MELBOURNE – TRAVEL – Unlike most countries, Australia has more than its fair share of exciting adventures to enjoy. Home to awesome sights like Sydney Harbour, the ‘outback’, Uluru, Sydney Opera House, the Blue Mountains, Bondi beach, and Fraser Island, Australia is a dream destination for any visitor.
Melbourne is the second-largest city in the country and plays host to thousands of tourists, who come to explore its cultural offerings and sports events year round. The city boasts striking tourist attractions, such as Federation Square, Royal Botanic Gardens, Yarra River Cruise, and the Eureka Tower, amongst many others.
If you’re looking for some adrenaline-pumping activities in Australia, Melbourne has more than enough to quench your thirst. So, without further ado, here are 10 daunting adventures you can try in Melbourne:
- Trees Adventure
Located within the Dandenong Ranges, Trees Adventure (in Belgrave, Melbourne) is Victoria’s first eco-adventure attraction. It provides the best tree ropes and zip lining experience anywhere in Australia. It has six parks nationwide, offering challenging obstacle courses high up in the tree canopy. The ranges feature rare and uncommon trees, including a 150-year-old Algerian Oak, from which the seven long and two short courses branch out. If you’re looking for the best place to take your family to for a truly exciting adventure, Trees Adventure is the perfect place.
- Werribee Open Range Zoo Trip
This African-themed zoo is located 20 miles west of Melbourne. Along with Healesville Sanctuary and Melbourne Zoo, Werribeeis part of Zoos Victoria. It features a mock African and also offers a brief course on the origin of the animals and the extinction threats they face. The trip provides a true African adventure, with rhinos, giraffes, zebras, and other wild animals in their open-range habitat. This is perfect if you appreciate wildlife and hanker for a taste of Africa.
- Penguin Parade
The famous Penguin Parade at Philips Island Nature Park is the only tourism site where you can find penguins in their natural habitat. One of the biggest penguin colonies in Australia, the Parade offers the thrill of watching little penguins returning home at sunset. It is the perfect adventure for people who love wildlife and are looking to have less strenuous fun. With multiple viewing options like the general viewing bleachers and tiered seating, the parade is a sight to behold. Besides the Penguin Parade, Phillip Park also features a Koala Conservation Centre, Heritage Farm, as well as various other recreational areas.
- Shark Diving
A face to face encounter with a Great White Shark – one of the most feared creatures of the sea – is perhaps the biggest adrenaline rush Melbourne has to offer. Melbourne’s 2.2 million-litre oceanariumprovides an under-water experience you won’t forget in a hurry. The half-day guided-tour features a pre-dive course for non-divers and brings you face to face with Grey Nurse sharks, Giant Stingrays and schools of exotic fish. The experience is a great gift for friends and family alike.
- Skydiving
Tandem skydiving is one of the best adventures Melbourne has to offer and will certainly blow your mind. The 15,000 ft leap of faith provides an awesome view of the city, whilst offering a sense of elation and a huge rush of adrenaline that makes for a truly exciting adventure. This activity also offers a psychological boost, as it eases your fears once you take the plunge over St Kilda beach. Skydiving is ideal if you need an exciting adventure to let off steam at any point.
- Hot Air Balloon Ride
A hot air balloon ride around the city is an exciting adventure, which requires less physical activity. It is perfect for fun-seeking first-time visitors to Melbourne. Flying over famous Melbourne attractions like the Shrine of Remembrance, the iconic Yarra River, as well as the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the ride offers impressive views of the whole city and beyond. If you plan on moving to Australia with your family, an early morning hot air balloon ride is one of the best ways to view the city. The uplifting experience starts at dawn and usually features a buffet breakfast to conclude the ride.
- Rap Jumping
This highly advanced freestyle rope experience down a seven-storey building is much like bungee jumping, except it has the control of abseiling and utilizes the forward SRT Aussie Rappel. The speed of this thrilling adventure is totally under your control (with a backup brake person in tow) and leaves you feeling like a member of the armed forces afterwards. To increase the thrill, you can take the jump in the dark. This activity also provides a definite psychological boost.
- Stunt Driving
Ever thought of trying explosive driving stunts, just like your favourite movie star? Melbourne can offer you this and more. With several stunt schools and courses such as samurai sword-wielding, martial arts training and self-defence for women, this adventure leaves you feeling invincible. You’ll get to slide, spin and jump mini coopers, with certificates awarded after completing the adventure. You can also try the 6-lap Rally Drive with a professional instructor for an awesome driving experience.
- Swimming with Dolphins
This is one of the numerous life-changing adventures you can experience in Australia. Melbourne gives you a chance to get close to these dolphins in their natural habitat, as well as play with them and observe their remarkable features at Port Phillip Bay. This strictly-regulated adventure is suitable for first-time swimmers and people of all ages and sizes. You can also splash around with Melbourne’s fur seals at Chinaman’s Hat.
- Kayaking and Jet Boat Riding
There’s no better way to tour Melbourne’s white waters and coastlines than by kayak. From the serene kayak paddle to the high-speed thrills of powerful jet boat rides, Melbourne has enough open water adventures to keep you busy. You can also check out the half-day white water rafting experience, as well as the Yarra river ‘ Messing around in a boat’ adventure. You could even try a gondola cruise if you’re looking for a honeymoon thrill or just a quiet romantic trip with your partner.