From surfing in Byron Bay and climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge, to golfing in exotic Tasmania, Australia offers an array of outdoor activities for sports fans and adrenaline buffs.
Climb the Harbour Bridge with BridgeClimb
Sydney, New South Wales
If you have a head for heights, BridgeClimb is one of Sydney's best activities, taking you up over the arch of the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge. You start the three-and-a-half-hour experience by donning special bridge suits and climbing an indoor practice gantry before heading out onto the vast steel structure of the bridge itself. The climb is relatively easy, a combination of ladders and steps ascending to the summit (more than 1,000 feet above the water) and 360-degree views of the city skyline and dazzling harbor. There are day and night climbs, plus a Discovery Climb which takes you into the heart of the bridge as well as to the summit.
$162 adults, $98 children.
5 Cumberland Street, The Rocks | Sydney, NSW 2000 Australia
Championship Golf with Sydney Seaplanes
Rose Bay, New South Wales
This is a fabulous day out for golfers—a scenic seaplane flight from Sydney Harbour to the beautiful wine lands of the Hunter Valley and 18 holes on one of two championship courses. The seaplane departs from Rose Bay at 10 a.m. and flies over Sydney's Northern Beaches and Central Coast before landing at Cessnock Airport 30 minutes later. You'll transfer to either the Vintage—a Greg Norman-designed course—or the beautiful and equally challenging Cypress Lakes, and enjoy lunch at the start or end of your round. The seaplane will return you to Sydney by 4 p.m.
$649 per person, including flights, transfers, course fees and club hire.
1 Vickery Avenue | Rose Bay, NSW 2029 Australia
Harley Davidson Tours at Ayers Rock
Ayers Rock Resort, Northern Territory
Play Easy Rider on a Harley Davidson tour around one of Australia's most iconic sights. Uluru Motorcycle Tours offers exhilarating rides around the base of Ayers Rock (Uluru) at sunrise or sunset—the prime viewing times—or out to The Olgas, an ancient and dramatic rock formation about 17 miles west of Uluru. Each tour starts at Ayers Rock Resort where you'll strap on regulation safety helmets (with earphones so you can listen to an entertaining commentary) and ride pillion on a late model Heritage Softail Harley. Tours run year-round, best time is August to December.
$136 per person.
Yulara Drive | Yulara, NT 0872 Australia
Barnbougle Dunes Golf in Tasmania
Bridport, Tasmania
In true Aussie style, this outstanding public golf course is located right next to a glorious beach and surrounded by wind-swept sand dunes, making it a challenging yet breathtaking golfing experience. Located at Bridport, about an hour's drive from Launceston on the wild north east coast of Tasmania, Barnbougle Dunes offers sensational golf without any of the pomp and ceremony of private or semi-private courses. The 4th fairway has uninterrupted views of the moody Bass Strait—absolutely majestic on a clear sunny day—and the rest of the course is also memorable. Finding this isolated spot is half the challenge, but it's well worth the effort. Green fees are $88 for 18 holes, $110 for an all-day pass.
Barnbougle Dunes, 425 Waterhouse Road | Bridport, Tasmania 7262 Australia
Byron Bay Surf School
Byron Bay, New South Wales
The instructors at Australia's Byron Bay Surf School know that picking up a board for the first (or second or third) time can be an intimidating and nerve-wracking experience. Their philosophy is to make sure you learn on waves perfectly suited to your ability, and the varied surf conditions at Byron Bay—the most easterly point in Australia, about 2.5 hours' drive south of Brisbane—create the ideal training ground. Take a two-hour private or group lesson with one of the passionate and dedicated instructors, who'll not only teach you the basics but the art (and science) of wave selection and reading currents, so you'll be more comfortable and confident when you decide to venture out on your own. Accommodation is not provided by the school but there are plenty of upscale choices in Byron Bay from private and self-contained beach houses to top-notch hotels and resorts—we recommend Byron at
Byron Resort & Spa or the fabulous
Rae's on Wategos. If you want to get the most out of the surf school, multi-day courses are available.
Two-hour private lessons from $120 (not including equipment rentals).
127 Jonson Street | Byron Bay, NSW 2481 Australia
HOT AIR Balloon Rides
Queensland
HOT AIR Balloon Rides will point you in the direction of the best balloon rides that Queensland has to offer. They operate flights from Cairns, Port Douglas and the Gold Coast, so there is a range of different landscapes to fly over, from white sandy beaches to the rainforest. The outfitter also offers specially themed outings, with balloon rides combined with other activities to help you get the most out of your trip. If you're feeling really brave, why not follow your early morning balloon ride over the tropical Atherton Tablelands with a tandem skydive and then head down to the Barron River for an afternoon of white water rafting. If that sounds like too much hair-raising activity for you, however, you might prefer the Luxury Hot Air Balloon Ride—you'll be taken to the balloon in a limousine and once you've touched down again, you'll be whisked away to enjoy a three-course gourmet breakfast on the beach.
From $150 per passenger.
PO Box 5115 | Cairns, Queensland Australia
Balloon Aloft Australia
Sydney, Hunter Valley, Canberra and the Gold Coast
Balloon Aloft has branches in Sydney, Hunter Valley, Canberra and the Gold Coast, and they've been flying balloons for 27 years, so you'll definitely be in dependable hands with them. Each of their locations offers a very different experience—from the beautiful beaches of the Gold Coast to the iconic majesty of Sydney Harbor—but wherever you are, you will certainly have plenty of impressive views and a fabulous time. Complimentary champagne or orange juice is offered on all flights, and breakfast is included if you choose the Gold Coast trip (although you can request in advance for breakfast on any of the flights).
Prices vary by location and package, starting weekend price from $258 per adult passenger.
Australia
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