If you’re a fan of holidays that get the heart racing, it’s hard to beat Australia as a travel destination. Fearsome wildlife, dizzying heights, and undersea adventures await intrepid travellers who want to experience life at full tilt. Strap on your safety harness and give the following activities a go if you’re in search of a true adrenaline buzz.
1. Skydiving
Skydiving is a classic activity for thrill-seekers, allowing you to see the world from an entirely new perspective without the safety of an airplane window pane. Enjoy birds-eye views of the land down under while freefalling at speeds up to 200km per hour, and you’ll never be the same.
Although the trip only lasts for a few minutes, you’ll remember it for years to come. There are numerous heart-pounding locations in Australia that are popular with skydiving enthusiasts, including Queensland’s Mission Beach. This allows you to enjoy views of the Great Barrier Reef and pristine coastline on your descent.
2. Swimming with Crocodiles
Were you a fan of Crocodile Dundee while growing up? Take a dip in some crocodile-infested waters at the Crocosaurus Cove Animal Park in Darwin, Australia. You’ll be protected by a cage, but still get the experience of coming face to face with these awe-inspiring creatures.
3. Driving on Sand Dunes
If you prefer taking a joy ride to jumping out of an airplane, Australia offers numerous off-roading tracks to explore. Yet some of the most exciting are on its massive sand dunes, including the Stockton Bight Dunes near Nelson Bay. With 32 miles of 40-metre dunes to tackle, you can make a day of it.
You’ll need a sturdy 4WD vehicle to try your hand at off-roading, so consider looking at a local listings site like Carsales to choose something suitable to handle the dunes.
4. Mountain Climbing
Although its beaches tend to get more attention, Australia also boasts a number of mountain ranges to explore. The Grampians, Blue Mountains, and Glass Mountains all offer stunning views and sheer rock faces to climb.
There are guided tours or you can set out on your own with the proper gear, but be sure to notify a park ranger first. One of the most popular is Mt Warning in New South Wales, overlooking the Tweed Valley in Wollumbin National Park.
5. Hitting the Waves
Finally, there may be no more classic Australian activity than surfing. Although you’ll find no shortage of gentle waves for beginners, visit beaches like Surfer’s Point in Western Australia to try your hand at 20 foot-high waves.
You can also enjoy all of the thrills of life under the sea by swimming, diving, or snorkelling. Take it a step further by diving with sharks, a popular activity at many aquariums. Like swimming with the crocodiles, if you go diving with the sharks you’ll be separated from their teeth by a metal cage.
Whether you prefer climbing into the sky or falling out of it, Australia offers many exciting activities to make your next trip a true adventure.
Image Source: Xof711/Wikimedia Commons (license CC BY-SA 3.0)
Lance Longwell is a travel writer and photographer who has published Travel Addicts since 2008, making it one of the oldest travel blogs. He is a life-long traveler, having visited all 50 of the United States by the time he graduated high school. Lance has continued his adventures by visiting 70 countries on 5 continents – all in search of the world’s perfect sausage. He’s a passionate foodie and enjoys hot springs and cultural oddities. When he’s not traveling (or writing about travel), you’ll find him photographing his hometown of Philadelphia.