Want to live your life on the edge in Auckland, New Zealand? If you’re an Adrenaline Junkie like me, you’d spend your first full day in Auckland climbing up and jumping off Auckland Bridge then walking and jumping off the edge of the highest building, Sky Tower, in the heart of Auckland! And I actually did.

This city is home to the world’s first Harbor Bridge Bungy Jump operated. The famous bungy jumping inventor, AJ Hackett, is the operator of this jump. They were awesome to offer me a package that included Auckland Bridge Climb and Bungy, SkyWalk, SkyJump, and admission to the Tower.

As soon as I landed in Auckland from a long flight from Germany, I picked up my car rental under the sponsorship of Ezi Car Rental and it was a brand new Hyundai Crossover of their fleet. It was an awesome feeling knowing that I would be driving a brand new car in New Zealand.

Anyways, I drove to Haka Lodge the first thing for a good day of rest and a good night sleep. I worked on the blog for a short while when I arrived before I hit the sack for an early start in the morning.

And so it begins…

At the light of the dawn, I jumped out of the bed to get ready for the day. I just couldn’t wait to get my adrenaline pumped once again. It had been a while since I had done anything that flipped my insides and got my heart racing.

I had a long day ahead of me:

• 9:00AM: Auckland Bridge Climb and Bungy
• 11:30AM: Snack Break
• 12:00PM: SkyWalk and SkyJump
• 2:00PM: Late Lunch
• After Lunch: Observation Level at SkyTower

Once I was filled up with a big breakfast, I headed out to Auckland Bridge for my very first activity in Auckland.

Auckland Bridge Climb and Bungy

Did you know that there aren’t any pedestrian walkways and bike lanes on this bridge? Yeah, the only way you can actually walk on the bridge is to climb up the bridge and/or bungy jump off the bridge. Pretty unusual for such a bid bridge. Auckland was extremely frugal with their budget so this bridge would be the bare minimum when it comes to utility and structure.

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The bridge climb took me about an hour to complete the walkway. I felt safe every step of the entire tour along their custom engineered walkways which I was harnessed. You’ll be able to enjoy the view of Waitemata Harbour along the way with beautiful turquoise water 34 meters below you.

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I was strapped up for my bungy jump as soon as I arrived at the Bungy pod. I wasn’t nervous at all. I was pumped, actually. I just couldn’t wait to jump off because I loved jumping off cliffs while growing up. I wouldn’t have any problem jumping off cliffs or very high surface into water. I would show it off when I was a kid.

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All of the guys that were working were super cool, calm and confident. I pretty much jumped without any hesitation when I approached the edge of the pod. The free fall was an exhilarating feeling and it was an excellent boost to my energy for the rest of the day! I loved it.

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After my jump, I enjoyed watching other people’s pure fear in their faces as they stood at the edge for their jump. It was hilarious! This surely got me excited for the Kawarau Bridge Bungy, World’s first commercially operated Bungy Jumping Site. The height of the bungy at Kawarau Bridge is more than twice the height of the Auckland Bridge Bungy.

You can purchase a DVD with photos and video of your climb and bungy for 80 NZD (~$53 US Dollars). If you just want one of them, you can purchase either for 45 NZD (~$30 US Dollars).

SkyWalk and SkyJump

The SkyTower stands at 328 meters and offers great views of Auckland and the area. It’s the tallest building in the southern hemisphere as well.

The first thing you’ll be blown away is their glass-bottomed elevator that will take you to 60th floor for 360-degree views out over the city of Auckland.

When I arrived at the SkyCity where they conduct the SkyWalk and SkyJump, I went through a ton of safety checks before getting out on the edge. The straps and harness made the entire walk incredibly safe!

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The SkyWalk took about 45 minutes to complete with four other people. The walk on an 1.5-meter-wide outdoor platform 192 meters (630 feet) above the ground came with few “challenges” that the guide had set up for us. Hanging over the edge of the platform backwards and forwards; walking without looking down; walking backwards. My heart couldn’t stop racing as I went through all of this. It just wouldn’t, like the Sky Experience Adventure I had on the top of the highest hotel tower in the Philippines.

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After all that, it was time for the SkyJump! Unlike the bungy, the SkyJump is actually a controlled 85km/hr freefall – Base Jumping by wire just like those stunt performances you see in movies.

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They suited me up on a different jumper and harnessed me up before I took my position at the end of the jump platform. I jumped off the platform with a GoPro camera strapped to my wrist capturing every moment of my jump to the ground.

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I was scared for a bit during the first part of the free fall because I actually felt like I was falling straight into the ground, but it was actually for only few meters until I hanged in the air. Then the harness went into a fast, smooth descent to the ground.

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You can purchase an USB with photos and video of your walk and jump for 65 NZD (~$43 US Dollars). If you just wish to purchase the two printed photos, this will cost 30 NZD (~$20 US Dollars).

SkyTower

I watched the ground grow further away beneath my feet once again through the elevator’s glass-bottomed floor as I went up the tower for a short stroll on the observation deck with a stunning 360-degree view of Auckland!

Up here, you can eat at one of their restaurants as they have a few. I didn’t because the food was kind of pricey to me, but the view up at the observation deck was still so beautiful to contemplate over even though the sky was cloudy and gloomy at the time I was there.

FYI: All SkyJumpers and SkyWalkers are given a complimentary pass to the observation level of the Sky Tower (valid only on the day of the SkyJump/SkyWalk).

Accommodations at Haka Lodge

My three-night stay at Haka Lodge wouldn’t be the same without this guys from reception. Most friendly, helpful, happy receptionist ever met. The hostel was great! Very modern, clean, new furnishings and layout – maintained and made welcoming by excellent staff!

It’s in a great location with bars, clubs, kebab houses, local bank branches and many other attractions close by. It even has a great lounge and kitchen. Be sure to ask the staff for awesome advice, tips and insights into the local options. They will help you book anything you need, help you figure out how to do and see everything you want to, and will never fail to show you their top-notched hospitality. They made me feel connected in a way that made it feel very much like home.

I was given a private room with bathroom and shower. They were absolutely clean with fresh hand-towels provided daily! I personally think this hostel is the best in Auckland and I will stay there in a heartbeat.

They are also part of Haka Tours who run small group adventure tours throughout New Zealand. Haka Tours are  the only company that lets you pre-book activities that include bungy jumping, skydiving, rafting, swimming with dolphins, surfing, hot air balloon rides and many more. Pretty much, you name it, they got it. Be sure to reach out to them if you want to have fun throughout the country!

Final Thoughts

After everything was over, they supplied me with their video footages and images, which was awesome because the only downside to the Auckland activities is that camera aren’t allowed on the SkyWalk, SkyJump and Bridge Climb. All purely because of the traffic and people below—that’s what they say. I don’t blame them though because I can imagine how many people have lost their camera while experiencing all of the activities. Nonetheless, I got to say that they took decent photographs and videos, so be sure to purchase their photo and video packages for your memories—I’m sure you’d want to have something to post on your social media timeline huh?

They surely kicked off my first full day with a blast! Couldn’t have asked for a better first day in Auckland! If you’re gonna be in Auckland, be sure to hit them up for some good adventure in Auckland. It doesn’t have to be on your first day, but do it at least one point of your visit in Auckland.

Essential Information

AJ Hackett Bungy Auckland

• Address: 105 Curran St, Westhaven, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
• Email: info@bungy.co.nz
• Website: http://www.bungy.co.nz/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AJHackettBungyNZ/

SkyJump and SkyWalk

• Address: SkyTower, Victoria St W & Federal St, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
• Email: info@skyjump.co.nz
• Website: http://skywalk.co.nz/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SkyJump.NZ/

Haka Lodge Auckland

• Address: 373 Karangahape Rd, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
• Email: auckland@hakalodge.com
• Website: http://www.hakalodge.com/lodges/haka-lodge-auckland/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hakalodge

Ezi Car Rental

• Address: 105 Curran St, Westhaven, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
• Email: enquiries@ezicarrental.co.nz
• Website: http://www.ezicarrental.co.nz/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ezicarrent/

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