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If you like a bit of adventure on your holiday then Australia is one of the best places in the world to find it. Australia’s dramatic outback, wilderness areas, mountain ranges and waterways combine to make it a unique destination with an exciting edge.

You could start in Sydney by scaling the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge. You have the choice of three exhilarating tours with Bridge Climb. The original Bridge Climb takes you along catwalks, up ladders, and up to the bridge’s summit. There are panoramic views across the city, the harbour and to the Sydney Opera House. The Discovery Climb takes you inside the Bridge’s structural ironwork on your journey to the summit and the Express Climb is the newest climbing adventure and the fastest way to the top of the Bridge.

Next you could try zipping around the beautiful harbour at full throttle, before a sideward slide and a powerbreak stop on a jet-boat with either Ozjetboating, Harbour Jet and Thunder Jet Boating.

Another awesome experience is diving with huge grey nurse sharks, giant stingrays, sea turtles, wobbegong sharks, and moray eels at Oceanworld Manly. 

One of the most visited areas on Sydney’s fringe is the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains National Park. Plenty of tour operators make their way here to show visitors the awe-inspiring canyons, thick rainforest, and plunging waterfalls that make this place so special. However, if you have an adventurous spirit and like the idea of being truly immersed in the environment.

Aboriginal Blue Mountains Walkabout offers a thought-provoking journey of discovery through the national park. Along the way your Aboriginal guide will show you ancient art and ceremonial sites, and recount dreamtime stories. Then there’s ochre bark and body painting, bush tucker tasting, wildlife spotting, and the chance to bathe in a crystal clear billabong.

There are many ways to experience a country, but among the most adventurous is by hiring a motorbike and taking to the road. Several companies rent bikes, among them Motorcycle Holidays Australia. 

Hop aboard a Harley Davidson Softail Heritage, or a BMW, and head off from Coffs Harbour on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales to explore local rainforests and unspoilt beaches. Or you could take a self-guided tour through the Outback to Uluru, or even head north to the Great Barrier Reef.

To see Melbourne from a different perspective try running down the side of the building in a forward facing abseiling technique. It’s called ‘rap jumping’ and you can do it at Urban Central.
 
Otherwise, head to Phillip Island for an adrenaline spin around the Grand Prix Circuit in a high performance rally car. Phillip Island is the home of the World Superbike Grand Prix. Phillip Island is also the most famous place in Australia to see fairy penguins in the wild.

The island state of Tasmania is known for its wilderness. Roaring 40°s Ocean Kayaking allows you to experience this inspiring, pristine place from a two-person kayak. Its new three-day Wilderness on Water experience offers a unique journey to Tasmania’s remote south-west tip, at the centre of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.

One of the world’s greatest adventures is rafting the untamed waters of the Franklin River. This World Heritage-listed waterway carves its way through rugged and inaccessible rainforest wilderness.

Platypus, wallabies, and marsupial cat-like creatures called quolls are plentiful here. Several companies offer multi-day trips that are sure to create a transformation in the way you see the world.

Head to South Australia for some outback touring that will leave shaking your head at the immensity of the open plains, the huge blue skies, and the unique wildlife. You can explore it yourself in a four-wheel-drive vehicle. Otherwise, plenty of tour operators offer trips out of Adelaide.

A highlight is Lake Eyre, which was in flood in 2009. When there is water in the lake tens of thousands of waterfowl, including pelicans, arrive to breed and feed before the water evaporates and the lake reverts to a vast saltpan.

In Western Australia you can find the Kimberley region, a massive area of rugged red ranges, cooling water holes, and remote coastline recently immortalised in Baz Luhrmann’s epic movie ‘Australia’. A self-drive adventure along the famous Gibb River Road takes you through breath-taking landscape layered with Aboriginal spirituality.

In the Kimberley you can also explore ancient rock art and cave paintings, including the world-famous Bradshaw paintings. These are believed to be up to 50,000 years old.

Another self-drive adventure option is the Golden Quest Discovery Trail. This takes you through some of West Australia’s outback gold-producing areas. Running from Coolgardie to Laverton, the trail takes in historical mining towns, legendary country pubs, the fascinating Gwalia ghost town, and remote salt lakes.

In Queensland, the ‘Reef to Outback Journey’ links two of Australia’s most iconic natural attractions – the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef with the magnificent Queensland outback.

Start off by exploring the coral gardens of Lady Elliot or Heron Islands. Visit Mon Repos Conservation Park to see the largest turtle rockery in the Southern Hemisphere. Then make your way to Queensland’s outback for a spot of bush camping in one of the region’s 42 National Parks.

Along the way you can expect to see some of the finest Aboriginal rock art in Australia, plenty of kangaroos and koalas, and you can immerse yourself in real ‘Aussie’ outback towns.

Author: Marc Llewellyn on behalf of Tourism Australia. This article is copyright free and may be reproduced.