What do you get when you cross a passionate sporting nation with a devil may care spirit and some of the most thrilling, diverse terrain on the planet? Why, an abundance of Australian adventure activities, of course.
As 2022 dusts off the cobwebs, fires up the engine and kicks into gear, it has been suggested that Australia is finally preparing to welcome tourists once again, after one of the strictest and most prolonged lockdowns on the planet. A phased reopening is underway, and with it, many Brits will be making tentative plans to return to their favourite holiday destination down under.
After being stuck indoors for so long, with the pulse rarely raising above levels synonymous with bradycardia, a holiday to the other side of the world for some adrenaline-baiting activities sounds like just the ticket.
With such a sprawling country, you’ll have to narrow down your itinerary somewhat to get the most from your trip. As such, we’re heading to Australia’s northeast, and to Queensland, which boasts over 200 national parks, lush rainforests, incredible beaches and, of course, the Great Barrier Reef.
Get bored here, and you might just have to accept that you simply don’t have a daredevil streak! Here are 5 adventure activities to experience on your holiday to Queensland, Australia.
SHARK FEED DIVING AROUND THE OSPREY REEF
Famed for its abundant 7000 km of coastline and record breaking Great Barrier Reef, Australia is the world’s premier scuba diving destination, make no mistake.
The GBR is the largest single structure of living organisms on the planet, with the world’s biggest collection of coral reefs attracting an incredible 1500 different species of fish.
A whole 9% of the figure is composed of sharks and rays, and if you’re looking for an adventure activity in Queensland to really get the pulse racing, then rest assured; you’ll find it here in the form of shark feed diving.
The Great Barrier Reef’s Osprey reef is thought by many to be the best diving spot in the world and boasts the infamous shark feed dive at North Horn. There’s no cage to protect you here; instead, an incredible spectacle of grey and silvertip sharks getting worked up into a feeding frenzy!
SCUBA DIVE THE SS YONGALA SHIPWRECK, TOWNSVILLE
Whilst we’d love to stick around underwater for the remainder of our trip (and this article), it’s important that we come up for some air. Diving around Queensland isn’t only about sharks and shoals; just half an hour’s boat ride from shore but still part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, you’ll find one of the most intriguing, extensive shipwreck diving sites anywhere on the planet.
Close to Townsville in Queensland, the SS Yongala wreck is a result of a luxury passenger ship sinking in 1911 in the midst of a cyclone. Tragically, the event saw no survivors, but the now coral-covered wreckage remains to this day, with an incredible diversity of marine life calling the Yongala home.
Expect to see schools of barracuda, sea snakes, bull sharks, eagle rays and turtles all swimming amongst the wreckage. Watch out for ghosts; as myth and legend have it, they stalk the debris, too.
PLAY GEL BALL ON THE GOLD COAST
Akin to paintball or airsoft but with the pain factor dialled down several notches, gel ball has some similarities to paintball in that you use a weapon to fire non-lethal projectiles at an opponent during a game of strategy. However, a gel blaster is generally considered far less messy and painful than paintballs. The reason for this diminished pain is that gel balls are essentially small water-filled polymer balls that burst upon impact to another player.
But why is it particularly popular in the Sunshine State? Well, Queensland is the only remaining state in Australia where you can possess long range rifle gel blasters without a license or permit to do so.
That said, laws around the thrilling sport are still tight here, with the threat of two years imprisonment for carrying an unconcealed gel blaster in public. Accordingly, if you’re going to participate in this popular Aussie pastime, it’s best to do so at a designated Gel ball (sometimes called Gelsoft) field. Some of our favourites along the Gold Coast include Gelsoft Australia in Yatala, Guerilla Blasters in Loganholme and Nuke Town in Pimpama.
Wherever you choose to play, gel ball is a challenging, hugely enjoyable activity. Not only a wonderful way to keep fit, it also represents a great opportunity to bond with colleagues, teammates or friends.
SURFING ON THE GOLD COAST
We couldn’t come to Queensland’s Gold Coast without getting on our surfboard and riding a few waves. The coast is, after all, only the world’s 8th world surfing reserve, and whether you’re a shubie or a shredder, you’ll find a beach to suit your skill level here.
The Gold Coast boasts over 50km of beach, year-round warm, clear waters, incredible point breaks and 35 dedicated beaches that are patrolled daily for that added blanket of safety. And if that wasn’t enough, this gorgeous stretch of sand and sea is home to Surfers Paradise, a seaside resort with plenty going on, both in the waters and on dry land.
Looking beyond Surfers Paradise, for experts the renowned surfing break known as ‘The Other Side’ on South Stradbroke Island is a must visit, as well as Duranbah and Tugun Beach for superb beach breaks. For beginners, Queensland and the Gold Coast have over a dozen surf schools for you to learn the ropes (not actually a rope, but more a leash; we thought you should know).
Read: 5 adventurous things to do on a beach holiday
HIKE THE GRANITE BELT WINE TRAIL
The embodiment (or should that be em-bottle-ment?) of ‘New World’ wine in its intensely fruity, fleshy finish, Australian wine is some of our favourite in the world, old or new.
We think it’s fair to say that Australia and its wine share plenty in terms of personality; laid back, full of life and verve, open, and lacking in pretension…all in all, the ideal fit for a trip of exploration and indulgence.
Running along the border of New South Wales, Queensland’s Granite Belt Wine Trail takes in one of the state’s six recognised wine regions and its various wineries, estates and 50 cellar doors at a height of 1500 metres above sea level. The trail boasts plenty of hiking routes, should the idea of ‘wiking’ (that’s ‘wine’ and ‘hiking’ to the uninitiated) sound like your sort of thing, the benefit of doing the trail on foot, of course, being that you won’t have to designate a driver!
For more wiking holiday ideas, check out these 5 incredible wine and hiking destinations.