From the Gibb River Road to the Great North Walk, there are plenty of Australian destinations where you can seek out adventure.
After sharing our tips on how to become an adventure traveller like Bear Grylls, we’ve put together a list of our top five adventure trips in Australia to get you started.
Grylls came Down Under twice for Man vs. Wild and even he found the wildlife (especially the crocs) and harsh nature of the Kimberley and Northern Territory challenging.
But don’t let that deter you! While adventuring in Australia can be dangerous, you just need to be well prepared and researched, and above all, don’t overestimate your skills.
1. Canyoning in Kalbarri National Park, Western Australia
Kalbarri National Park, around halfway up Western Australia’s coast, is home to the famous Nature’s Window, a natural rock formation that effectively frames the upstream view.
You’ll also find some of the most incredible gorges in Australia at this national park and canyoning is a great way for the adventure traveller to explore the peaks and troughs of this ancient land.
You don’t need to be an experienced canyoner for this adventure. Kalbarri Abseil takes 12-hour tours of the gorges. While high fitness levels are required, this tour will get you in and amongst some of the more inaccessible gorges in the national park, like Zbend. The Kalbarri Abseil will also venture through water, requiring you to navigate while in a tyre tube.
Talk about an adventure!
2. Kayaking the Bass Strait, Tasmania
Kayaking the Bass Strait is only for experienced kayakers. The waters can be rough and wild, and you may need to wait days for the right conditions for a crossing.
Most kayakers choose to navigate the Bass Strait through the Furneaux Group of islands, which includes Flinders Island.
The holy grail for most kayakers is the open sea crossings, most notably the 60 kilometres between the bottom of Wilsons Promontory and Hogan Island.
You’ll need to be well researched and well prepared to undertake this epic adventure. Less-experienced kayakers should avoid treks on the open sea, and practise on smooth waters found in enclosed waters.3. Hiking the Larapinta Trail, Northern Territory
The 220-kilometre-long Larapinta Trail is a hike through some of the most spectacular scenery in the Northern Territory. Passing through gorges, gaps, ranges and rivers, this isn’t an easy trek. And the varied weather adds to the challenges, with hot days and freezing-cold nights.
The walk is split into 12 sections. If you don’t feel up to the entire walk, you can drive between the sections or join a guided tour through the ‘best of’ the trail. But for experienced walkers with the right hiking shoes and supplies, this hike is an Aussie ‘must walk’.
4. Four-wheel driving in Deua National Park, New South Wales
When you think of four-wheel-driving adventures, you probably think of the Birdsville Track or Flinders Ranges National Park. But while those adventures are not to be missed, there are also some spectacular four-wheel-drive treks in Australia’s more lush national parks.
Deua National Park is a difficult four-wheel-drive adventure that isn’t suitable for soft-roaders vehicles, due to various river crossings.
You’ll drive through historic towns, in forests and over ranges, experiencing the wild and lush beauty of the southern coast of New South Wales. And as with any good four-wheel-drive trek, there are plenty of opportunities to get out of the car and explore the park on foot, go fishing or explore the water in a canoe.
Recent floods in the area have led to some road closures, so make sure to check with the Office of Environment and Heritage before heading out on a trek.
5. Boat fishing at Hervey Bay, Queensland
According to experienced angler Steve Cooper, Hervey Bay ranks highly as a top boat-fishing destination. Its waters are teeming with fish, including giant trevally, longtail and mackerel tuna, and marlin.
While the excellent fishing draws anglers to this area, there are some dangers to be aware of, as with any open-sea fishing expedition. The waters around Hervey Bay are not only home to many fish, but also to sharks and stingrays.
Weather conditions, such as strong winds, can also cause dangerous swells. But as Hervey Bay offers great beach and pier fishing, dangerous conditions are no reason to cut a fishing adventure short – you’ll just have to change the venue.
What adventure treks do you recommend?
Image credit: abseiling in Kalbarri National Park, Tourism Australia; Kayaking at Wilsons Promontory, Tourism Victoria; Courts Section, Larapinta Trail, Tourism Northern Territory; fishing in Queensland, Tourism Queensland
