11 Amazing Experiences To Add To Your Bucket List in Australia
Australia is a dreamland when it comes to bucket list experiences. It’s an enormous country with numerous different landscapes, activities, many things that I would say it’s good enough for multiple trips and and great memories for every taste. If you’re such an adventurer, backpacker, wild-life enthusiast, surfer, or explorer, then my Australian bucket list experience is perfect for you.
1. Great Ocean Road – Road tripping
It is beyond amazing, experience one of the world’s most scenic coastal drives!
Imagine yourself driving all the way on the road that will allow you to witness the towering 12 Apostles, iconic surf breaks and misty waterfalls, London bridges, native Koalas wildlife at the Tower Hill, explore surf towns, seaside villages, and many more.
Not only sightseeing, you’ll get to taste, you will also be able to experience a variety of things such as outdoor activities; surfing, scuba diving, sea kayaking, arts, cultural, and heritage attractions. It’s one of the coastline roads I truly admire, something I cannot afford to forget. It’ll be a tale to tell.
2. Sydney Harbour Bridge
It is a unique experience. It’s one of the most famous and popular attractions in Australia. It has a full view of the city of Sydney and the Opera House. Although, be aware that It’s one of the most expensive activities in Sydney. It will ccost you between $128 – $353 (http://www.bridgeclimb.com/
I fully agree that it’s expensive. My jaw definitely dropped when I learned how expensive it was. They have reasons for making it so expensive. The volume of staff, their level of training, and the safety equipment required to make it a premium, 3.5 hour experience
In my opinion, it is a unique experience, not something you can really do anywhere in the world. There are some bridge activities in the world, but not as famous as theirs. If it doesn’t fit your budget, then I’d recommend you not to take it. If you can afford it, then what is stopping you?
Sometimes memories are worth a lot more than the money. What I learned about my journey is, you shouldn’t let your money control what you really want. You’re the master, not your money. If this is what you want, go for it. It could be once in a lifetime opportunity, who knows! You’re there to experience everything before you leave, so yeah you have my word that it’s worth your money to experience.
3. Eagle Rock Adventures – Empress Canyoning
Empress canyon is an impressive canyon in the Valley of the Waters Creek, Blue Mountains, Australia. It’s easily labeled as one of the most popular canyons in the Blue Mountains due to several reasons; easy access, sustained constructions, and a quite good number of jumps and swims.
What amazed me the most is, the canyon is so narrow that we’re able to perform some awesome parkour on the rock! There are several tricky climb downs and an optional jump. It was fun jumping several times. I swam through the canyon, it was around 10 meters. II surely felt like I was back in the Dinosaurs era.
By the way, the extreme challenge you’ll be facing is a spectacular 30M abseil down a large waterfall into a pool in front of the tourists! That’s the BOSS.
By the way, it usually takes 3-4 hours to complete the tour. It wasn’t that long for us.
4. Quad Bike King ATVs
Riding across amazing sand dunes that are located in Stockton Beach, New Castle NSW, Australia.
It is the perfect spot where you can enjoy watching beautiful sand dunes, catching glimpses of the ocean, bushland and Newcastle. You will come across the Sygna Shipwreck, a Norwegian freighter that lost its battle with the 1974 cyclone that hit the Newcastle coast line producing 17 meter high waves and winds up to 160km. You’ll find it beautiful to share the story of seeing it with your loved ones.
For our experiences, I’m aware that the most of you readers probably already rode an ATV before. Seriously,nothing can beat this feeling after riding across sand dune with a leader who rarely slows down. Yes our leader was driving so fast that we felt like there is no limit in speed. That’s what makes everything so exciting! Today, I have to admit that my father drives much faster than I drive. I guess I’ll find a way to beat him someday.
5. Jetpack – Jetpack Adventures / 1800jetpack
There are types of water jetpack/hoverboard attached to a personal water craft that generates propulsion to drive the Flyboard through air and water to perform some tricks.
Father and I agreed that it would be fun trying our first-time experience with two types; flyboard and jetpack. To us, it’s something on our own bucket list that we definitely wanted to check off.
Jetpack Adventures / 1800jetpack is the company we found and they were delighted to learn that my father wanted to give it a try! They kindly let my father knows that flyboard water jet pack easily transforms him into a dolphin, even an ironman!
I learned that I can hover or go backwards and turn on a dime. Why not? I gave em a try couple times. It didn’t hurt me at all. I didn’t really control it well. I didn’t execute some tricks perfectly. Well, I have to admit it was hard, yet I managed to fly in the air around 7 meters! That isn’t bad at all! I liked it.
The flyboard is much easier to control so you better stick with flyboard if you’re planning to try it somedays.
6. Australia Zoo
Steve and Terri Irwin’s vision has always been to make Australia Zoo the biggest and best wildlife conservation facility in the entire world!
With over 1,000 native and exotic species that can’t wait to get up close and personal to you! It’s true! I had some spectacular animal enclosures!
Australia Zoo is located on the beautiful Sunshine Coast, Queensland. Australia honored him by naming the highway after his name – “Steve Irwin Way”
My grandfather, father, and I explored through their gorgeous wildlife; from Australia’s cuddly koalas, waddling wombats, slithering snakes and petting cute kangaroos. It was full of exciting wildlife to see for us.
What made it epic is that we witnessed a crocodile launch its strike from the water’s edge! We didn’t know that you can pay to see some animal up close and personal; like cheetahs, ripper rhinos, asian elephants, many more.
7. Whitesunday Cruise
Whitehaven Beach is classified as one of the top five beaches in the world!!
Whitehaven beach is a definite ‘must see’ in Australia. Locals have stated that it’s so crystal clear waters, full of white sand, and stretches for over 7 kilometers along Whitsunday island. It has been repeatedly voted one of the best beaches in the world.
The fine sand particles are also great for polishing jewelry (not so great for cameras though!) Even Geologists cannot be sure where the Silica sand on Whitehaven Beach comes from although there are several unproven theories. One theory even includes a sunken volcano.
“Whitehaven, Hill Inlet & Lookout full day” with Cruise Whitsundays. Grandfather, father, and I had a blast time at the Whithaven beach! We witnessed some huge lizards walking in the forest. We played some volleyball. We swam. We took a long walk. We snorkled. We hiked to the Hill Inlet Lookout. It was beyond beautiful. The water was so clear, like crystal! What an amazing day out!
8. Bungee Jump
AJ Hackett Cairns is the capital of Bungy or Bungee Jumping and the capital of adventure travel. Bungy Jump from a 50 metre high tower high in the canopies of the Cairns rainforest and dip your head into the water if you dare. Yep, my grandpa dared.
We survived. It was hard to believe that my grandpa jumped. What I meant by that is, he’s 73 years old. That’s when I wouldn’t be doing anything stupid, yet he did it. He has my respect. That means you can do it too!
By the way, I asked my grandpa to ensure that there was no injury. He confirmed that there were no injuries not even a slight pain that he has once felt during the bungee jump. So, it’s safe for you too!
Here’s fun fact about AJ Hackett: In 1987 AJ Hackett jumped illegally from the Eiffel Tower and in doing so launched bungy jumping to the world. More than 25 years and 3.5 million jumps later, AJ Hackett now operates the world’s most innovative gravity related products anywhere on the planet.
9. Scuba Diving – Quicksilver Great Barrier Reef Cruise
The Great Barrier Reef, off of the coast of Queensland in northeastern Australia, is the largest living thing on Earth. It is even visible from outer space. The 2,300km-long ecosystem comprises thousands of reefs and hundreds of islands made of over 600 types of hard and soft coral. It’s home to countless species of colorful fish, mollusks and starfish, plus turtles, dolphins and sharks.
I got to witness a baby shark, got to pet some sea animals. It was definitely the biggest reef I’ve ever been to!
I love sharing facts with you guys. Here are some facts I learned:
1. More than 1,500 fish species live on the reef.
2. Around 10 percent of the world’s total fish species can be found just within the Great Barrier Reef.
3. The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest reef system.
4. The Great Barrier Reef is composed of over 2,900 individual reef.
5. The Great Barrier Reef has over 900 islands stretching for over 2,600 kilometres.
6. The Great Barrier Reef can be seen from outer space.
7. The Great Barrier Reef is greater in size than Tasmania and Victoria combined.
8. The Great Barrier Reef is greater in size than the United Kingdom, Holland and Switzerland combined.
9. The Great Barrier Reef is approximately the same area as Italy, Germany, Malaysia or Japan.
10. The Great Barrier Reef is roughly half the size of Texas.
These are your reasons why you should go and explore under the sea at the Great Barrier Reef!
10. Skydiving – Skydive Cairns
This skydiving experience is a must to do anywhere in Australia. I specifically picked Cairns due to several reasons; seeing the Great Barrier Reef and the tropical rainforest all at once, in freewill and under canopy. With the combination of terrain, reef, and expansive ocean views. It is simply breathtaking.
It’s guaranteed to be an unforgettable lifetime experience! It’s my fourth sky dive, it’s indeed very addictive.
If you’re scared, here are some facts that might make you more comfortable: around 2 million skydives occur every year, there are only 35 fatalities, which is less than 1%. Skydiving is safer than riding in a car. The youngest person to have ever achieved skydiving is 4 years old. You can do it too!
11. Abseiling with view of Brisbane View
Riverlife‘s abseiling activity is at the edge of the Kangaroo Point Cliffs in Brisbane, Australia. It has cliffs that are 20 meters high. Abseiling down with the uninterrupted views of Brisbane and watch the city cats, boats, and kayakers skim across the meandering river!
Abseiling is also called a rappel, it is a controlled descent down a vertical drop, such as a rock face, using a rope. Climbers use this technique when a cliff or slope is too steep and/or dangerous to descend without protection. Many climbers use this technique to protect established anchors from damage.
Truthfully it wasn’t scary at all. I think I’m pretty used to any height right now, however it was a bit scary for my father. I was surprised to learn that my father was nervous about taking it and he found a way to conquer his fear!
Roadtrip – Car Rental
The best way to get to experience all epic bucket-list experiences is to rent a vehicle that allows you to drive anywhere you’d like to got. With my experience, I was so grateful to be able to witness some stunning landscapes and continually completing all bucket-list experiences. I’ve chosenThrifty Car and Truck Rental‘s SUV for good reasons. I was traveling with my grandfather and father. It was necessary to have a good size vehicle and a SUV was perfect for that. Not only that, Australia is a enormous country so it will take you guys 30+ hours to complete the most of bucket-list I mentioned here. Being comfortable is very essential to us and Thrifty’s SUV had everything that fit what we need. You might want check it out.
Sponsored by Thrifty Car and Truck Rental
12. Skyrail Rainforest Cableway
Skyrail Rainforest Cableway is located in Cairns, Australia. It’s the world’s first environmental tourism, taking you on an amazing experience over Australia’s world Heritage listed Tropical Rainforest canopy, deep into the forest. It was voted Australia’s Best Major Tourism Attraction, the multi-award winning tourist experience. It is a world leader in eco-tourism, with that you’ll be able to experience unlike anywhere in the world.
It was great observing over the pristine rainforest, around 7.5km I’d say. It got us to explore the wonders of an ancient tropical rainforest. With that experience, I felt like I am part of the tropical rainforest environment. You can also take another great adventure and that is the Kuranda Scenic Railway that takes you around the rainforest and witness some beautiful spots that you won’t get to see if you drive on the road.
There are way more experiences you can have during your trip in Australia! In my opinion, these activities that I have just shared with you are what I love the most about Australia.
