Want to challenge yourself and break free from the gravity bound? Take a look at these four thrill-seeking activities you can do in Australia to step up the adventure.
1. Skydive at Mission Beach, Queensland
View the Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest coral reef system, as you plummet toward it from above.
Flip. Fly. Float. Then gently touch down upon the beach and throw a wave at the gawkers who have watched you drop out of the sky.
Give yourself a pat on the back – you just willingly jumped out of a plane and lived to tell the tale! – and grab the DVD chronicling your great adventure. You’ll want to show it to your friends over drinks later that night.
Visit skydivemissionbeach.com.au for more information.
2. Swim with the whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia
There’s something truly special about a destination where you can say that swimming with manta rays, dolphins and sea turtles simply isn’t the ultimate marine experience.
But at Ningaloo Reef, off the coast of Western Australia, whale sharks descend on the reef from April to July. They are the largest fish in the world, and can be up to ten metres long, and pose no threat to humans. So you can swim with them!
Head over to Coral Bay and book a trip with one of the many dive and snorkel operators in the area. They’ll bring the gear and send spotter planes up into the air to make sure you get to swim with these gentle giants. Swim right alongside them. Yup. You can do that. You should do that. As soon as possible.
3. Go whitewater rafting on the North Johnstone River, Wooroonooran National Park, Queensland
Helicopter in. The underbrush is so dense, it’s the only way. The lush greenery falls away into cliffs and cascading waterfalls. In this ancient area, you might discover water dragons, saltwater crocodiles, pythons and eagles.
Four days navigating grinding Class 5 rapids on a steeply flowing river, passing through a volcanic gorge and a protected rainforest. Three nights camping beside leafy canopies and bright stars.
It has been called one of the top ten rafting adventures in the world. Should it be in the top ten? You’ll just have to find out for yourself.
RNR White Water Rafting runs tours of North Johnstone River. Check their website for more details.
4. Hang-glide over Byron Bay, New South Wales
Take a running start. Really pound the grass. Make sure little tufts of green are swirling behind you, kicking up all about you. A full sprint. Nothing less. And leap off the cliff by yourself or in tandem. And you’ll fly.
Hang-glide over woodsy Cape Byron Nature Reserve and Lennox Head. Swoop down and back up, dive left and right on the wind, all the while taking in the sights and sounds of the glorious Byron Bay coastline and its world-famous beaches.
Soar with the birds, like a bird, for an afternoon. It will be an experience not soon forgotten. Various companies run tandem hang-glides over Byron Bay. Byron Bay and Lennox Head Hang Gliding School launches from Cape Byron Nature Reserve.
