Bungee is synonymous with New Zealand and many travellers save their cash to make their jump in the sport’s own spiritual home. New Zealanders have embraced the concept, too, and the inventor of modern bungee, AJ Hackett, is a legend in the land. Along with friend Henry van Asch, he pioneered the unique system that would allow people to jump safely from great heights with nothing more than a stretchy cord attached to their ankles. They were inspired by a video of the Oxford University Dangerous Sports Club, whose members tried to emulate the traditional ‘land-diving’ of Pentecost islanders in Vanuatu.

AJ and Henry were convinced that people would pay for the thrilling experience they’d devised. They got worldwide attention in 1987, when AJ jumped from the Eiffel Tower. The following year, they established the world’s first commercial bungee operation at Kawarau Bridge in Queenstown. They were only given a 30 day operating licence but, nearly 20 years later, the original bungee site remains one of the most popular in the world. A jump will cost between $100 and $150 or more if there are extras, such as transport to the site.