The Shotover’s canyon swing

This is the highest cliff jump in the world. Yes, it’s a 109-metre cliff that you jump off, of your own volition.

You’re attached by ropes and a harness so that when you reach the maximum length – 100m below the jump platform and well short of the surface of the Shotover River – you glide into a pleasing swing.

After some soaring back-andforths, you’re winched to the top again, gibbering with excitement.

Why go

Because your standard excuse for not doing a bungee jump (that you don’t fancy the sudden change of direction) doesn’t apply.

It’s a smooth transition from the 60m free-fall drop into the 200m swing, so there’s no physical shock. Apart from the initial leap, that is, for which you’re offered a wide range of options, each of them carefully ranked on Shotover Canyon Swing’s underpants scale.

It claims more than 70 jumpstyles: forwards, backwards, sitting on a chair, or a trike, slipping down a slide, head- or feet-first, flipping . . . Perhaps the cruellest is the Cutaway, where your last connection to security is snatched away before your eyes, though the Sparta, where your jumpmasters shove you backwards off the platform with a foot to your stomach, is also a strong contender.

Insider’s tip

The jumpmasters are professionals, practised in funny reassurance and friendly sadism. They’ll have you laughing one second, screaming the next. Be ready. And dress appropriately for all that upsidedown action.

On the way/nearby

The company also has the Fox, a zipline across the Shotover Canyon, that starts at 182m high with a fivemetre drop and, there and back, totals 445m.

If you have more adrenaline to expend, there’s the Shotover Jet just down the river for some superfast skimming and stomachchurning 360s. Or, you could just chill out afterwards in the Ferg

Burger queue, almost next to the Canyon Swing shop.

How much?

A solo canyon swing is $249 a person ($49 for an extra go), but you can get a better deal on a combo fare with the flying fox ride.

If you fancy plunging with a buddy, you can save $20 each (but you mustn’t weigh over 180kg, combined). And the 8.30am swing is cheaper.

Transport is included from the shop in Queenstown, 15 minutes ahead of your slot: 21⁄2 hours altogether. And yes, you will get a refund if you chicken out on the platform.

Best time to go

The operation runs year-round, multiple times a day, depending on the season. Book well ahead. canyonswing.co.nz.