Want to swap the urban jungle for sandy beaches and high-octane activity? Here's how.
Is it just us, or have we all gotten very comfortable in our surroundings this year? Our friends are meeting at the same local pub every Friday, we've all grown more attached to our corner café's baristas than ever – it's times like these that you just need a big adventure to shake things up. South of Sydney lie a whole host of fun group activities to partake in – it's time to spread your wings and fly (sometimes, quite literally). Here's how to rustle up that adventurous spirit in your mates.
Thanks to Destination NSW, Tourism Australia and Klook, Time Out readers can get a 10 per cent discount on NSW activities. Simply enter 'LOVENSWKLOOK' at checkout before January 31, 2021. For even further discounts add 'LOVENSWCAR' for 10 per cent off car rentals and 'LOVENSWACCOM' for 7 per cent off accommodation. To browse more fabulous Sydney activities visit the Klook website here.
At a whopping 34.8 metres off the ground, and 247 metres long, the Illawarra Fly zip line is ideal for a bunch of adventure aficionados. If you're not ready to zip through the canopy, you can also do the treetop walk – it's all just an hour out of Wollongong.
Take in some expansive views on a 15-minute scenic flight over the sparkling blue waters of Wollongong – it's quick enough that your group can all book in one after another (each flight holds two people at a time). You'll take off from Shellharbour and get panoramic views out over Lake Illawarra before looping back over the coastline. Heaven.
If you've got a friend group that loves to seek a thrill, get some hearts pumping with a tandem skydive. For an insane 60 seconds, it's heart-in-mouth, adrenaline-pumping free fall at over 200 km/hr, before floating under a canopy for 5-7 minutes, as you take in spectacular views of Wollongong and south Sydney beaches.
You and up to ten mates could be taking in the sparkling sights of Jervis Bay in air conditioned luxury with this private car charter. Visit the pristine waters of Hyams Beach without scrimping on mod cons, these SUVs and vans are fully-equipped and perfect for stress-free group adventures.
Take the gang to Nowra for a zoo experience unlike any other. This treetop zipline and walking course takes you over the camel enclosure at Shoalhaven Zoo so you can share jokes about "hump day" as you tackle this fun physical challenge in the canopy.
Every teenage girl's favourite animal flocks in dozens down the South Coast, and you can book in for a tour to go hang out with them for an afternoon off the coast of Jervis bay – it's home to around 100 bottlenose dolphins. Spot a school if you're lucky, or even whales, seals, turtles and more.
Need to rest your head after all that activity? Rest your noggin in an off-the-grid, eco-friendly tiny house in the middle of the scenery on the South Coast, with one of these vouchers. You can make savings of up to 20 per cent on your reservation (alongside the 10 per cent discount mentioned above). They may be tiny, but some fit up to six people.
The best places are hard to find – and that's what this Jervis Bay sight-seeing cruise plans to help you out with. It'll take you to corners of the marine park which are inaccessible except by boat. Awe at the steep sea cliffs of Mount Perpendicular – it's on many a rock-climber's hitlist for a reason.
If your mates are into long, leisurely walks in nature then this walking tour day trip is for you. You'll get to take in Budderoo and Morton National Park, spot wombats in Kangaroo Valley, feel the refreshing spritz from Fitzroy Falls and marvel at the South Coast's famous blowholes.
