Australia is a sprawling land of many natural wonders and surprises. Millions of tourists flock to Australian cities every year. The country offers all kinds of leisure options. Here is a short selection of options for the more rugged leisure-seekers.
Abseiling in the Blue Mountains
The Blue Mountains comprise a range in the vast hilly region of New South Wales. Many of the hills have ideal faces for climbing and abseiling. Participants are surrounded by pristine nature. They get splendid views of the sprawling region while rappelling down steep hillsides. There are multiple levels of difficulty to suit all kinds of participants. Level 1 is easier and requires no prior experience. It costs AUD 99, inclusive of abseiling equipment, a nutritious lunch, and highly experienced guides. L1 can be completed in about 4 hours. Level 2 is also considered easy and costs AUD 195 for about 8 hrs. Level 3 is only for experienced climbers. It costs AUD 250 for about 8 hrs. Participants get to abseil cliffs from 5-30 m, depending on their confidence level.
Parasailing in Main Beach
The main beach is part of the big city of Gold Coast. Participants get to enjoy the experience of flying high above the waves while a purpose-built boat tows the parasail. Suspended by a harness, the participants get unrestricted 360-degree views of the surfer’s paradise skyline, as far as Brisbane. This can be a solo or tandem activity for 2 participants. Ages 6 and up can enjoy the thrill of floating in the air for about 8 minutes. The adventure costs AUD 147 for 2 persons. The location also offers other activities. Tourists can self-drive Jet skis on a guided 60-minute tour around the crystal blue waters of the Gold Coast Broadwater. A significant proportion of the tourism employees in the Gold Coast and elsewhere in Australia are migrants. These ex-pat professionals prioritize sending international money transfers to support their families back home with remittances. COVID-19 has hit the industry hard. Now it is slowly but surely reviving.
Ziplining in Mount Tamborine
Enjoy the thrill of flying 60m above the canyon at speeds of 70 kph in the Tamborine Mountain in southeast Queensland. This area is home to rainforests which are some of the oldest in Australia. 7 Ziplines are totaling 1.4 km. Each tour takes up to 3 hours. 2 guides accompany groups of up to 10 participants. The price is AUD 120 for adults and AUD 100 for children for the entire stretch. No prior experience is needed. Participants only need to meet the min/max weight requirements.
Shark cage diving in Port Lincoln
Port Lincoln is well-known for fishing and seafood. It is surrounded by waters that offer the best chance of sighting great whites. Participants get to see the big sharks up close from the safety of a purpose-built diving cage. The cost of this unforgettable encounter is AUD 495 per adult. The price includes all diving equipment, including 7 mm wetsuits, hoods, boots, gloves, and masks. A visitor fee of AUD 40 goes towards research and ongoing management of shark cage diving. There is a promise of an AUD 100 refund if you do not sight a shark. Participants travel to and from the dive site in a fast boat. This gives them the shortest 1-day adventure with the same amount of drive time. No previous experience is needed. After a day of diving, the participants can enjoy the scenic sunset. Port Lincoln has award-winning restaurants and great local wine.
Sandboarding in Port Stephens
Port Stephens is a coastal locale in New South Wales. Many nearby beaches are natural tourist attractions. Sandboarding enthusiasts get to experience the thrill of sliding down the huge Stockton Sand Dunes. The dune formations stretch the entire length of Stockton Beach, which is 32 km. The location boasts some of the biggest dunes in the southern hemisphere. Individual dunes can be over 40 meters high. The activity costs AUD 35 per person and lasts for 1:30 hours. Participants get a sandboard, some instruction, and assistance if needed. They also get a tour of the Stockton sands, cruising in air-conditioned vehicles on their way to the site and back. Other attractions in Port Stephens are horse riding, swimming with dolphins, and Koala spotting.
Quad Biking in the Outback
This site is located just 15 minutes from Alice Springs in the heart of the outback. Adventure seekers get to experience 2:30 hours of quad bike action traversing the outback. Tour the Northern territories’ oldest working cattle station. The price for this fun experience is AUD 140 per person. It is inclusive of a guided quad tour. No prior experience is necessary.
Hemant G is a contributing writer at Sparkwebs LLC, a Digital and Content Marketing Agency. When he’s not writing, he loves to travel, scuba dive, and watch documentaries.
