Top Australia & the Pacific Extreme Sports - page 5

The South Island’s mountainous volcanic landscape makes it ideal for high-octane activities like ziplines. Glide through the skies above Kaikōura with five zipline flights above lush forests and rolling farmland on this half-day small-group experience. With twin lines running side-by-side, you can even share the experience with a friend simultaneously.

There’s more to Byron Bay than its surf beaches and markets. With this tour, escape the typical tourist trail and discover little-known spots that locals love. Cool off with a swim and spot turtles at Killen Falls, then admire views of Lake Ainsworth and discover the unique healing properties of the Tea Tree lake. Finally, enjoy a guided bushwalk through Broken Head Nature Reserve and seek out hidden viewpoints, beaches, and cliff jumping sites.

Fly along a series of high-speed ziplines at the Christchurch Adventure Park, soaring high in the air for sweeping views of the Southern Alps and Pacific Ocean that you can’t get any other way. Zipline guides and fitted protective equipment ensure a safe, fun adventure through the Port Hills. Ride four dual ziplines that soar more than 518 feet (150 meters) above the ground for a thrilling experience.

Learning to surf on your own means guessing at technique and trying to access equipment—difficult to arrange on vacation. Book a small-group lesson at Bondi Beach with a local instructor to cover surf and safety basics, warm-up, paddling, catching waves, and standing up. All the gear is included, so you can turn up and get straight in the water.

Enjoy adventures both on and off the water with this Moorea combo tour. On two different days, you'll take a Jet Ski tour to Cook's Bay and have the chance to swim among rays and sharks, and then explore pineapple fields and the mountain landscape on an ATV/quad bike tour.

Get an enchanting new perspective on Melbourne aboard a hot-air balloon flight over the city at sunrise. Soar over modern skyscrapers, urban parks, famous sporting arenas, and the Yarra River as early morning light bathes the skyline in a rosy glow. After your unforgettable flight, toast the new day with an optional buffet breakfast.

Discover the wondrous wildlife and mystical natural attractions of Western Australia on this full-day tour from Perth. Discover kangaroos and koalas at Caversham Wildlife Park and enjoy an included fish and chips lunch in the lobster fishing town of Cervantes. Take a guided walk through the eerie, lunar-like landscape of Pinnacles Desert, and get your heart racing as you speed through the massive dunes of Lancelin on a sandboarding and 4WD adventure.

Explore the idyllic landscapes of Mount Aspiring National Park, where filming for The Lord of the Rings movies took place, both by land and water, on this action-packed half-day tour from Wanaka. Zip along the pristine waters of the Matukituki River on a jet boat, then get even closer to nature on a guided wilderness walk past forests, waterfalls, and glacier-fed streams.

Saddle up and explore New Zealand’s rugged wilderness on this half-day Cardrona High Country Pub Trail horse-riding trek. Learn about historical locales along the winding mountain trails from your guide. Pass through a working cattle farm, traverse choppy rivers, and enjoy panoramic views. Stop at the historic Cardrona Hotel for a complimentary drink, then return to base along the Cardrona River. Best suited to riders with at least intermediate-level experience.

Get up close to some of the most majestic ocean creatures on a half-day small-group tour from Moorea. Depending on the season and the conditions, you can swim with dolphins, humpback whales, stingrays, and even sharks. You’ll be provided with snorkeling gear and flotation devices so you feel comfortable in the ocean. Strong swimming skills are necessary.

If you’d like to try skydiving but are put off by the thought of jumping out of a plane, indoor skydiving is for you. Enjoy the feeling of free-falling without leaping from great heights. Gear and training will be provided so you can relax and enjoy the sensation of floating on an air cushion. Enjoy two “flights” of one minute each.

Pump up your Rottnest Island experience with a tandem skydiving adventure. You'll have up to 66 seconds of freefall time before parachuting for five minutes, enjoying views of the island and Indian Ocean. Then land on the beach.

Experience the thrill of falling at over 136 miles (220 kilometers) per hour for up to 60 seconds, before floating for 5-7 minutes above the turquoise waters and pretty coastlines of the Whitsunday Islands. If you’re concerned about safety, relax knowing that the team at Airlie Beach Tandem Skydive includes Australian and world-champion skydivers. Skydiving will always be a memorable experience; make it even better by skydiving in this beautiful location.

Visit "The Lord of the Rings" filming locations in and around Glenorchy, traveling by 4WD from Queenstown with a guide. This half-day tour includes stunning landscapes chosen by director Peter Jackson. See where famous scenes were filmed, the landscapes representing the Fortress of Isengard, Lothlórien, Ithilien Camp, and Forest of Amon Hen.

Get off the beaten path and enjoy sweeping views over Queenstown that would be otherwise difficult to find on this ATV adventure. Head to Queenstown Hill for a half-day tour on a fully automatic ATV and follow your guide over off-road trails (safety gear and all-weather clothing are provided). Enjoy informative commentary and sweeping views over Queenstown. Hotel pickup and drop-off, along with refreshments, are included in this small-group tour.

Woondum National Park is full of subtropical rainforests—and off-road trails ideal for exploring on all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). This half-day ATV bike tour makes it easy to hit the trails in the park, even for first-timers. After a safety and tour briefing, ride the bikes on a specialized training track for roughly 30-40 minutes. Then, ride through the park to natural rock pools to swim, relax, and have snacks before making the return journey.

Visit parts of Kangaroo Island that are inaccessible any other way when you join this buggy tour of the Little Sahara dunes. With a guide and a small group of adventure-loving travelers you’ll spend two hours riding through wild, beautiful parts of the island. See ancient gum trees, spot koalas in the wild, be amazed by the rugged cliffs and coastline, and visit a pristine secluded beach.

Confidently experience the joy of surfing in a half-day surf lesson on the Gold Coast. With no more than five surfers per instructor and a 100 percent stand-up guarantee, soon discover the thrill of carving through the waves in this surf lovers’ paradise. Learn tips and techniques, find out how to spot the best waves, and even take home some photos of you riding your board for the first time.

See Rottnest Island from the water on this day trip that includes a high-speed wildlife boat ride. Travel to the island—a favorite local getaway due to its secluded beaches and relaxing environment—by high-speed ferry from Perth or Fremantle. Then embark on a thrilling ride to look for seals, dolphins, sea birds, and other marine life. Afterward, you have free time on the island to explore independently—rent a bike or go swimming off one of the white-sand beaches.

This tour has a maximum capacity of 11 passengers in order to make your experience more comfortable, & inclusive with relaxed timeframes to allow for the park to be truly appreciated. Pick-ups are from 8 am in Darwin’s CBD (select your accommodation when booking) and will be back in Darwin around 5:30 pm.

Enjoy high-octane thrills in the New Zealand wilderness without the hassle of equipment rentals on this small-group Cardrona Valley quad bike experience. Spin off into the mountains of the mighty Cardrona Valley with your guide who will navigate the winding dirt tracks so you won't get lost. Enjoy panoramic views over the wilds of New Zealand’s South Island.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced jet skier, this fun three-hour jet skiing tour can be tailored to your needs. Ride solo or with a guide and explore around the coastline of Moorea. Stop to swim with rays, tropical fish, and sharks. Enjoy the views while you zoom around on a thrilling adventure.

Halfway up the Queensland coastline you’ll find Great Keppel Island, a protected hideaway smack in the middle of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. On this day trip from Keppel Bay Marina near Yeppoon, take a short ferry ride out to Great Keppel Island and explore the island at your own pace. Enjoy a tranquil bush walk, sunbathe, or immerse yourself in crystal-clear water.

Inject some thrills into your sightseeing as you whip down Central Otago’s Clutha River at high speeds on a thrilling jet boating experience. Race around Lake Wanaka and down the winding river, through rapids and tunnels, tight channels and tighter corners, on this compact and comprehensive journey that’ll get you back to shore in time for your afternoon or evening plans.