Australia for Adventure Seekers

Spending time in the great outdoors is a joy in Australia. There are just so many different things to do! If you prefer something with a bit of extra excitement, try some of these daring adventures that will take you further from the usual tourist route.

See a different side to the Outback

Setting sight on red sand that stretches out to the horizon and seeing Uluru (Ayers Rock) at sunset are the main tourist sites of the Great Australian outback, but there is so much more for an adventure seeker to see in these vast outdoors. At Uluru, you can walk around the rock and explore the many caves that are hidden in its crevices. Learn about Aboriginal culture through the beautiful paintings that adorn the rock caves. Whilst it is possible to actually climb to the top of Uluru, the local Aboriginal community has requested that visitors do not climb the rock as it is against their cultural beliefs. However, if you want to see Uluru in a more adventurous way, why not hire a camel and explore the nearby desert. Better yet, why not put on your sunglasses, tie a bandana around your forehead and jump on the back of a Harley Davidson, feeling the warm breeze against your back as you ride along some of the most scenic yet isolated roads in the world.

Further south of Uluru in South Australia is the mystical region known as Lake Eyre. Located in the middle of the desert, this is the largest lake in Australia, but it is rarely filled with water. The giant salt flat creates a mirage with a myriad of crystals that glisten in the sun. When the lake is filled with water, you can get out and kayak or catamaran around it.

One of the best ways to see Lake Eyre at any time of year though is by air. From Adelaide you can visit Lake Eyre on a day trip in a light airplane. There are several tour providers that will fly you out of the city and into the outback where you can see the system of lagoons, the stark desert and of course the magnificent sparkling Lake Eyre. Touch down and have lunch with the locals at the Birdsville pub before heading back to Adelaide. This is one of those adventure experiences that is worth making time for in your itinerary.

If you prefer to stay closer to the ground, then Coober Pedy may be perfect for you. Famous as an opal-mining town, Coober Pedy is one of the hottest places in Australia, where the majority of the small population lives underground to protect themselves from the sweltering heat.  Not one for the claustrophobic, you can explore underground museums, art galleries and even churches. You can even experience sleeping in a cave at the underground hotel.

Get close to the wild life

Australia is home to some of the most dangerous species of reptiles and arachnids in the world. If you are ready to face some of the most dangerous animals known to man, then here is your chance.

Near Adelaide, in the town of Port Lincoln, you can go diving with a shark, and you don’t even need to be a qualified diver. The Great White Shark is an endangered animal so this could be one of your only chances to see one, both from a boat and in the sea. From the boat you can watch these incredible creatures feeding, but for the best experience you really have to go under water. Protected by a cage, you are lowered into the ocean where you come face to face with a shark for up to 45 minutes.

It certainly doesn’t get more thrilling than this, unless of course you are in the Cage of Death. In the northern city of Darwin, you can go underwater in a cage of a different kind, one surrounded by huge Saltwater Crocodiles. These prehistoric animals are completely terrifying, capable of killing a human in one snap of their strong jaws. You can watch crocodiles up to 5 metres long being fed in front of you, with nothing but some steel wire between you and their appetites. 

Take a hike

Home to some of the most scenic nature walks, there are no shortage of places to explore by foot in Australia. One of the most famous hikes would have to be the Overland Track in Tasmania that goes from Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair National Park. This wild and dramatic landscape is part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area; think rugged mountains, towering pine trees and glacial lakes. Amidst this stunning terrain, you will also find some elusive and unusual animals such as the Tasmanian devil, the spotted-tailed quoll and even a platypus.

The Overland Track takes about 6 days and covers 65 kilometres.  If you don’t have that much time to spare, there are several shorter or day-trip hikes that you can also do from either Cradle Mountain or Lake St Clair National Park.

If you can’t make it across Bass Strait to Tasmania, you can still do the ultimate adventure walk in Sydney; climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The summit  of this Australian icon is 134 metres high, so this walk isn’t for those who have a fear of heights. Chained to the steel structure, you scale the famous curve of the bridge rain, hail or shine, which all just adds to the adventure. I climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge when the rain was swirling past at high speed and though it was scary, the feeling at the top was absolutely exhilarating. It is also the best view of Sydney Harbour you will ever see, so don’t forget to take your camera with you.

Go for a joy ride

If you prefer to get your thrills on a man-made adventure, then you simply must visit the Gold Coast; the home of the best theme parks in Australia. You can pretend you are a member of the Justice League, Batman or even a cowboy at Movie World. For aquatic experiences, Sea World is your best bet. Here, you can go on a deep-water adventure with dolphins, a seal safari or even learn how exciting it is to train wild animals for a day.

Go for scuba diving at the Great Barrier Reef! Swim among schools of little fish, gaze over a blue vista and adore the intricate corals! Dives are available for both,introductory and certified dives and also for the snorkeling tours! There are calm and shallow spots around the islands, perfect for first-timers and there are deeper sites on the outer reefs for professionals!

Further north in Cairns, you can tick bungee jumping off your bucket list. The ultimate adrenaline rush, jump off a tower with nothing but a giant rubber band to stop you from hitting the ground. What makes Cairns the best place to bungee jump is the stunning view across the Coral Sea, surrounded by waterfalls, all of which will distract you if the thought of falling to the ground is just too much to bear. Alternatively, test out your sanity by bungee jumping to the light of the full moon. Definitely not one for the faint-hearted, this is one only for serious thrill-seekers.

Also, try Sky-diving in Cairns! It’s a one in a lifetime experience! This includes a ride in Australia's fastest Skydive plane, the Cresco 750 and then leaping into the sky from 10,000 feet above! Feel the rush !!

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