Nevis Swing — Queenstown's biggest canyon swing

300 metres of arc above the Nevis Canyon

The Nevis Swing operates from the same canyon complex as the Nevis Bungy — 134m above the Nevis River, accessed by 4WD from Queenstown and then cable car to the canyon platform. But the swing is a categorically different experience from the bungy drop.

Where the bungy drops you vertically and rebounds, the swing launches you forward in an enormous arc — 300 metres across the canyon at peak speed of approximately 160 km/h. The sensation is of flying horizontally rather than falling vertically. Your brain processes this differently: the horizon stays visible, the canyon walls rush past your peripheral vision, and the pendulum effect at the arc’s base produces a sensation of weightlessness distinct from freefall.

Both experiences share the same remote canyon setting and the same premium price tier. If you’ve done a bungy before and want something genuinely different, the Nevis Swing is the correct next step.

Pricing

Option	NZD	USD	EUR
Nevis Swing standalone	225	135	124
Nevis Bungy + Swing combo	520	312	287
Nevis Thrillogy (bungy + swing + catapult)	615	369	340

The standalone swing is significantly cheaper than the standalone bungy (NZD 365). If budget is a constraint and you want the Nevis experience, the swing is the better value entry point. If budget isn’t the primary concern and you want the most intense option, do both.

Queenstown: Nevis Canyon Swing - 70m Free-Fall

Nevis Swing vs Shotover Canyon Swing — the key difference

Queenstown has two major canyon swing operations, and they’re quite different:

Feature	Nevis Swing	Shotover Canyon Swing
Arc length	300m	200m
Peak speed	~160 km/h	~150 km/h
Location	Nevis Canyon (remote)	Shotover Canyon (near town)
Access	4WD + cable car	15 min from Queenstown
Setting	Isolated, dramatic	Dramatic but more accessible
Price	NZD 225	NZD 249
Jump positions	Multiple options	Multiple options

The Nevis Swing wins on arc length and remoteness. The Shotover Canyon Swing wins on accessibility and the option to combine with other Shotover activities in a half-day. If you’re spending a full day at the Nevis complex anyway (for the bungy or catapult), add the swing — the incremental cost is justified by the shared transport. If you’re not doing the Nevis bungy, the Shotover Canyon Swing is easier to incorporate into a Queenstown day.

What the swing experience involves

Preparation: At the Nevis platform, you’re fitted into a full-body harness and attached to the swing cable. Unlike bungy jumping where you stand on a platform and step off, the swing involves being suspended in a sitting or lying position and released.

Launch positions: AJ Hackett offers multiple launch configurations — seated facing forward, lying back, or facing down (the most intense). First-timers typically choose seated forward. The facing-down launch produces the most dramatic view of the canyon floor on release.

The arc: At release, the swing drops briefly before the cable pulls you into the horizontal arc. At peak speed (approximately 160 km/h), the ride feels like being launched from a catapult. The arc then completes, you slow, and the pendulum continues for several additional swings at decreasing speed before you’re lowered to the recovery platform.

Duration: The main swing arc is approximately 30 seconds. Total experience at the Nevis complex (from platform to return cable car) is about 3–4 hours including transport from Queenstown.

Queenstown: Nevis Bungy & Swing Combo

The Nevis Catapult — the third Nevis element

The Nevis Catapult launches you forward (rather than dropping you down as in bungy, or releasing you as in swing). It’s essentially a human slingshot that fires you across the canyon. The Catapult is the least publicised of the three Nevis activities but unique in New Zealand — there’s no direct comparison elsewhere.

Queenstown: Nevis Swing & Catapult Combo

The Swing + Catapult combo (NZD 430 / USD 258 / EUR 237) is a strong option if you’ve already done the bungy elsewhere and want two distinct Nevis experiences.

Making the most of the Nevis complex

The remoteness of the Nevis Canyon is both its strength and a logistical consideration. The 4WD transfer from Queenstown takes approximately 45 minutes (the road through the Nevis Valley is unsealed and requires 4WD). The round trip plus activities means a minimum half-day commitment, and a full day is more comfortable.

Recommendations:

• Do the bungy and swing together if budget allows — the incremental swing cost (NZD 155 when added to the bungy) is reasonable for a second distinct canyon experience
• Book early morning in summer (first transfer leaves approximately 7:30am) to avoid heat in the canyon in afternoon
• Lunch: The Nevis complex doesn’t have on-site catering. Pack food if doing multiple activities. The Thrillogy package sometimes includes a lunch component — check at booking.

Age, weight, and fitness requirements

• Minimum age: 10 years (parental consent required under 18)
• Minimum weight: 35 kg
• Maximum weight: 230 kg
• Medical exclusions: Same as bungy — heart conditions, recent surgery, back or neck injuries, pregnancy
• Fitness: No specific fitness requirement, but the walk to the cable car and the canyon platform involves some steps

Frequently asked questions

Is the Nevis Swing scarier than the Nevis Bungy?

Different rather than scarier. Bungy is defined by the vertical drop and rebound — your brain processes the rapid approach of the ground. The swing is a horizontal trajectory at high speed — the sensation is more like being launched. Most people describe the swing as slightly less psychologically confronting than the 134m bungy drop, but physically more intense during the actual arc. If you have to choose one: the bungy is the more historically significant experience; the swing is the more physically unusual one.

Can you do both the swing and bungy in the same visit?

Yes — this is the standard combo. The Nevis complex is set up to run both activities from the same platform. The Bungy + Swing combo (NZD 520) saves money compared to booking separately and is the most popular option for visitors determined to maximise the Nevis experience.

How does the Nevis Swing compare to the Kawarau Canyon Swing?

The Kawarau (operated separately from AJ Hackett, by Awesome Adventures) is located at the Kawarau Bridge — much easier to access but a different setting. The Nevis Swing is larger, more remote, and more expensive. The Kawarau swing is a good option for those who want a canyon swing without the Nevis transport commitment.

Is the 4WD access road to the Nevis accessible in all weather?

The Nevis Valley road is unsealed and can become impassable in severe rain or snow. AJ Hackett monitors road conditions and will delay or cancel transfers if conditions are unsafe. This is more common in winter (June–August). Check weather forecasts and have a flexible schedule if visiting in the shoulder or winter season.

Related adventures in Queenstown

• Bungy in Queenstown — all three AJ Hackett sites
• Canyon Swing at Shotover — the accessible alternative
• Shotover Jet — the best canyon jet boat
• Queenstown destination guide
• Wanaka — for when Queenstown feels too full