Shotover Canyon Swing — Attraction in South Island

Despite the great reviews, sometimes things don’t go to plan…

We booked a canyon swing and fox (zipline) for a Saturday morning. At the fox site, windspeed was just under 20 metres/second, which is the limit for safety. The staff were initially very funny and joking around with me that I would be hanging off a small string and that it would be intense and frightening. I appreciated this at the time because it was all in good fun. They hooked me up, and after some more joking around, released the zipline: I flew forwards about 5 meters to the end of a metal frame and was then lurched backwards as the zipline got stuck at the end of the metal frame, leaving me suspended over the canyon.

I initially thought this was a joke, and shouted to the staff that that was not cool, as during the lurch I hurt my neck. It became apparent that this was not a joke, and that I was just stuck suspended over the canyon. Because it was so windy, I could not hear instructions the staff were shouting to me from the side of the mountain. Eventually, after much shouting, one of the staff had to throw a carabiner harness over to me so that I could hook myself in and be pulled back to safety. Apparently this has never happened while the fox has been running for the last two years.

I understand that things can go wrong, and I’m grateful I came away alive. However, after this incident, there was no safety debriefing from the staff, no acknowledgement of what went wrong and no apology. The staff obviously were not trained to deal with a situation that was not part of their standard routine, and this is very dangerous. They ushered me to the canyon swing, where yet again, no one gave me any debrief, explanation or apology. The staff instead continued to joke around saying that, after all, I had “wanted a thrill, right?” I was made to sign an incident form, and then waited a very long time in the waiting room (again, without anyone saying anything to me) before doing the swing.

The whole incident left a very sour taste in my mouth, and I didn’t really enjoy the canyon swing after that, because I didn’t trust the staff anymore. We were then informed that the fox had been fixed and we could try again if we wanted… Hmm no thank you. I raised my concerns, and the lady at the desk said she would give me a refund for the fox and some free photos of my swing. I agreed and just wanted to leave. She was then informed that I could not have both the photos and a refund, which was ridiculous - I didn’t want a refund because I was too scared to do it or for any reason of my own - I wanted a refund because there was an actual malfunction! I then had to argue my case… finally, she agreed to honour her initial offer. Instead of a refund however, she actually just charged my card for another 70 dollars! Thankfully I picked this up on my online banking app and then had to wait another ten minutes while she learned how to process a refund, and try again.

I’m giving two stars because the canyon swing itself was fine (even though it lasted all of five seconds after waiting a long time). However, the attitude of the staff when things go wrong, the lack of training they have in dealing with incidents, and their unwillingness to sort out the problem and process a refund was truly shocking. I have heard the AJ Hackett swing has been going for longer and is really highly rated - I would recommend...

Aloha! This will be long! But! If you're looking for an adrenaline-pumping activity that will leave you breathless and with memories to last a lifetime, then look no further than the Shotover Canyon Swing in Queenstown, New Zealand. This is not your ordinary swing - it's a heart-stopping, gut-wrenching, and exhilarating experience that will take you soaring over the Shotover River Canyon at speeds of up to 120km/h.

From the moment you arrive at the Shotover Canyon Swing, you'll be greeted by friendly and professional staff who will guide you through the entire experience. After a safety briefing and harness fitting, you'll be transported to the launch platform, where you'll have the option to choose from a range of swing styles that will suit your level of adventure.

Whether you're a thrill-seeker or a first-timer, the Shotover Canyon Swing has something for everyone. You can choose from a variety of swing styles, from the classic forwards jump to the more daring backwards jump, or even the insane "Gimp Boy Goes to Hollywood" where you'll be launched face-first into the abyss.

Once you've made your choice, you'll be securely harnessed and then launched off the platform, hurtling towards the canyon floor below. The sensation of free-falling through the air is indescribable - it's a mix of excitement, fear, and pure adrenaline that will have you screaming and laughing all at once.

But it's not just the swing itself that makes the Shotover Canyon Swing such an incredible experience - it's the stunning views of the Shotover River Canyon and the surrounding mountains that will take your breath away. As you swing back and forth, you'll be treated to panoramic views of the rugged landscape below, including the crystal-clear water of the Shotover River and the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps in the distance.

Overall, the Shotover Canyon Swing is an absolute must-try for anyone visiting Queenstown, New Zealand. It's an experience that will push you to your limits, but also leave you with a sense of accomplishment and a newfound appreciation for the beauty and thrill of adventure. So, if you're looking for an unforgettable adventure that will have you talking about it for years to come, then book your spot on the Shotover Canyon...

Wow, wow, wow! What an amazing experience that we will never forget! Hamish is a quadriplegic and the staff at the Canyon Swing were so incredible from beginning to end. Beth in the office helped us get our booking sorted and took all the time to explain everything to Hamish, answering any and all questions we had, calling the guys at the swing a solid 5 times to ensure Hamish would feel comfortable and safe with them! Rob met us at the top and helped Hamish down the steep pathway and stairs to get the jumping platform. He kept things light hearted and fun but always made sure Hamish was comfortable and felt safe. Although I chickened out, he did his best to assure me of the safety standard they uphold. For an activity that isn’t necessarily ‘accessible’ the whole crew came together to make sure it was possible for Hamish and for that, we cannot thank them enough! I couldn’t speak more highly of everyone at the canyon swing and would recommend to absolutely anyone and everyone heading to Queenstown, especially those in chairs! A shoutout also to Meghan who was on the platform as well, you were...