No gravity in new zealand

New Zealand is already famous for having some of the world's most beautiful scenery and now it has another string to add to its bow - one of its tourist attractions has been named the ‘best experience' in the country for the second year running...

If you are in the market for an extreme experience, how about trying out one of the best in the world? Tourists flock to New Zealand every year in search of some serious outdoor activities and one of them has just scooped a ‘best experience' award at the Golden Backpack Awards.

Shotover Canyon Swing in Queenstown on New Zealand's South island is the world's highest swing. 109 metres above the Shotover River is a platform from which you leap in freefall (attached to a harness of course) for 60 metres, before swinging at speeds of up to 150 kilometres per hour above the canyon.

11,000 consumers have named Shotover Canyon Swing the ‘Best Experience' in New Zealand for the second year running.

The Golden Backpack Awards recognise those companies who work hardest to make backpacking around Australia and New Zealand that extra bit special.

Run in association with TNT Magazine, the Golden Backpacks are the only awards for the independent travel sector that are voted for solely by the consumer.

Shotover Canyon Swing General Manager Matt Hollyer, said, "It's been a big year, and this Golden Backpack is serious icing on the cake.

"We've been voted the Best Experience in the country, not once, but twice now. We regard this as the ultimate achievement because it's our customers saying we're the best - it doesn't get much better than that!"

"We've always been committed to delivering the best experience in New Zealand and I guess that commitment's paying off.

"We like to do things a bit differently at Shotover Canyon Swing. We enjoy being creative with our unique jumpstyles and we have a bit of fun with our customers and they love it," he added.

Votes from 11,000 backpackers allowed TNT Magazine to issue Golden Backpack awards for ‘Highly Commended' and ‘Winner' for the categories of ‘Best Hostel', ‘Best Experience' and ‘Best Bar', for each state and territory within Australia, and for New Zealand.

Mr Hollyer said the award was voted by the men and women in sandals and t-shirts.

"In winning this award we would like to acknowledge that we weren't assessed by judges in suits, there was no swanky submission document, no enlightening powerpoint and no animals harmed - just international travellers voting with their heads and hearts."

The Shotover Canyon Swing recently hosted its oldest participant- 81 year old thrill seeker Duncan O'Brien from Denver in Colorado.

Mr Hollyer said, "He would have to be one of the oldest customers we've had and one of the tallest too - he was well over six foot three!

"The crew loved looking after him and were inspired by his zest for life and courage," he added.

Picture by travellingtamas