For maximum adrenalin, minimum risk and greatest expense, you can't go past bungy jumping . Not only is New Zealand the birthplace of commercial bungy jumping, it also has some of the world's finest jump sites - bridges over deep canyons and platforms cantilevered out over rivers. It is a complete head game; there's really nothing to fear but a massive rush of wind that lasts for ten seconds and a huge surge of adrenalin that can linger in the system for days.

The craze was kicked off by Kiwi A.J. Hackett who, after a spectacular and highly-publicized jump from the Eiffel Tower in 1986, set up the first commercial operation just outside Queenstown on the Kawerau Suspension Bridge (43m). Its location beside the Queenstown-Cromwell highway, and the chance to be dunked in the river make this the most popular jump site, but there are now four other local sites, two above the Shotover River in Skippers Canyon , and a handful of other sites around the country.

Wherever you jump, there'll be a boom-box cranking out Limp Bizkit or suchlike while they strap the bungy cord to your legs. You'll be fed the jocular spiel about the bungy breaking (it won't) or not being attached properly (it will be) then you'll be chivvied into producing a cheesy (or wan) grin for a camera or three before shuffling out onto the precipice for the countdown. A swan dive is the traditional first jump, but there is often a substantial discount for second and subsequent jumps on the same day, giving jump veterans the opportunity to try The Elevator (just hopping off the platform, either forwards or backwards) or any number of variations. The pleasure is greatly enhanced by pre-jump banter and post-jump analysis, making the longer trips involving a drive into the site - the Skippers Canyon and Nevis sites in particular - all the more appealing. To show how brave you've been, this will all have been captured on video; there are also souvenir strips of used bungy cord to buy and a T-shirt, sometimes included in the jump package. Prices range from $90-150.

There have been a couple of injuries in the past but, on balance, bungy jumping is one of the safest adventure activities. The bungy cords are made from latex rubber (if it's good enough for condoms&) and only used 600 times, a quarter of their expected life. Some folk have been known to notch up over 1500 jumps without adverse effects, though bloodshot eyes aren't uncommon and there have been isolated reports of detached retinas and aggravated back injuries.

A couple of close relatives of bungy jumping have hit the scene in recent years. A couple of places are now offering bridge swinging , which involves a gut-wrenching fall and super-fast swing along a gorge while harnessed to a cable.