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8 Exciting Outdoor Adventures All Thrill-Seekers Have To Try In Australia

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Cheng Sim •  Sep 09, 2016

Between the crashing waves of Bells Beach and the chirping tropical rainforest of Daintree, there’s a plethora of outdoor adventures lurking around the corner. If you’re ready to re-energise your soul and rejuvenate your rebellious side, Australia is the destination to go to feel alive once again.

Credit: Giphy

1. Pick Up Surfing and Ride the Waves

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The cerulean waters of Bells Beach await

Credit: Victoria

#HHWT Tip: The best months for surfing are from December till April (beginning of summer till the middle of autumn season)

Address: Noosa Heads, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

Admission: Free

2. Experience a Dive in Australia’s Famous Snorkelling Paradises

Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus) swimming Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia

Credit: Sea Breeze Resort

Give yourself a fresh perspective of the world we live in by exploring the cerulean landscape of Ningaloo Reef and the Great Barrier Reef. These two snorkelling paradises are scattered with a party of colourful corals, exotic fishes as well as friendly manta rays and turtles. Ningaloo Reef is a marine destination that is famous for whale shark sightings (April to July) while Great Barrier Reef is widely frequented for coral gardens and tropical fishes (June to December).

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Admire the colourful corals at the Great Barrier Reef

Credit: alterra

Address: Ningaloo Marine Park, Exmouth, Western Australia, Australia.

Admission: Free (marine park entry); depending on tour rates (snorkeling)

Website: https://parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/park/ningaloo

Opening hours: Mon - Fri, 8:00am - 5:00am

3. Take A Leap of Faith with Tandem Skydiving

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Take a leap with tandem skydiving

Credit: Reef Experience

Outdoor adventures are seemingly incomplete without the mention of skydiving. It may induce fear in most, but for the brave few, it is a life changing experience they wouldn’t trade for anything else. If you’re curious to try this exhilarating activity, take the first step by signing up for tandem skydiving where you’ll be strapped onto a professional skydiver. The best spots to free fall from 14,000 feet are New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia.

Address: Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia.

Admission: Depending on skydiving package rates (starting from AUD$259 per person)

Website: http://www.skydive.com.au/

4. Appreciate the Wonders of Australian Nature through Day Hiking

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Explore the Kings Canyon with a day hike

Credit: Travel With Riley

Better than a walk in the park is a day hike at Kings Canyon and Great Ocean Walk. While Kings Canyon offers a landscape of sandstone domes and weathered rocks within the Watarrka National Park, the Great Ocean Walk presents a beautiful trail of breezy cliff-tops and rocky seashores. When the weather is bright and sunny, head over to these natural gems with your loved ones and embrace the sceneries that is best appreciated in person than from a desktop wallpaper.

Address: Kings Canyon, Watarrka National Park, Petermann, Northern Territory, Australia.

Admission: Free

Website: https://nt.gov.au/leisure/parks-reserves/find-a-park-to-visit/watarrka-national-park

Opening hours: All year round

5. Experience the Scenic Cycling Trails of Victoria

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The gush of waterfall at the Blue Mountains

Credit: Visit Blue Mountains

For an adventure in the wild, hit the road and take the two-hour train or car ride to the Blue Mountains in New South Wales. Perched within the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, the sweeping greenery is sprinkled with crashing waterfalls, jagged rock formations and lush forests. Mountain biking, camping and rock climbing are popular ways to embrace this nature splendour, but there's nothing like abseiling to greater heights for a panoramic view. Follow any abseiling tour groups and pace yourself safely as you climb the canyon walls of Blue Mountains.

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Go abseiling on the weathered walls of Blue Mountains

Credit: Baz - The Landy

Address: Blue Mountains, New South Wales, Australia.

Admission: AUD$8 per vehicle (daily park entry) and abseiling package rates (Starting from AUD$230 per person)

Website: http://bmac.com.au

Opening hours: All year round

7. Spend the Night in an Australian Outback

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Bid goodnight to nature at Nightfall in Lamington National Park

Credit: Nightfall Camp

Skip the swanky hotel stays and spend the night glamping in the Australian outback. Thanks to the increase of eco travellers, the glamping trend is taken to new heights on this side of the world. Consider cozying up at the Nightfall in Lamington National Park where individual safari tents are furnished with timber floors, hand-carved stone basins, rain-head showers and organic bedding. Equally amazing is the Karjini Eco Retreat where eco-friendly tents come with cotton-rich beddings, private ensuite bathrooms and scenic decks – and yes, you will find this retreat at the Karjini National Park.

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Experience a night at the Australian outback at Karijini Eco Retreat

Credit: Karinji Eco Retreat

Address: Nightfall at Lamington National Park, Binna Burra, Queensland, Australia

Rates: Starting from AUD$795 per night per couple

Website: http://www.nightfall.com.au/

8. Fire Up your Engines for a Wild Four Wheel Drive

Credit: jannekepri on Instagram

Some travelers imagine their road trips with winding roads and a wanderlust mixtape on, but here in Australia, the 4WD (four-wheel drive) adventure on the Gibb River Road is one of the better options for a quick adrenaline boost. Skills and experience aren't required to navigate your way through 'The Gibb'. Fire up your engines and follow the 660-kilometre track that begins from Derby on the west coast to Kununurra on Western Australia's eastern border. Along the way, you will be able to catch sightings of freshwater crocodiles in the Windjana Gorge National Park, go horse trekking through the Questro Wilderness Park and admire the Instagram-favourite Wandjina rock art.

#HHWT Tip: The best time for a drive is from May to October.

Address: The Gibb River Road, Gibb, Western Australia, Australia.

Admission: Various rates (different park entry applies); 4WD rental (starting from AUD$2,000 for one way)

Website: http://www.australia.com/en/itineraries/wa-gibb-river-rd.html

If taking a bite out of the Australian adventure is part of your bucket list, this continent will never disappoint. With surfing, snorkeling, skydiving and other adrenaline experiences rolled into one, there is always an exploration out there that is waiting for you.