Top Australia & the Pacific Extreme Sports - page 7

Thrill seekers will enjoy this fun adventure activity combo that includes jet boating and off-roading near Queenstown. Be amazed by the speeds you’ll get to in the four-seater Jet Sprint boats, which can accelerate to 62 miles (100 kilometers) per hour in just 2.5 seconds. Follow this with a ride on land in a four-wheel-drive vehicle that can venture over the most rugged terrain.

Enjoy a dose of adrenaline and take in amazing views of native forest with this zip lining experience. For approximately 2.5 hours, fly through the air on ziplines, traverse swing bridges and wander along boardwalks as you get closer to the environment. This operation exists in partnership with a local Māori tribe, Ngāti Hinerangi. As part of their conservation efforts, plant a tree in your name on departure.

If you’ve always wondered what it’s like to drive a Formula 1 race car, you’ll love this private Radical U-Drive experience. Guided by a professional race driver, you’ll zoom around the track seven times–long enough to enjoy the feel of the aerodynamic bodywork, thrilling cornering speeds, and the sounds of the engine accelerating. This is the closest you’ll feel to driving a Le Mans vehicle without actually being in one.

Experience the best views of Auckland from a different angle that most travelers miss when you go tandem skydiving from as high as 18,000 feet (5,486 meters). Freefall for 75 seconds at speeds of over 125 miles (200 kilometers) per hour before your instructor pulls the ripcord. Soak up stunning coastal views of rainforests and beaches from above. Free pickup is available from Auckland City, subject to availability.

Skydive over one of Australia’s most beautiful beaches, Mission Beach, on this adrenaline-pumping excursion from Cairns. Skydive at 15,000 feet (4,572 kilometers), one of the highest in Australia, and take in the stunning views of the nearby Great Barrier Reef and lush rainforest as you float down to a stunning coconut-lined beach. Avoid the hassle of planning travel logistics with included transfers.

Fly to a landing point high on Tasman Glacier on a helicopter tour that includes a spectacular fly-by of Mount Cook (Aoraki). A guided hike on the glacier explores remote snow fields and ice formations at roughly 4,265 ft. (1,300 mt.), where you’ll use crampons or snow shoes to cross terrain that’s otherwise only accessible with an arduous overland journey.

Leave for 1 hour of Jet Ski to discover the North West coast of Moorea! A swimming stop will allow you to meet stingrays and black tip sharks. Beginner or confirmed? Our guides will adapt to your level so that you can fully enjoy this moment.

Leap into the sky and take flight on this tandem skydiving adventure. You’ll surf the air currents at 15,000 feet (4,600 meters), high above the other surfing mecca of Bells Beach.You’ll reach speeds of up to 220 kph (124 mph) before your instructor pulls the chute. As you glide back down to Earth, you’ll have the chance to steer the parachute.

Experience the majestic creatures of the deep on this small-group whale watching tour in Bora Bora. Between July and November, whales make their way north, to warmer waters, to give birth to their calves. Since French Polynesia is a sanctuary for these gentle giants, there is a good chance to see them on your tour. Species you may encounter are humpback whales, orcas, rorquals, and dolphins.

Head to Finke Gorge National Park from Alice Springs to explore an Aboriginal community and a beautiful oasis in the outback. Visit the historic town of Hermannsburg with its historic buildings and Aboriginal art gallery before going off-road in a 4WD to tackle the notorious Finke River trail. Highlights include a picnic lunch, Palm Valley, known for its red cabbage palms, and views of the MacDonnell Ranges from Kalarranga Lookout.

Take a break from the beach and experience a different side to Moorea on this private half-day tour. You'll learn more about the island's culture, history, and landscape by touring with a local guide. Take a four-wheel drive up rugged mountain paths to an incredible lookout, sample local fruit and juice at plantations, and more. A fun and easy way to get an overview of Moorea's highlights.

Join a morning or afternoon excursion to Manly to snorkel in the calm waters of Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve. Just a short hop from Sydney, see diverse marine life on a guided snorkeling tour from Shelly Beach. After a swim test, your guide leads your small group into the water from the beach, so you can snorkel with confidence. Also stroll along the headland for great Northern Beaches views.

The wide, blue Clutha River is flanked by glacial terraces and stunning New Zealand bush. Speed down the river on this jet boat trip through Upper Clutha Valley, take photos of the towering Southern Alps, and thrill at the river’s long winding stretches and switchback corners. This exciting excursion will show you parts of New Zealand’s South Island you can’t get to any other way.

Experience the ultimate adrenaline rush at Skypark Cairns, home to Australia’s only bungy jump and the thrilling Giant Swing. Nestled in the world’s oldest rainforest with panoramic views of the Great Barrier Reef, this unique park offers unforgettable adventures for thrill-seekers and spectators alike. Whether you’re leaping from the sky or enjoying the view with a drink at the Gravity Bar, this is a must-visit Cairns attraction.

Zip along dirt tracks, splash through muddy trails and venture off-road on this exhilarating quad bike tour of Kangaroo Island. See the rugged Aussie bushlands from your easy-to-drive ATV as you follow your guide on one of four different itineraries that showcase everything from pristine beaches and spectacular viewpoints to challenging gravel tracks.

Take the TreeTop Challenge, one of Australia's largest ropes courses, spread over nine acres (3.6 hectares) of bush land. Half-day admission includes use of safety equipment and access to six different courses for all levels of skill. Participants must be eight years or older.

Let a guide navigate the Skippers Canyon on this 4WD tour and avoid the risk of self-driving this treacherous but rewarding road, round-trip from Queenstown. The route affords dramatic views over the Wakatipu Basin and Shotover River Valley. Cross Skippers Bridge into the namesake township and stop at Deep Creek to try your hand at gold panning. The half-day trip includes light refreshments and hotel pickup.

Experience what it’s like to be a race-car driver with a fun ride in a Ferrari 488 GTB at a purpose-built track in Cromwell. Feel the rush of reaching speeds of 62 miles (100 kilometers) per hour in just 3 seconds, and getting up to 139 miles (225 kilometers) per hour. Your safety will be in the hands of highly experienced, professional driver and the sleek, well-constructed cars.

Check out the immersive underwater world in Bora Bora with this afternoon dive, suitable for certified divers. All of your scuba gear is provided to keep things hassle-free. Your guide will take you to the most promising dive spot on the day, either in the lagoon or the reef, and then dive with you to make sure you don’t miss out on any of the underwater sites.

This Quad Bike Adventure is the perfect way to see Fiji’s highlights in a fun and fast way. You’ll cover more ground than a walking tour, and you’ll be able to access off-road rural sites that you couldn’t reach by car or bus. Whizz past Nadi Town, pass by a Hindu Temple, explore pine forests, and see incredible views of the Nakala Mountains.

Take to the waves at one of Sydney’s top surf spots with a surf class at the beautiful Maroubra Beach. In a small-group lesson with a qualified instructor and a maximum of 6 people, learn about water safety, master the basic skills, and enjoy a fun time on the water.

Get your adrenaline pumping during your time in Fiji on this adventure tour from Nadi. With a small group, drive down rugged trails, past sugarcane fields, and up a pine forest mountain on your ATV. Take in the views from the top before heading to an adventure park where you ride a series of ziplines through the lush forest.

Choose this 2 hours excursion to discover the beautiful island of Moorea with a friendly team. Known for its sandy beaches and steep volcanic mountains, you'll cruise by jet ski with your local guide, admiring the island's stunning sights from the water. Your 2-hour jet ski ride includes visiting both bays (Cook's Bay and Opunohu Bay), the chance to see and swim with stingrays and sharks, spot turtles, dolphins or whales (in season). When you return, a little surprise awaits you at the jet ski club. FREE transfer from your hotel, pension, cruise ship.

Launch into the air, soar across deep ravines, and find sweeping views over Mele Bay on a Port Vila zipline tour in the Vanuatu jungle. Since traveling to the start of the zipline course means an adventurous 4WD trip through the forest, you’ll see a rugged side of the island without planning a separate jungle tour, then descend a series of six ziplines that total .9 miles (1.4 km.).