Ohakune Post Office, Bungy Birthplace, Lists for $319,000

Historic Junction Building Offers Business or Holiday Haven

A significant piece of New Zealand’s adventure tourism history is now on the market. The former Ohakune Junction Post Office, the very site where commercial bungy jumping first took flight, is seeking a new owner.

Birthplace of Adrenaline

Located at 37 Thames Street in Ohakune, Ruapehu, this landmark structure served as the operational hub for pioneering adventurer AJ Hackett and his associate Chris Allum during the 1980s. From this building, they launched their business, New Sensations Supply Company, and developed the concept of monetising bungy jumping.

“The first-ever commercial bungy jumps happened during a long weekend from the old Hāpuawhenua Viaduct in September 1988, with Hackett then taking the operation to the more famous Kawarau Bridge spot a few months later.”

The business, which initially sold monoskis and snowboards, faced financial challenges. Encouraged by Allum, Hackett, already known for his daring Eiffel Tower jump, commercialised his passion for bungy. While the Ohakune site ceased operations around 1990 due to competition, the building retains its historical significance.

A Ski Bach’s Second Act

For the past 35 years, the property has been cherished as a “ski bach” by a group of Wellington friends. They purchased the building for a modest sum, reportedly $30,000, and have preserved many of its original features, including the post office boxes at the front and the tearoom-turned-kitchen used by postal workers.

One of the vendors, Nick Lee, explained the initial impulse to buy: “We had a couple of sorts up to the mountain and decided it would be great to have a place up there, and when that came up we thought, ‘oh well, let’s give it a go’.” The friends have since added bunks and a shower to make it more liveable.

Potential for New Ventures

Listing agent Kath Campbell of Tall Poppy highlights the property’s potential, noting its commercial zoning. “It retains many original features,” she stated, adding, “Turoa Lodge, Kings and the Powder Keg are just a stone’s throw away.”

The building is described as a “doer-upper” but presents a unique opportunity for those seeking a project. In New Zealand, properties with unique historical ties often attract significant interest; for instance, the Rotorua Museum, a former government building, is undergoing a multi-million dollar restoration to preserve its heritage and adapt it for public use (Rotorua Lakes Council, 2023).

Campbell, who recalls the building’s lively past, including a snowboard on the roof, has already fielded inquiries from both local and out-of-town buyers drawn to its character and history.

The property is listed for $319,000, offering a chance to own a piece of New Zealand’s pioneering spirit in the adventure tourism sector.