Riding a rush on world’s longest flying fox
The top of the south is full of plenty of surprises for the aspiring backyard tourist, including the world’s longest flying fox.
Just a 15-minute drive from Nelson, the Cable Bay Adventure Park Skywire combines incredible views of the surrounding countryside along with a good dose of adrenaline.
The Skywire is one of 71 activities on discount as part of the ‘Your Backyard Passport’, which combines offers from tourist operators and businesses all over Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough.
Set 300 metres above ground level, the skywire spans 1.6km between two hills and travels over a canopy of pristine native forest.
On the ride up in a park van, I wasn’t exactly sure what I was what I was getting myself into.
From the top, I noticed the rather steep drop away to the trees below, and strained a wee bit to see the other end of the cable some kilometre-and-a-half away.
Adventure Park managing director Richard Ussher describes it as ‘‘a scenic ride with a bit of adrenaline, rather than an adrenaline ride with a whole lot of scenery’’.
However, as I was getting securely fastened into the Skywire’s four-seat carriage, I was thinking somewhat more about the adrenaline and less about the tranquil views of Delaware Bay and Cable Bay.
Before I could do too much more thinking though, we were off.
Working on gravity alone, the ride picks up speed fast, dropping about 150 vertical metres and getting up to a top speed of about 100kmh.
Any nerves are soon forgotten, flying above the forest canopy and trying to take in everything as the world zips by.
After about 800 metres the pace begins to slow, with the more sedate second half of the ride giving you a chance to look out on the impressive scenery all around.
Tasman Bay to the right, the Whangamoas to the left, and the forest directly below – but perhaps don’t look down if you’re a bit queasy with heights.
Coming to a gentle halt at the other side of the valley, we remain in suspense over the forest for a few seconds, before flying back towards our starting point – this time in reverse.
I think it’s the sign of a good ride that when you get to the end, the first question everyone asks is ‘‘can we go again?’’.