When you’re on the hunt for an adrenaline rush, then New Zealand — with its picturesque mountains and idyllic lakes — should be at the top of your bucket list. It’s the land of adventure tourism, and it is rife with all the extreme attractions your thrill-seeking self could ever want, all set amidst gorgeous scenery. And the industry is constantly taking things to the next level.
In Queenstown, what’s been touted as the world’s biggest (and most extreme) human catapult has just launched, and it’s quite the hair-raising experience. Let’s just say you’ll need to have a certain kind of courage to strap in for the ride at the far-flung location of Nevis Valley, where the Nevis Catapult sits alongside the equally terrifying Nevis Bungy and the Nevis Swing.
Brought to you by the daredevils behind AJ Hackett Bungy New Zealand — the very same ones who came up with the world’s first commercial bungy in the ’80s — this new contraption shoots you 150m across the canyon, where you’ll reach a speed of almost 100km/h… in just 1.5 seconds. That should get your blood pumping.
The entire ride only lasts about three to four minutes — you’ll bounce around for a bit following the drop — but if the very thought of flying through a remote valley at maximum force while tethered to a harness already turns your insides to mush, then you may want to rethink heading out there, where the bus ride to and from the spot takes about four hours.
And take note: You’ve got to be at least 13 years old and weigh at least 60 pounds (27kg) to try the slingshot, which will set you back NZ$255 (US$172).
For a (knee-quivering) glimpse of what to expect, stifle your petrified screams and watch the video below.
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