The Evolution of Adventure
The Timeline of AJ Hackett International
AJ Hackett International has pioneered adventure tourism for over 35 years led by AJ Hackett, however, it all started in January 1980 with a PELORUS BRIDGE TEST JUMP. Chris Sigglekow had heard about the Oxford University students who'd pulled off a similar stunt in Bristol, England. With a borrowed parachute harness and a bit of cord cut to a random length, Chris flung himself off the Pelorus Bridge. His jump didn't quite work out—he went straight into the water feet first and pretty much at full speed before the cord took his weight! In November 1986, AJ Hackett took his first jump at the GREENHITHE BRIDGE, a 19-meter drop over Auckland's Waitemata Harbour. Following this, on 26 June 1987, AJ successfully introduced the world to bungy jumping with a jump off the EIFFEL TOWER. In 1988, things got serious with the opening of the AJ Hackett Bungy site in Ohakune, New Zealand as the world's first commercial bungy site, and then on 12 November 1988, the opening of the world's first year-round commercial public bungy site at the Kawarau Bridge in Queenstown, New Zealand.
Other key milestones have included:
1988
New Zealand Stock Exchange Building
AJ Hackett jumps from the Auckland Stock Exchange Building, the world's first bungy jump from a building.
1989
Bungy Code of Practice
First draft of the "Bungy Code of Practice" presented. This document would become AS/NZS 5848, the standard by which bungy would be, and is still, regulated in New Zealand.
1990
First heli jump 380m
World's first helicopter bungy jump in France, August.
1990
Normandie, France and Cairns, Australia open
Opening of AJ Hackett Bungy sites in Normandie, France, and Cairns, Australia.
1992
Kuranda Bungy, Cairns, Australia
Opening of Kuranda Bungy, Cairns, Australia.
1992
The Sir Jack Newman Award
AJ Hackett receives "The Sir Jack Newman Award" for the individual who contributed the most to tourism in New Zealand for the year.
1994
United States of America
Opening of Las Vegas and Kissimmee Bungy sites in the USA.
1995
Kuta Beach, Bali
Opening of the AJ Hackett Bungy site at Kuta Beach, Bali.
1997
The Ledge, Queenstown, New Zealand
Opening of the "Ledge" Bungy site in Queenstown.
1999
Scable Zipline Normandie
Opening of the "Scable" (a 400-meter-long cable ride) at the Normandie site in France.
July 1999
1,000,000th Bungy
The AJ Hackett Bungy company celebrated its millionth Bungy jump client after more than ten years of existence and a dozen sites across the globe!
1999
Acapulco, Mexico
Opening of the AJ Hackett Bungy site on Condesa Beach, Acapulco, Mexico.
1999
The Nevis, Queenstown
Opening of the Nevis Highwire Bungy site in Queenstown, the world's only purpose-built bungy gondola.
2000
Minjin Swing, Cairns
Opening of the "Minjin" (the world's biggest jungle swing) at the Cairns site in Australia.
2000
Royal Gorge Bridge Jump
AJ Hackett and friends jump from the Royal Gorge Bridge (the world's highest suspension bridge at 291 meters).
2001
Centennial Honours
Centennial Honours Award 1981–1991 – Tourism New Zealand – jointly awarded to AJ Hackett and Henry van Asch for the most significant contribution to New Zealand tourism over the entire decade.
2002
Skywalk & Tower Climb, Macau Tower
Opening of Skywalk and Tower Climb at Macau Tower, Macau.
2003
Auckland Harbor Bridge, New Zealand
Auckland Harbour Bridge Bungy opened in New Zealand.
2003
Skyjump product developed
Global distribution agreements signed with Skyjump.
2005
Guinness World Record for highest tandem bungy jump
AJ Hackett sets a new Guinness World Record for the highest tandem bungy jump from a helicopter over Bondi Beach, Sydney—300 meters with Australian TV personality Grant Denyer.
2006
Gusi Peace Prize
AJ Hackett was awarded the Gusi Peace Prize for his contribution to sports.
2006
World's highest bungy, Macau Tower
Opening and jumping from the Macau Tower in China, measuring 233 meters above ground and holding the title as the highest commercial bungy.
2008
Viaduc swing, Normandie, France
Normandie, France, opened the highest viaduc swing in France at 61m.
2015
Guinness World Record - Most People Bungy Jumping in 24 Hours
AJ Hackett Cairns site awarded the Guinness World Record for 542 people bungy jumping in 24 hours.
2017
Sentosa, Singapore opens
AJ Hackett Sentosa officially opens its doors on Siloso Beach, Sentosa Island, Singapore.
2020
Skypark by AJ Hackett is launched
Commencing in Cairns, Australia, the Skypark by AJ Hackett brand is launched across all activity sites throughout 2021.
2022
Skycube launches in Normandie
The Skycube, a glass cube measuring 1.8m by 1.8m and 61m above the Souleuvre Valley, opened at Skypark Normandie.
2024
Skyrope
Skyrope launches in Normandie, with a 35m rope jump providing a new adrenaline experience and unique ground rush in the Souleuvre Valley.