About this tour
When Noah from our team tried the Skywire at Cable Bay, he found himself strapped in alongside three others, hurtling down 800 metres of pure gravity at speeds hitting 100km/hr—then turning around and doing it backwards. You start in a 4X4 van winding through native forest, guides firing off local stories and forest facts as you climb to the launch platform. The whole experience runs just under 12 minutes of actual flying time, wrapped in about 80 minutes total. It's the kind of rush that leaves you grinning like a kid and asking if you can go again straight away.
Highlights
- Speeds hit 100km/hr on gravity-assisted sections—genuinely quick.
- Forward and backward runs give two different perspectives of the same line.
- Native forest setting feels wild, not theme-park artificial.
- Guides chat throughout the van ride up—adds context, eases nerves.
- Small groups of four keep it intimate and manageable.
- Nearly 12 minutes of actual flying time justifies the outing.
- Scenic journey sections break up the pure adrenaline rushes nicely.
- Free parking and air-conditioned van transport included throughout.
What to expect
The day kicks off at the base where you'll meet your guide and hop into a 4X4. The drive up through the forest is genuinely engaging—guides point out native trees, local history, and what's worth seeing around Nelson while you're getting your head in the game. Once you hit the launch platform, there's a brief safety rundown, then you're clipped in with up to three others and released down the line.
The ride itself splits into two halves: the first 800 metres is pure gravity, your stomach doing backflips as you pick up speed. The next 700 metres slows to a scenic glide where you can actually clock the views before the line zips you back uphill to reverse the whole thing—backwards this time. It's disorienting in the best way. By the end you're buzzing, a bit breathless, and genuinely impressed with the engineering. Total time in the air is under 12 minutes, but it lands hard.
What travellers say
- 800-metre gravity sections hit genuine speed—not a kiddie ride.
- Backwards run forces you to experience it fresh twice.
- Guides animate the forest trip with local stories and knowledge.
- Small four-person groups prevent crowding and long queues.
- Native forest setting feels immersive, not manufactured.
- Air-conditioned van transport included in base price.
- Under 12 minutes flying time for a full outing commitment.
- Not suitable if you've got spinal, cardiac, or pregnancy concerns.
- Weather delays and wind can affect scheduling unpredictably.
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
This is legitimately one of the longer zipline experiences going, and the backward section genuinely adds something new rather than just repeating the same run. The forest setting beats industrial parks, and guides actually know their stuff about the area. Small groups of four mean you're not queuing forever or feeling like cattle. It's suitable for most fitness levels, and if you want to bring kids or spectators, there are options (though spectators cost extra to join the van ride).
It's not recommended if you've got spinal issues, pregnancy, or cardiovascular concerns—this is properly intense. The van ride up is a bit bumpy on forest tracks. Food and drinks aren't included, so plan accordingly. Nelson can be chilly and windy, especially higher up. Weather delays happen. It's thrilling but brief—under 12 minutes of actual ride time—so manage expectations on duration versus the hype.
Wear closed-toe shoes and something you don't mind getting dusty. Bring water. The 80-minute total includes briefing, the van ride both ways, and the ride itself. Peak times can mean wait-ups, so book early. Children under 16 need an adult. Wheelchair access is available for the van and base area, though the actual zipline has physical requirements.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.