The best places for adventure sports in Australia
Australia is truly one of the best countries in the world for extreme sports, whether you are a die-hard fan of the sport or simply just want to try out new things, then this is the place to be. With fine weather, top quality beaches, craggy mountains, hundreds of national parks and thousands of miles of open outback filled with rivers and forests, Australia is definitely the place for an adventure.
Rock climbing – Mt Arapiles, Victoria
The towering Mt Arapiles, located in Natimuk, Victoria has become the very essence of rock climbing in Australia. The mountain rises majestically from the flat landscape and provides over 2,000 climbing routes over sandstone rock. There are few bolts here and most of the climbing is done with the natural footholds and ledges.
White watering rafting – Tully River, North Queensland
Rafting the raging Tully River in North Queensland, close to the city of Cairns, is said to be the best rafting experience in the whole of Australia and New Zealand combined. Get ready for a thrilling adventure through the World Heritage rainforest, while you try to negotiate the river’s 45 rapids, of swirling eddies, powerful waves, cascades, ledges and drops. Most of the rapids here are classed as Grade 4 or above.
Sky diving – Mission Beach, Queensland
Sky diving right onto Mission Beach, near Cairns, is one of the most spectacular dives the country. Here you will be diving over ancient World Heritage rainforests, unspoilt golden beaches and have stunning views of the ocean and the Great Barrier Reef beyond. This is one of the only spots in the world where two World Heritage sites lie side by side.
Scuba diving – The Yongala, Queensland
Being home to the Great Barrier Reef, you would expect Australia to have some world-class dive spots and it certainly does. Diving the Yongala shipwreck, off the coast of Townsville in Queensland is considered by many to be the most amazing dive spot in the world. The wreck has even been named by scubatravel.co.uk as the top dive spot in the world. Dive the old wreck, marvelling at the array of wildlife, including manta rays, tiger sharks, turtles, bull sharks, clown fish and giant groupers.
Mountain biking - You Yangs National Park, Victoria
The You Yangs National Park lies 55km southwest of the city of Melbourne is fast becoming a Mecca for mountain bikers. The park contains 50km of biking trails, including open dirt roads, single tracks and downhill.
Skiing – Thredbo, New South Wales
Australia is not a country you would usually associate with skiing, but come here in the winter, June through October and you’ll find that the country is home to some world-class ski resorts. Thredbo, an Alpine style village, located in New South Wales is one of Australia’s premier ski resorts, providing 480 hectares of excellent slopes, suiting all abilities. The resort also has terrain parks, as well as plenty of cross and back country ski trails.
Surfing – Gold Coast, Queensland
And finally, we couldn’t mention adventure sports in Australia without mentioning the one that the country is most famous for, that’s right, it’s surfing. If you’re looking for the best place to surf here, then head to the infamous Gold Coast, home to 70km of beaches with epic waves and perfect point breaks. For some really top quality surf spots head to Snapper Rocks Superbank, Burleigh Heads and Kirra.
