Australia is a continent that just oozes adventure. Whether you have to combat crocodiles, the most venomous snakes in the world or walkabout the vast outback or dive with sharks in the open ocean, Australia has much to offer the most dedicated adrenaline junkie. So get yourself Down Under for the best adventures in Australia!
Living the Adventure in Cairns
Cairns is not only the gateway destination to the Great Barrier Reef, but also one of the top adventure travel destinations in Australia. You can go snorkeling or scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef easily here and visit the largest coral reef in the world! Also, Cairns is pretty much adventure mecca, since you can go on a 14,000ft skydive across the city and also do a spot of bungee jumping at the AJ Hackett bungee jump to get the adrenaline pumping. This was the world’s first purpose built tower for bungee jumping, with 16 types of jump styles. Because Cairns is surrounded by rainforest it’s a spectacular experience!
Surfing the Fierce Waves of Tasmania
The jagged Tasman Peninsula on Tasmania’s south-east coast is home to some of Australia’s most fierce waves. If you’re a surfer who loves a challenge, then head down to Tasmania to hook some crazy “Shippies”, Shipstern Bluff waves.
Exploring Tasmania’s Rocks and Caves
Rock climbing in Tasmania (photo by Tim Lucas)
Not just waves, Tasmania is also home to some great spelunking spots and rock climbing venues. If you like to go underground Down Under, then Mole Creek Karst National Park is a good option for you. Tasmania is home to more caves than anywhere else in Oz, where you’ll find a vast underground network of caverns, caves, tunnels and even subterranean rivers. Marakoopa and King Solomon’s Caves are perhaps the best loved on the island, which are a part of a vast system comprised of 300 caves and sinkholes with special protected status by the Mole Creek Karst National Park and the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage areas. For the more adventurous, you can also go caving, rock climbing, canyoning and even abseiling here.
Adventurous Terrain on Kangaroo Island
If you love adventure, you’ll love Kangaroo Island in southern Australia. You can do all kinds of crazy things like sand board down huge dunes, quad bike in the bush and even go on a helicopter ride. The island’s terrain is rather eclectic, from serene and calm landscapes to rugged and rough edges. The best thing is once you’re done with the high octane activities, you can enjoy the amazing gourmet offerings available here – you can’t get better than good food and adventure!
Thrills in Byron Bay
Byron Bay in New South Wales has gained a healthy reputation for adventure travel. You can get your adrenaline fix in the air, by flying a glider or even a gyrocopter, but you can also go surfing, scuba diving, sea kayaking and paddle boarding. Sea kayaking is a great way to get up close with migrating whales, which will certainly be an experience of a lifetime! Head up into the hinterlands for waterfalls in the forest, adventurous trails for mountain biking and more!
Ride Kimberley Coast’s Horizontal Falls
In the uninhabited Buccaneer Archipelago, there are two narrow gorges in Talbot Bay about an hour’s flight north of Broome. The first gorge measures six meters wide, the other 24. This structure causes an unusual natural phenomenon, where the mountainous tide changes, which can range from 8-9 meters, causes all the water to race through the gorges! The effect might look like white water rapids from the air, but actually the natural phenomenon is more akin to water falling like a waterfall – hence the term Horizontal Falls. You can experience the adventures by traveling to the natural wonder by taking a purpose built boat through the falls, which is an exhilarating experience.
Journey to the Center of the Earth in Hancock Gorge
If you look down from above, Hancock Gorge looks like something cleaved from the earth itself, dropping deep into darkness. Adventurers who are not afraid to get their hands dirty can climb down ladders bolted onto the walls to the canyon floor. Once down in the gorge, you will need to wade and swim through the water to the beach, which will open out into a green pool. Reaching the tranquil pool, which is surrounded by rock that’s over 2.5 billion years old, takes an hour to reach, but through the dark pool, it will feel like Verne’s Journey to the Center of the Earth!
Drift Snorkeling in the Rainforest in Mossman River
The rainforest around the Mossman River is the oldest in the world and one of the most bio-diverse on the planet. However, if you want to do something different, you can do a spot of drift snorkeling. You put on your snorkel and mask and jump into the hip-deep water and simply get carried along with the current. You don’t even need flippers, but you should travel with a guide. There is plenty to see in the clear water, from freshwater turtles to platypuses, a uniquely Aussie experience!