ADVENTURE

From diving with great whites to soaring high over the outback landscape, Australia has adventure-charged activities to please even the most seasoned thrill seeker.

Adventure-charged activities for thrill seekers

RAPPEL DOWN A DAM

Ranked as one of the top 10 adrenaline activities in the world, rappelling the GORDON DAM at STRATHGORDON in Tasmania’s south-west wilderness, around two-and-a-half hours’ drive from Hobart, is as impressive as it sounds: at 459 feet the dam is higher than the Sydney Harbour Bridge and represents the world’s tallest commercial rappel. aardvarkadventures.com.au/abseiling

DIVING WITH SHARKS AND CROCS

Going anywhere near great white sharks or giant saltwater crocodiles is not something that most people would even entertain the thought of, but serious adrenaline junkies can do just that.

ADVENTURE BAY CHARTERS (adventurebaycharters.com.au) will take you 43 miles off PORT LINCOLN in South Australia (it’s a 50-minute flight from Adelaide), lower you below the surface in a metal shark cage and attract the apex predators in a eco- and shark-friendly manner, with music. At Darwin’s CROCOSAURUS COVE (crocosauruscove.com), spend 15 minutes inside a transparent box that is lowered into a crocodile enclosure.

GO JET BOATING ON SYDNEY HARBOUR

Hurtling at high speed across the water, the wind whipping at your face, is sure to get the adrenaline pumping. Jet boat rides on Sydney’s famous harbor include sideways slides, fish tails, wave riding, whiplashinducing power brake stops and 270-degree spins. adrenaline.com.au/jet-boating

BEAT YOUR FEAR OF HEIGHTS

At over 885 feet above the streets below, SKYPOINT CLIMB (skypoint.com.au) is Australia’s highest external building climb atop the landmark Q1 Resort Building, which dominates the GOLD COAST skyline. And for the absolute best view of the Sydney Opera House, book a place with BRIDGECLIMB SYDNEY and head to the top of the Harbour Bridge’s famous arches. bridgeclimb.com

WALK ON THE SEA FLOOR

If you don’t have time to do a diving course or you are not a confident swimmer, you can still get below the surface of the GREAT BARRIER REEF.

Sea walking along the sand of the sea floor on the 6000-year-old coral cay of GREEN ISLAND, 16 miles off the coast of Cairns in Queensland, you will be surrounded by the plentiful fish and coral of the GREAT BARRIER REEF MARINE PARK. seawalker.com.au