‘You’re not living, if you’re not on the edge’ is a quote many adrenaline junkies live life by. I guess it’s a case of how close is that edge? There’s plenty on offer in Queensland for those with an adventurous spirit. So why scare yourself to death? Maybe it’s to cure a phobia or maybe it’s an addiction that simply needs regular fulfilment. Here are our top 10 adrenaline rush experiences around Queensland.
Water
1-Heli-rafting
Rated in the top 10 wilderness adventures in the world and as Australia’s most famous rafting adventure, heli-rafting is adventure on steroids.
There’s only one way to reach the start and that’s by a helicopter ride through the pristine North Johnstone River Valley. From the helicopter you are transferred to your raft to negotiate gigantic grade five rapids on this adrenalin pumping four day adventure through the breathtaking scenery of one of north Queensland’s best World Heritage-listed rainforests. There are departures from Cairns, northern beaches and Mission Beach.
Photo Credit: RnR White-Water Rafting
2-Xtreme Tully Rafting
Hang on for a white-knuckle ride on the Tully River, one of the best rafting rivers in the Southern Hemisphere. Set in spectacular surroundings, the rapids are graded 3-4 on the international ranking and are the longest trips on the Tully River.
All rafters taking the Xtreme challenge must be confident swimmers and have good English skills. Group sizes are small and rafters are accompanied by experienced senior guides.
There are departures from Cairns and Mission Beach.
Photo Credit: Tourism Queensland
3-Dive with Sharks
Get acquainted, or for some re-acquainted, with the block buster movie, Jaws, when you sink into the tank at Mooloolaba’s UnderWater World Aquarium on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.
Come face to face with sharks – yes there’s more than one! Stare in the eyes of grey nurse sharks, leopard sharks, white tip reef sharks, shovel nosed and whaler sharks.
You’ll also be joining black bullrays, coachwhip rays, giant gropers, spangled red emperors, wobbegongs and over 30 other species from the deep.
Land
4-V8 Supercars
Strap in and experience the ride of your life during a blood pumping high speed ride in a V8 race car driven by a professional racing car driver. And if the ride isn’t enough, you can head to the V8 Super School and get behind the wheel yourself. Located at Norwell near Dreamworld on the Gold Coast.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Holden – The Driving Centre, 2008.
5-Climb Mt French – Frogs Buttress
Frogs Buttress, a side of Mt French is acclaimed to be one of the premier crack climbing crags in Australia. Requiring a specialised technique known as ‘jamming’ to succeed to the summit, it draws climbers from around the world.
Situated within the Scenic Rim in south east Queensland, around an hour’s drive south-west of Brisbane, Mt French is one of the many ancient volcanic peaks within the Moogerah Peaks National Park. Allow 6 hours plus to complete the climb and prior experience is essential – this is not for the first time climber.
Photo Credit: Scott Warner
6-A Drive to ‘The Tip’
Cape York is recognised as one of the few last Australian 4WD frontiers. This is an area sparsely populated, wild and beautiful. Dusty, rutted tracks lead to spectacular waterfalls, ancient Aboriginal sacred rock paintings, amazing wildlife and fantastic fishing.
This is also salt water croc country, so please be croc wise. Best to travel during the dry season from April to October. Your vehicle should be mechanically sound and you need to be an experienced four wheel driver. Tour options are available.
7-Sand tobogganing
For those with the younger adrenaline junkies in tow, consider taking a grand sand adventure down the 80m sand hills on Moreton Island. Speeds up to 50km per hour have been clocked on these golden sandy slopes – its free and a blast!
Moreton Island is 40km offshore from Brisbane. Barges and ferries run for passengers and vehicles daily.
Photo Credit: Barry Goodwin
Air
8-Minjin
Ever heard of a mean devil? Meet the Minjin, a huge 45m swing (see main photo) that reaches speeds of 120kph and can take up to three people! There’s little doubt this one will have your heart racing and thumping through your chest.
Situated in a World Heritage-listed rainforest outside Cairns in far north Queensland, the Minjin is on the same site as the world’s first purpose built tower for bungy jumping and the only bungy operation on the planet. It’s the world’s fastest jungle swing – perfect for adrenalin addicts and those that thrive a genuine thrill.
9-Skydive To the Beach
Take the plunge jumping out of a perfectly good plane over two of Queensland’s best beaches: Mission Beach, approximately half way between Cairns and Townsville and Suttons Beach north of Brisbane.
Skydive To the Beach offers a variety of fall heights where you free fall for up to 60 seconds at speeds in excess of 200kph. Each has spectacular views along sweeping sandy beaches and rainforest.
You need to be fit, weigh less than 100kgs and be at least 14 years old (persons under 18 require a parent/guardian’s authorisation). 24 hours must have elapsed since any deep water dive.
10-Soar on the thermals
Fly like an eagle experiencing the thrill of flight. The best hang gliding in Queensland is from Tamborine Mountain and Rainbow Beach – each around an hour’s drive from Brisbane – and far north Queensland.
At above 500m from sea level Tamborine Mountain forms the northernmost point of the great Mount Warning shield volcano and the biggest erosion caldera in the southern hemisphere. Rainbow Beach is located on the Fraser Coast north of Noosa Heads.
Photo Credit: Barry Goodwin
Discover Queensland
For more ideas on what to see and do in Queensland go to www.queensland.com
The post 10 adrenaline rush adventures in Queensland appeared first on Travel2Next.