Adventure Sports in Australia
Bungy Jump in Cairns, Skydive in Sydney, Canyoning & Rafting
Whether it's taking on the Franklin River in Tasmania or the Blue Mountains World Heritage Area in New South Wales, there's an adrenalin rush Down Under.
Australia is a bit of a haven for those who love the great outdoors – and, in particular, those who like an adrenalin rush in the great outdoors. Options for adventure sports in Australia include a bungy jump in Cairns, a skydive in Sydney or canyoning in the Blue Mountains and white-water rafting on the Franklin River in Tasmania.
Adventure Sports in Australia: Bungy Jump in Cairns, Tropical North Queensland
Australia’s main bungy jumping site is at Smithfield, 15km north of Cairns, Tropical North Queensland. It’s in a beautiful rainforest setting (not that those quivering high up on the 50m high platform will be paying too much attention to the trees) and jumpers get to plunge into a pool. The AJ Hackett Bungy Tower is not for the faint-hearted, though – it takes real nerve to take that jump off with only an elasticated rope as a saviour. It’s worth booking ahead if you plan to bungy jump in Cairns, although it is possible to just turn up at the AJ Hackett Bungy Tower on the day.
Adventure Sports in Australia: Skydive in Sydney, New South Wales
For those who wish to skydive in Sydney, two companies offer tandem skydives in the Sydney region – Simply Skydive and Sydney Skydivers. Simply Skydive’s dropzone is the closest to the city, at Penrith Lakes, and those plummeting from 14,000 feet get a fabulous view of both the city and the Blue Mountains on the horizon. Sydney Skydivers has Sydney’s only self-contained skydiving centre (ie. Thrill-seekers take off and land at the same place). Photographs and DVDs of the jump are available from both companies.
Adventure Sports in Australia: Canyoning in the Blue Mountains, New South Wales
River Deep Mountain High and the Blue Mountains Adventure Centre are two of the companies that organises trips to go canyoning in the Blue Mountains, New South Wales. A couple of hours west of central Sydney, the Blue Mountains area is World Heritage listed, and the canyoning trips go into the Wollemi Wilderness area. Some trips are more difficult than others, with the introductory canyoning trips generally involving scrambling along by the river, while the advanced canyoning trips require abseiling ability.
Adventure Sports in Australia: White-Water Rafting in on the Franklin River, Tasmania
The Franklin River in Tasmania is seriously fast-flowing, with plenty of rapids and unnerving drops. It’s true grade five territory, which makes Rafting Tasmania’s 5, 7 and 10 day white-water rafting expeditions down the Franklin River a particularly daunting challenge. Those wanting something a little gentler can try day trips on the Derwent and Picton Rivers, also in Tasmania.
