Those who like adrenaline, fun, and are good with heights, should try bungy jumping. AJ Hackett is a pioneer in the bungy industry, who made a name for himself with his (illegal) jump off the Eiffel Tower in 1986.
AJ Hackett Bungy
He was arrested by French police, but shortly released. After this huge, and successful, publicity stunt, he then did his first commercial jump in 1988, when jumped off Auckland’s Stock Exchange Tower in New Zealand. He started his business off in Ohakune, in the country’s North Island, and now has operating bungy jumps in seven countries around the world.
AJ Hackett bungy can be found in Bali, France, Germany, Indonesia, Malaysia, China, New Zealand and Australia. The highest jump is in Kuala Lampur, reaching 345 metres. The shortest is Auckland’s 43 metres. They are all unique, and surrounded by breath-taking scenes. But the Cairns location definitely has something special.
There is a bar, BBQ and viewing platform surrounding the small lagoon, so everyone can get a clear look at the jumper’s face. It makes for good entertainment.
Bungy Jumping in Cairns
This site is in Kuranda, right next to Cairns, and right in the middle of the tropics. It's stunning. And although a 50 metre jump isn’t very big, it can still be daunting the first time. Even if heights aren't an issue, looking down at the small pool under the platform can be intimidating. But looking straight ahead, at the most spectacular view in Cairns, fear seems to vanish.
Being called the best view in Cairns is no easy task, but they certainly live up to the name. The Great Barrier Reef stretches in front of densely vegetated rainforest. The mountains rise up from the greenery and the sweet, humid air makes time run slowly. Yes, the view is breath-taking, but don’t forget, so is the jump.
Bungy Jumping into Water
Once a jumper's turn comes up, the harness comes on and they're strapped in. A towel and the cords are wrapped around the ankles for safety and comfort. It’s a tight fit, but in this case, that’s a good thing.
“It all happened so fast,” says Mary. “I was enjoying the view, watching others jump, and next thing I knew, I was hopping my way to the edge of this platform. That’s when I started freaking out!”
The next thing the jumper hears is "alright, now stick your toes out of the platform." That usually becomes the moment of truth: can they or can’t they?
“I started saying ‘I can’t do this! I can’t do this!’ because, suddenly, I really didn’t feel like I could do it. I was thinking to myself, ‘you must be crazy to be doing this’.” Mary says at that moment, the girl who had strapped her in looked her in the eye and told her she could do it. And...five, four, three, two, one!
“I could do it...I had to. So I just jumped! And for the first second, I was still thinking I was crazy. But once I realised I was fine and it felt good, I had the best feeling of my life.”
People describe it as the most exhilarating and liberating experience, or the scariest thing ever. But everyone agrees that it pays off to do it.
“It took me forever to jump, but once I did, all I regretted was not buying the day pass!” Caroline felt that jump changed her. “I faced one of my biggest fears. And had tons of fun.”
Falling that fast into a pool of water is unlike any other feeling. And it's a surprisingly smooth drop into the water, from whence the giggling jumper is extracted by a young man in an inflatable boat.
It’s safe, fun and unforgettable. And pretty much anyone can do it.
To learn more about AJ Hackett, visit their official website.
To learn more about other activities in Northern Queensland, click here.
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