Do you love bridges as much as I do? Have you watched those documentaries on the great bridges of the world? Ever flipped through one of those coffee table books with stunning photos of bridges around the globe?
There is nothing more breathtaking than seeing those bridges in person as you gape in wonder and begin to calculate the engineering feat that resulted in its construction. If you’re like me, you just end up shaking your head and muttering, “I have no idea how they built this.”
One of the drawbacks of seeing expansive bridges in person is that many of them do not allow pedestrian traffic. Thus, you are reduced to driving over them in your vehicle, cruising along at a reasonable speed as a long line of cars behind you hopes to cross in good time as well. The result? You gain only a fraction of the dramatic perspective that is produced from that vantage point.
On other bridges, pedestrians are permitted, but walking across them does not result in much satisfaction as cars zoom by and you navigate a perilous, narrow sidewalk. In fact, you pay so much attention to where you are stepping, you often don’t see the manifold sights around you.
Some cities, however, realize that their bridges can act as tourist magnets and yield a unique and enjoyable experience for people who are not afraid of heights and want to see the city from a different angle. The city of Auckland, New Zealand, is one of the cities that has capitalized on such bridge tourism. It offers a different type of bridge experience that has proven to be quite popular. Visitors to this bustling coastal hub often take advantage of the Auckland Bridge Climb, a 90-minute adventure that takes walkers under, around, up and over the Auckland Harbor Bridge. Helpful tour guides accompany all walkers and give commentary on the bridge, the city and the gorgeous Waitemata Harbor.
For the even more adventurous, the A.J. Hackett Bungy Site waits to be conquered in the center of the bridge, offering daredevils a substantial plunge towards the water. For those who will find walking too tame a way to experience the bridge, this giant leap (the world’s first harbor bridge bungy) can add adequate thrills to the event.
In addition, several packages are available to groups of 10 or more. Group photos can be taken on the bridge during the tour, with lovely Auckland in the background. Tours that include a dining stop afterwards can also be arranged. Finally, the popular “Toss Your Boss” off the Bungy site can also be booked for those employees who want to express their lingering resentments in a fun and creative way. For those who are from out of town, the bungy is a short taxi ride from the CBD, or for the more independent traveler, you can hire a car from Omega Rental Cars Auckland and get there by yourself.
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The Auckland Harbor Bridge is open seven days a week, except public holidays. Bookings for tours are essential and certain minimum requirements must be met by each walker, such as 35 kg in weight (77 pounds), 115 cm in height (about 3 feet, 9 inches) and at least 7 years of age.
Author Bio: Omega Car Hire New Zealand offers a large range of high quality rental cars to travelers throughout NZ. They offer free pickup and dropoff from your location, and instant online quotes.