Few 75-year-old visitors to New Zealand can claim they have done four bungy jumps and a skydive during their visit, but Irishwoman Kathy McDonough can and she has the photos to prove it.

During her six-week trip to New Zealand and Australia, which ends today, Kathy has become a bona-fide thrill-seeker notching up jumps from the Kawarau, Nevis and Auckland Bridge AJ Hackett bungy sites, and a skydive to add to the Ledge bungy jump she did two years ago.

After jumping from the original Kawarau Bridge site in front of an encouraging lunchtime crowd yesterday, Mrs McDonough said she always got a little bit scared as she approached the edge but loved the thrill she got once she was falling.

"I could do it again.

"The worst thing about it is walking back up the hill again," she said.

With most of her family unaware of her exploits, Mrs McDonough's Queenstown-based great-niece Kim Robinson said she would have some explaining to do when she showed off her holiday snaps and T-shirt collection.

"My mum would kill me if she knew about any of these activities we are doing. I just don't tell her anything and plan them."

Having managed to trick her great aunt into her first bungy jump two years ago, Miss Robinson said she upped the ante this time around and planned the impressive action-packed itinerary.

AJ Hackett marketing co-ordinator Zelia Horrell said anyone over 75 could jump free of charge at all of the company's sites, so Kathy had been given her three most recent jumps.

Balclutha pensioner Joe Ashmore holds the record for being the oldest jumper at the Kawarau Bridge. Mr Ashmore jumped from the bridge in 2004 at ag 94, having already taken the leap twice previously, at 92 and 93.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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