Canyon Swing at Shotover — Queenstown's underrated thrill

The adventure that most Queenstown visitors overlook

The Shotover Canyon Swing sits beside the Shotover Jet departure point at the Arthurs Point base, operates independently from AJ Hackett, and is frequently underbooked relative to the AJ Hackett bungy operations. This is partly about marketing spend and partly about the fact that a “swing” sounds less intense than a “bungy jump.” The honest comparison: the Shotover Canyon Swing involves more total time in the air than a bungy, a choice of five launch positions, and a 109-metre freefall before the pendulum arc begins. It is not a gentle swing.

The key distinction from a standard bungy: the Canyon Swing starts with a cliff-edge release (109m of freefall), then transitions into a 200m pendulum arc at approximately 150 km/h. The initial drop is unattached-feeling — unlike a bungy where the cord immediately begins to slow you, the swing cable plays out before engaging, giving you approximately 60 metres of close-to-freefall sensation before the arc begins.

Verdict: Worth it. At NZD 249 it’s priced competitively with the Kawarau bungy (NZD 255), and the multiple launch positions and longer total airtime make it a more customisable experience.

Pricing and what’s included

Option	NZD	USD	EUR
Single swing	249	149	137
Double swing (two drops)	349	209	193
Combo packages (ask operator)	varies	—	—

Photos and video are available as add-ons. The Canyon Swing base also sells package deals that include the Shotover Jet — geographically these are close enough that combining them in a single morning is practical.

Queenstown: Shotover Canyon Giant Rope Swing (Shotover River)

Launch positions — this is what distinguishes the Canyon Swing

The Canyon Swing offers multiple launch positions from the cliff-edge platform. This variety is the standout feature not available in standard bungy jumping:

Standard forward: You stand on the edge, look into the canyon, and step forward (or are released by the guide). The most psychologically direct option.

Backward off the edge: Stand with your back to the canyon, arms out, and fall backward. Your visual reference is removed until the swing arc begins — a different psychological challenge.

The Screamer: A chair launch. You sit in a chair attached to the swing cable, rolled to the edge, and tipped forward. The chair releases at the edge, you drop in seated position. Popular with first-timers who find the stand-on-edge launch too confronting.

Face down: You lie horizontally on the edge, face downward, and are released. The canyon floor is visible from the start. The most visually intense option.

The Limbo: You stand backward and bend forward until you’re nearly horizontal before release. Requires physical flexibility.

Second swings (double swing tickets) allow a different position on the second drop — trying both backward and forward is the most common combination.

The canyon setting

The Shotover Canyon Swing launches from above the Shotover Canyon — the same geological feature the Shotover Jet runs through below. From the launch platform, you can see the river, the schist canyon walls, and downstream toward the gorge exit. The canyon context adds visual drama that an urban or open-sky swing can’t match.

The platform is reached by a short walk from the car park. Unlike the Nevis Swing, which requires 45-minute 4WD transport, the Canyon Swing is 15 minutes from Queenstown town centre. This accessibility is a significant practical advantage.

Shotover Canyon Swing vs Nevis Swing — the honest comparison

Feature	Shotover Canyon Swing	Nevis Swing
Freefall element	109m before arc	Minimal freefall before arc
Arc length	200m	300m
Peak speed	~150 km/h	~160 km/h
Launch positions	5 options	3 options
Access time from Queenstown	15 minutes	60+ minutes (4WD)
Price	NZD 249	NZD 225
Setting	Shotover Canyon	Nevis Canyon (more remote)

Which to choose: The Nevis Swing has a longer arc and more remote canyon setting. The Shotover Canyon Swing has more launch position variety, the 109m freefall element, and dramatically easier access. If you’re already at the Nevis complex for the bungy (and adding the swing incrementally), do the Nevis Swing. If you’re choosing between the two as standalone activities, the Shotover Canyon Swing offers more launch variety and convenience.

Combining with other Shotover activities

The Canyon Swing base is co-located with the Shotover Jet — combining both in a morning is efficient:

• Morning 8:30am: Shotover Jet (25 minutes in the canyon, intense)
• 10:00am: Canyon Swing (allow 1.5 hours including wait, briefing, two positions)
• 11:30am: Back in Queenstown

This combination works particularly well in summer when the Shotover Jet departs from 8:30am. In peak season, pre-book both.

The Queenstown white-water rafting on the Shotover River also departs from the Arthurs Point area and can be combined as a half-day. Rafting typically takes 2–3 hours.

Queenstown: Shotover River Whitewater Rafting Adventure

Gear-up, safety, and the jump sequence

Harness: Full-body harness with multiple attachment points. The swing cable connects at a central chest point.

Pre-jump briefing: 10–15 minutes covering the swing mechanics, what to expect during the fall and arc, and the landing (you’re lowered by a recovery system back to the platform level after the arc completes).

The moment of launch: The guide provides a countdown if you want it. You are not physically pushed — the release is active (you step, fall, or a chair tips). Guides will not force anyone off the edge, but the spot-booking is non-refundable once you’ve been briefed and geared up.

Recovery: After the arc completes and you’ve swung down to the lowest point, the cable is locked and a retrieval rope brings you back up to the platform level. The recovery takes approximately 5 minutes.

Age, weight, and health requirements

• Minimum age: 10 years (parental consent required under 18)
• Maximum weight: 230 kg
• Minimum weight: 35 kg
• Medical exclusions: Heart conditions, recent surgery (back, neck, or joints), pregnancy, significant orthopaedic conditions

Frequently asked questions

Is the Canyon Swing more intense than a bungy jump?

Different in kind. The 109m freefall before the arc gives a freefall sensation longer than the Kawarau Bridge bungy (43m) but without the bungy rebound (which extends the airtime at lower speed). The arc phase at 150 km/h is unlike anything in a standard bungy. Most participants describe the Canyon Swing as psychologically more complex than a straightforward bungy because of the multiple phases.

Can I do multiple swings?

Yes — the double swing ticket (NZD 349) includes two drops, which you can do in different launch positions. The second swing feels different from the first because the anticipation changes — you know what’s coming, which removes some of the terror and lets you notice more of the experience.

What if I freeze on the edge?

This happens regularly. Guides are patient and experienced — they’ll talk you through it and give you time. The booking is non-refundable, but guides will not force a jump if you are genuinely unable to commit. The psychological barrier of stepping off the edge is real; the guides treat it as a normal part of the job.

Is the Canyon Swing open in winter?

Yes, year-round. Winter (June–August) sees lower visitor volumes, shorter queues, and the canyon can be spectacular in cold weather. The Canyon Swing base has warming facilities. Expect to be cold in the canyon in winter — the schist walls block sun for much of the day.

Related activities in Queenstown

• Bungy in Queenstown — Kawarau, Nevis, and the Ledge
• Nevis Swing — the bigger Queenstown swing
• Shotover Jet — the canyon jet boat
• Queenstown destination guide
• Glenorchy — LOTR landscapes 45 minutes from Queenstown