Beach holidays just don’t cut it anymore. Australia’s appetite for adventure is spreading across the globe, with more travellers than ever heading Down Under to hike our rugged coastline, dive in our world-famous reefs and sail between our most beautiful islands. I’ve been lucky to do all three – multiple times – and guess the adrenaline rush really is addictive. With so many cool adventures on offer, deciding what to do can be overwhelming – so I’m here to share my top picks.
Before I dive in, let’s give Australia the credit it deserves. In Wanderlust’s 24th Reader Travel Awards, more than 200,000 passionate travellers voted our Great Southern Land as the world’s most desirable destination for adventure. Australia outranked hotspots like Costa Rica, New Zealand, Peru and the USA – and here are five epic adventures that prove why it deserves the gold.
1. Snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef
Whether you’re a pro scuba diver, a first-time snorkeller or just want to see the Great Barrier Reef without getting wet, there are plenty of ways to experience the world’s largest coral reef. I highly recommend snorkelling one of its 3,000 reefs on a day trip from Cairns, though a scenic flight over Heart Reef offers a whole new perspective.
2. Hike in the Blue Mountains
Just two hours west of Sydney, the Blue Mountains – a World Heritage-listed wilderness area spanning 11,400 square kilometres – is crisscrossed with many of Australia’s top walking trails. My top pick is the 6.3-kilometre Grand Canyon Walk, which winds past cascading waterfalls, giant ferns and moss-covered rocky overhangs that look straight out of a fairy tale. While you’re in the mountains, ride the glass-walled cable car at Scenic World, suspended 270 metres above the valley, then descend on the Scenic Railway, which chugs down a hair-raising 52-degree decline.
3. Go on a 4WD trip on K’gari
As the largest sand island on Earth, K’gari is full of adventures, both on land and in the water. My favourite way to explore the island is on a 4WD tour. Buckle up for an exhilarating ride as you bounce along sand dunes and wind through lush forests, all leading to 75 Mile Beach – the famous ‘Sand Highway’ where the real sightseeing begins. From historic shipwrecks and rainforest valleys to perched lakes, a new adventure awaits around every corner.
4. Campervan around Kangaroo Island
Known as a zoo without fences, Kangaroo Island is a wildlife and nature lover’s paradise, overflowing with outdoor adventures. To explore the island’s most remote and remarkable corners, you’ll need a car. I recommend renting a campervan and taking it across on the 45-minute ferry journey from Cape Jervis. With your own wheels, you can cruise around the island on your own time (or should we say, island time), stopping and sleeping wherever your heart desires. PS: Yes, there are kangaroos on the island – along with koalas, dolphins, sea lions and penguins – and plenty of opportunities for up-close encounters in the wild.
5. Cage dive with crocodiles in Darwin
I’ll admit, I haven’t quite mustered the courage for this one yet – but it’s on the bucket list. Crocosaurus Cove in the Northern Territory is home to the infamous Cage of Death, Australia's only crocodile dive. Those brave enough to take the plunge will spend 15 minutes submerged with the ultimate apex predator lurking only metres away. If that’s a little too adventurous, you can opt to feed baby crocodiles and watch daily reptile shows instead.
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