Is your idea of adventure being marooned on a deserted island like Picnic Island in Tasmania?

Are you up for a bit of canyon swinging? Want to throw yourself out of a perfectly good plane? Does swimming with a 12m whale shark make it on to your bucket list? Or is your idea of a thrilling experience more along the lines of an oyster farm tour or snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef?

Adventure means different things to different people. For many of us, just packing up the RV and heading off on the open road is an adventure.

But sometimes it’s nice to add a little spark to things. Here are some suggestions for the year ahead. Keep them in mind when travelling through different regions of Australia.

Fat biking and dune surfing on Kangaroo Island

SOFT ADVENTURE

Adventure doesn’t have to mean risking life and limb. Cue the “soft” adventures.

Snorkelling among some of the prettiest marine life on the Great Barrier Reef has to be on this list. But if you don’t want to get wet or are not a strong swimmer, there are other options like submersibles or underwater rooms. 

Cruises at quicksilver-cruises.com. 

Segway Sensations are a lesson in balance and bounce – and fun. Lean forward to go ahead, rest back on your heels to stop and remember to keep your knees bent.

Sounds easy, and it is. After a quick training session, the team in Adelaide guides you around the Riverbank Precinct with commentary along the way. Try wiping the smile off your face.

Once you’ve tried this once, you’ll be looking for Segway tours all over the country, even at The Rock. 

Try it out at segwaysensationsa.com.au and ulurusegwaytours.com.au

Oyster shucking: Don some waders and wander from Oyster HQ at Coffin Bay straight out to the oyster beds just offshore. Yes, you look dorky, but think of the tasty morsels at the end of your mini trek. A small ramp leads up to a platform and tables set for a seafood extravaganza. Sitting at the table, feet dangling in the water and glass of riesling in hand, an oyster farmer will offer you a glove, knife and some freshly harvested oysters. Wait for the lesson on how to pry them open, cut the muscle free from the shell, flip the oyster (because it looks better) and then shuck in!

Coffin Bay Oyster Farm Tours at oysterfarmtours.com.au

Expedition cruises

Sand surfing: Hit the slopes on Kangaroo Island – the sand slopes at Little Sahara. Hire a toboggan to sit and slide or a board if you have better balance than I do.

If bike riding is more your thing, take to the bush on a 2-hour fat bike tour. Fat wheels (and motors if you like) help you along the tracks.

If it puts you in the mood for even more action, ask about quad-biking.

Kangaroo Island Outdoor Action at kioutdooraction.com.au. 

Kite surfing: Still on the surfing theme but this time with kites and water. When the wind lifts kite surfers out of the water, they fly like birds. For the rest of the time, they seem to glide effortlessly across the waves. There are lessons to be had everywhere – including Rockingham in WA, just south of Perth.

Try Loose Kites at loosekites.com.au or WA Surf at wasurf.com.au. 

4WD tours: Buckle up for some rugged action. It’s bumpy, exciting, cackle-inducing stuff, and you’ll be so glad you’re in someone else’s vehicle.

Try these for starters: australiancoastalsafaris.com.au on SA’s Eyre Peninsula; rawnsleypark.com.au through the Flinders Ranges and greatbeachdrive4wdtours on the Gold Coast.

Camel rides in Broome

ON THE WILD SIDE

Camel rides: Tick off a few bucketlist destinations like Broome in WA or the heart of Australia and make out you are one of our early pioneers, forging a path through the Outback. Many of these are short and sweet. I signed up – and loved – an 8-day camel trek through the Flinders Ranges. There’s a bit of stamina needed for the 5.30am starts, finding the camels, saddling them and then hiking and riding 20km/day. Seriously good fun!

In WA: visitbroome.com.au

In Qld’s Scenic Rim: summerlandcamels.com.au

In Victoria’s Gippsland: visitvictoria.com

In NT: ulurucameltours.com.au

In SA: cameltreksaustralia.com.au

In NSW: visitnsw.com

Adorable alpacas: Jurassic Park – minus the predators. That’s one way to describe Softfoot Alpaca Farm – especially the feeling you get riding around the 242ha Hindmarsh Valley (SA) property in an open-air buggy. Instead of dinosaurs, though, you will get the chance to meet and feed the alpacas – up to 250 of them.

They’re adorable – a bit gangly, definitely cute and sometimes cuddly.

You’ll be surrounded by these curious, fluffy friends and learn all about their habits, the breeding program, how much they cost (one recently sold for $80,000) what they like (a good neck scratch) and don’t like (being patted on the head).

Did you know that if you put an alpaca with a flock of sheep, it will act like a guard dog? Next time you see sheep in paddock, look for the alpaca on guard.

Softfoot Alpaca Farm at softfootalpacas.com.au.

Cuddling alpacas

Lions 360 – Monarto Zoo: Talk about walking into the lions’ den. Monarto is Australia’s largest open-range zoo – 1500ha with 500 animals. But one attraction, Lions 360, will have you wondering just who is watching who? Walk through a tunnel and emerge inside the human enclosure, that’s right in the middle of the lion enclosure. Thick bars separate you from the lions so it’s safe, but you’re in their territory, and they know it. Lions walk beside you and climb on top of the cage directly above, probably thinking how delicious you look. Want to feel like you’re on an African safari? Climb into the enclosed jeep and come face to tummy with a lion lying on the windscreen. You can also pay more to feed them via some very long tongs.

While they pace and growl just a few metres away, keepers tell you all about the lions. Some of the tour costs go to conservation projects in Africa so it’s nice to know that by taking the Walk of the Brave, you are helping save lions in the wild.

monartozoo.com.au

Whales: Now for the big guns of wild adventure, whales. Seeing these behemoths breach the ocean surface is certainly an adrenalin rush, more so when the boat you are in is about the same size as the whales splashing around. There are many whale watching spots around the country from Hervey Bay and Fraser Island on the east coast to Exmouth on the WA coast. But one of the best is in Fowlers Bay on South Australia’s far west coast.

This protected patch of water sits right on the Southern Right whale migration highway and, from July to September, is where whale calves are born.

They hang out for a few months in the bay and along the Great Australian Bight before heading south to Antarctica. Australian Coastal Safaris (australiancoastalsafaris.com.au) and EP Cruises (epcruises.com.au) combine to get you there.

Walking on the wild side with lions at Monarto in SA

PINCH-ME MOMENTS

These are the dream adventures – when you can’t quite believe you’re there.

Heli-swag nights at Rawnsley Park Station in the Flinders Ranges. Skip straight past 5-star to offer a million-star experience under the Outback sky. That’s after a helicopter ride to the top of the Chace Range (where not even 4WDs can access) and a sunset dinner on a cliff-top plateau overlooking one of Australia’s most ancient landscapes.

rawnsleypark.com.au

Tackle the Horizontal Falls in the Kimberley. The fun for this trip starts with a small plane trip from Derby to floating hotel-style pontoons near the falls. The isolation and rugged landscapes are enough to get the heart pumping. Then you hop into inflatable boats and squeeze between impossibly high cliffs – over the horizontal falls. Sometimes the falls are too big to conquer, but the ride to the very edge is nail-biting stuff.

kimberleytravel.com.au

Immersed in Arnhem Land – feel that deep connection to country on an indigenous adventure like no other with Lirrwi Tours. Collect oysters for breakfast, hunt with the men, weave and forage with the women. What might possess you to fish in croc territory? The fact that you can because you’re with a family that knows when it’s safe to cross the tidal flats for giant mud crabs. There is no itinerary on these cultural adventures. You are just part of the family doing what comes naturally.

lirrwitourism.com.au

Heli-swag hiking in the Flinders Ranges

HOOKED ON ADVENTURE

Is fishing an adventure? Absolutely! Especially when you’re talking bespoke experiences. GoFish can have you fishing for a giant marlin on the Great Barrier Reef or a barramundi in Weipa, a Murray cod in Ashford NSW or a bass on the Clarence. What ever you’re angling for – boats, yachts, hotels, helicopters, jet skis, kayaks, a 4WD and private fishing guide – they can hook you up. (Sorry, not sorry for the pun.)

gofishaustralia.com.au

DEEP IMPACT

You need to take the plunge for these options.

We’ll start gently with the Cuttle Scuttle. There’s plenty of hot action in the cold waters off Whyalla and here’s a chance to channel your inner David Attenborough.

Donned in wetsuit and snorkelling gear and dipped into cold water, this is an up-close and personal look at cuttlefish breeding.

Fussy females watch for big, bold males. They come close, tentacles outstretched, gently touching each other. Then his eyes bulge and skin quivers and, with the niceties over, he sucks her head into his mouth, fertilises her eggs and releases her. She slips away to lay teardrop eggs on the underside of rocks. Then she’s back for more with another male, and another, and another.

whyalladivingservices.com.au

Dolphins: Kangaroo Island is famous for its wildlife – but not many people get to see it from the ocean. Take a cruise with Andrew Neighbour and swim with the “locals” – a pod of about 80 dolphins which hang around the protected north coast of Kangaroo Island.

Horizontal Falls

The dolphins are wild but they enjoy the good feeding grounds and love playing with visitors.

The experience is all about observation. The dolphins play alongside the boat and, if you want, you can slide off the back and swim with them. Snorkel gear, wetsuits and safety vests are provided.

kimarineadventures.com.au

Seals: Still on Kangaroo Island, take a KI Ocean Safari to get in the water with New Zealand fur seals and dolphins. The seals show off and play near the rocks and the dolphins come in close to swim underneath as you’re being pulled along behind the boat. All gear is provided.

kangarooislandoceansafari.com.au

Whale sharks: Anything that has the word “shark” in it might scare some people away but swimming with whale sharks on WA’s Ningaloo Reef is not as scary as it sounds.

Whale sharks eat plankton, not people, so you don’t need to worry.

They’re graceful and gentle and glide through the water ever so slowly.

Swimming with them is not exactly relaxing though. You have to jump in with snorkel and flippers, get out of their way – or risk being sucked into their metre-wide mouths – then paddle alongside for as long as you can keep up.

Then it’s a chaotic climb back on board the boat for another round or two. It’s worth every nerve-wracking moment to be one in 3-million people who do it.

australiascoralcoast.com

Shark diving

Sharks: if you want to up the “scare the pants off you” gauge, try shark cage diving with great whites out of Port Lincoln on SA’s Eyre Peninsula. This one deals with sharks in their natural environment - they are free to come and go as they please. And, while being in the cage is the highlight, there are also great viewing opportunities from on board.

sharkcagediving.com.au

Thrill-seekers can come face-to-fin with nine different shark species at SEA LIFE on the Sunshine Coast. Shark Dive Xtreme gives you two hours of cage-free swimming inside the aquarium’s iconic Ocean Tunnel.

sealifesunshinecoast.com.au

REACHING NEW HEIGHTS

These are slightly more heart pumping because height is involved. Climb Sydney Harbour Bridge for the ultimate view of Sydney Harbour. You’re harnessed and hooked on to the bridge so don’t need to fear falling off.

bridgeclimb.com.au

Conquer Adelaide Oval: Sports nuts will love climbing over the famous arches into the grandstand, 50m above the players. Two hours of exercise on this 1.6km loop with stories about Adelaide and famous sporting identities, plus views over the city and all the way to the beach.

If you’re really brave, you can hang out – literally – over the oval while the game is on.

roofclimb.com.au

Hot air ballooning

Want to go higher? Try hot air ballooning. Hold on to your hats ‘cause you’re in for a mild ride. Think hot air ballooning will be wild and windy? Think again. It’s one of the most serene and scenic experiences you can try.

The experience often starts at ridiculous o’clock, but it’s worth it to catch the sunrise.

Watch the balloon fill up then climb in the padded basket and you’re up, up and away.

Once up in the air, there’s no wind as you’re moving along with it.

The views are stunning. As the sun rises, the patchwork of fields, ranges on the horizon and the coast off in the distance light up in glorious pinks and gold. And the only thing breaking the silence are the “oohs” and “ahhs” of passengers spotting something new and the hot blasts of air keeping the balloon high above the lakes, trees, vineyards, farmhouses and unsuspecting cows below.

balloonadventures.com.au in the Barossa Valley, hotair.com.au in the

Gold Coast, hotairballoontasmania.com.au in Tasmania and northernterritory.com in NT.

Want to go faster? Make that Gold Coast adventure even more exciting with a helicopter ride over the coast and hinterland.

Lifting off from Marina Mirage at Main Beach, this bird’s-eye view puts the Gold Coast into perspective highlighting the extensive canal system on which all the ‘burbs are based. You fly over landmarks like Sea World, exclusive Sovereign Island, Royal Pines, NRL Stadium and Bond Uni then sweep along the coast, past all those hi-rises the GC is famous for. There’s a running commentary via headphones and a glimpse of the Hinterland – the green behind the gold.

goldcoasthelitours.com.au

KI Ocean Safari

MAROONED ON A DESERTED ISLAND

Did you know you can have a whole island to yourself? Book the lighthouse keeper’s cottage on Troubridge Island and it’s all yours. Well, you and thousands of birds nesting in the sanctuary plus a few ghosts. A 2.5-hour drive from Adelaide to Edithburgh on the Yorke Peninsula and a 12-minute boat ride and you’re there. At low tide you can explore the 9ha island. At high tide the water comes right up to the steps of the lighthouse and the heritage-listed cottage accommodation.

Troubridge Island Escape at yorkepeninsulafishingcharters@gmail.com

How about a deserted island in Tasmania, with just hundreds of penguins for company?

Picnic Island is an adventure in itself but it’s also the base for an action-packed stay. Think kayaking trips with whales or quad biking through the national park or oysters and champagne in waders.

picnicisland.com.au

BEST FOOT FORWARD

Hiking is adventure for the soul and hard (but rewarding) work for the body (if you are like me).

Picturesque, remote and challenging is how the Carnarvon Great Walk is described. I might add ‘hard yakka’ to this 87km, seven-day walk down deep gorges and along a plateau which locals call the ‘Roof of Queensland’.

But what you will see! Towering sandstone cliffs, endless tablelands, wildlife and Indigenous art sites. It will put the Capricorn Coast in a whole new light.

visitcapricorn.com.au/carnarvongreat-walk

ADRENALIN JUNKIES

For those who do thrive on white-knuckle fever, here are a few adventures that offer heart-stopping moments.

Rap jumping in Melbourne: Stepping off a roof and running down the side of a building goes against everything your mum and your brain says is a good idea.

Granted, you’re harnessed, but it doesn’t make gravity-defying rap jumping any easier.

But it is addictive. Once you trust that your hand-grip controls the speed of your descent, you won’t wipe the smile off your face. And you’ll be running down the side of that building in no time.

www.rapjumping.com

Canyoning is the most exciting  way to experience Tasmania’s Cradle Mountain. Not happy with just “seeing” Cradle Mountain and walking through the World Heritage wilderness? Launch yourself off waterfalls, abseil down cliffs and shoot through nature’s waterslides.

Canyoning ups the ante with an action-packed day of waterfall jumps and slides in the Dove Canyon or a much easier Lost World Canyon option which is open to children.

cradlemountaincanyons.com.au

Your intrepid reporter conquers Adelaide Oval then rap jumps off the side of a building

Skydiving: “It’s liberating and invigorating,” they say. “There’s nothing like it,” they say. Well they  are correct on the second count. 

There really is nothing like being sucked out of a perfectly good plane, screaming.

I swore I would never take this leap but, truth be told, I’ll do almost anything for a good story. Plummeting towards the earth from 10,000 feet is as scary as you think it’s going to be, and flapping cheeks are not a pretty sight in the video evidence. However, when the chute opens and you’re no longer falling into oblivion, you will really appreciate just how beautiful the world is.

WANT THE ADVENTURE TO LAST LONGER?

If you’d like the adventure to go on for days, here are a few tour options to think about.

Expedition cruise to Kimberleys: This is a 10-night adventure on a luxury small ship voyage – 180 guests maximum. Expert expedition team specialising in marine biology, anthropology, geology plus zodiac exploration, shore excursions, visiting ancient rock art sites, probing rivers and reefs, searching for salt water crocodiles to photograph.

Extraordinary experiences by day and French champagne at night (actually champagne whenever you like). And a world exclusive underwater lounge, 

BlueEye.au.ponant.com 

Indigenous and wild Qld: Escape to two of Australia’s most remote wilderness areas in style, rich with age-old wisdom and raw beauty. Guides connect you to the land and history.

Combines 4WD exploration and trekking, etched with indigenous culture, rare wildlife encounters and is accented with rustic luxe touches and a glimpse into life on one of Australia’s largest cattle stations.

crookedcompass.com

Bespoke fishing tours with GoFish

Category: Features
Written: Mon 01 Feb 2021
Printed: February, 2021
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