video from both activities, onsite parking, and transport within Taupō.

The media package has real value here. You are unlikely to capture a useful photo of your own jump while falling, and a friend standing on the platform may not be able to record every part of the experience. Having photos and video included means you can focus on the jump rather than handing a phone to someone else.

The combo also makes more sense than paying for one activity and wishing you had tried the second. The bungy and swing offer distinct sensations, so you are not buying the same experience twice. Still, if you only want one controlled burst of adrenaline, the combined price may feel high.

The strongest value goes to visitors who already plan to spend money on a major Taupō activity and want a full memory package. It is less suitable for a tight budget, or for anyone who suspects they may back out after seeing the platform.

Solo or tandem: which choice fits you?

Solo is the cleanest option if you want to set your own pace. You make the jump or swing without coordinating body position with a friend, and you can focus on your own countdown and reaction.

Tandem works well for couples and friends who want the shared story. You can choose tandem bungy, tandem swing, or potentially different formats for each activity, subject to the operating rules and weight limits. The price is per person, not per pair.

Before selecting tandem, confirm both people fit the limits. The combined weight cap is 180 kilograms. For tandem bungy, the weight difference cannot exceed 30 kilograms. These details can affect your plans, so do not treat tandem as automatically available for every pair.

Photos, video, and the memory after the jump

The included photos and video are one of the package’s practical strengths. You receive media from both activities, not just one highlight. That gives you a record of the bungy and the swing, including the contrast between a water-focused jump and a fast, feet-first arc.

Merchandise is not included. It is available to buy separately, so allow for that only if you want a physical souvenir. You do not need to purchase merchandise to receive the included photo and video package.

The photos also help settle an argument that often follows an adrenaline activity: how high did you really go, and did you really touch the water? The media cannot recreate the sensation, but it gives you something concrete to share after the day.

Who should book this combo?

I would recommend it to an adult or older child who wants two serious thrills in one scenic location. It suits couples and friends especially well because both activities offer tandem options, and the small group size should keep the experience personal.

It is also a good fit for first-timers who want strong staff support. The available feedback gives the team high marks for safety, friendliness, and helping nervous participants take the leap. That matters more than a polished slogan when you are standing at the edge.

I would hesitate if you are unsure about the physical requirements, have a knee concern you have not discussed with the operator, or cannot meet the weight limits. I would also think twice if your budget only allows one paid highlight in Taupō. At $248, this deserves to be a planned activity, not an impulse purchase.

Booking details worth checking before you go

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now while paying later. That flexibility helps if your Taupō schedule is still changing, but you should still check the available starting time before booking.

You can drive to the centre and use free onsite parking. If you are within Taupō, complimentary pickup and drop-off are available. The meeting point remains the Taupō Bungy and Swing Centre, so confirm the pickup arrangement rather than assuming transport is automatic.

The experience is conducted in English. The group is limited to four participants, and the operator is AJ Hackett Bungy New Zealand.

Should you book the Taupō Bungy and Swing Combo?

Book it if you want a full adrenaline day, value the included photo and video package, and like the idea of choosing between solo and tandem action. The river setting, 47-meter bungy, and 70 km/h swing give you two clearly different experiences rather than one stunt repeated twice.

Skip it if you are looking for a cheap activity, dislike heights, or are not comfortable committing to both activities for one person. If you meet the age and weight rules and want a well-supported first jump, this is one of Taupō’s strongest choices for turning scenery into a story you will still be telling later.

FAQ

How much does the Taupō Bungy Jump and Swing Combo cost?

The price is $248 per person. It includes one person’s bungy jump and swing, photos and video of both activities, and free onsite parking.

Can I do the bungy or swing tandem?

Yes. You can choose solo or tandem bungy and swing on the day, at the same price per person. Tandem bungy has a combined maximum weight of 180 kilograms, and the participants cannot differ by more than 30 kilograms in weight.

What are the age and weight limits?

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

How high are the bungy and swing?

The bungy platform is 47 meters above the Waikato River. The Taupō Swing takes place 44 meters above the river.

Are photos and videos included?

Yes. Photos and video of both the bungy and swing are included in the price. Merchandise is not included, though it is available to purchase.

Where do I meet for the experience?

You meet at the Taupō Bungy and Swing Centre for check-in. Free parking is available onsite, and complimentary pickup and drop-off are offered within Taupō.