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Taranaki Wharf Jump Platform

Wellington, New Zealand

A winding staircase that appears to lead to nowhere is actually a diving platform into the Wellington Harbour. 

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A diver leaps into the air. Justine Hall / Wellington City Council (Creative Commons)
A diver leaps into the air. Justine Hall / Wellington City Council (Creative Commons)
The Taranaki Wharf Jump Platform is incredibly popular with locals. Darcy Lawrey (Creative Commons)
Divers jump from the Taranaki Wharf Jump Platform. Justine Hall / Wellington City Council (Creative Commons)
The platform is free for everyone to use. Justine Hall / Wellington City Council (Creative Commons)
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Perched on top of the historic Taranaki wharf piles, a 7.5-meter-tall steel spiral “staircase” offers divers a thrilling plunge into Wellington Harbour. On warm days, locals can be seen leaping from the top of the Taranaki Wharf Jump Platform.

If approaching from a distance, it may appear that people are plummeting from the staircase straight into the asphalt below. Jumpers land into a semi-enclosed space, shielding swimmers from sea currents.

Before its construction, locals erected makeshift dive boards or leaped from buildings into the sea. Designed by Wright + Associates (Wa) in 2013, the platform offers swimmers a safe and fun splash into the frigid waters below. 

Know Before You Go

Check water conditions before jumping or swimming in the Wellington Harbour. Visit the Land Water Air Aotearoa for water quality reports.

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Published
February 27, 2024
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