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OZADVENTURES
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Where? Again the east is the coast with the most, such as at Cairns, Surfers Paradise and Hervey Bay. Whitewater rafting: So there’s this river growling angrily at you as it nonchalantly churns up trees and rocks. Most people would simply turn and walk away. Australians, however, like to pump up a little dinghy, grab all their mates, a couple of paddles and head off over the first waterfall. It’s one helluva ride... Where? The Tully River in northern Queensland has world famous rapid-riding, but there are other spots too, like the Murray River (Victoria) or the purpose-built (for the 2000 Olympics) arena in Sydney. The daddy is Tasmania’s remote Franklin River, where rafting trips last 5-10 days. Water sports: Other water sports practiced with aplomb by the locals are wakeboarding, waterskiing, sailing, kayaking and kite surfing. For obvious reasons it’s an exuberant outdoor culture here and that doesn’t just mean lazing on the sand. Where? Pretty much wherever there’s water (and remember 85 per cent of Australians live by the coast). Best of the rest: There really is something for everyone. Rock climbing and abseiling opportunities are excellent and abundant. Australia has some superb walking trails, the best of all being Tasmania’s stunning 80km Overland Track. It’s not the greatest snow in the world, but it’s there and you can still have a whole heap of messy fun in the highlands on the NSW-Victorian border (kangaroos in the snow – who’d have thought?). Plus, for something a bit quirkier, try zorbing on the Gold Coast or get the hump by jumping on a camel for a ride in Broome and various other spots.
Animal experiences A big part of any Aussie trip is meeting the bizarre and brilliant collection of creatures that call the continent home – many of which cannot be found anywhere else on the planet. Top of many peoples’ lists will be cuddling a koala and hand-feeding a kangaroo, both of which are easily done in dozens, if not hundreds of places around the country. Also likely to inspire much “ooo-ing” and “aahing” are the surprisingly big and grumpy wombats, bizarre duck-billed platypuses, very cute echidnas, screeching Tasmanian devils and the giant, majestic cassowarys (one of the few birds known to have killed a man!). Many of the most rewarding wildlife experiences, however, are to be had underwater. You can swim with dolphins and dive with sharks in multiple places across Oz, while swimming with seals just off the Nullarbor is a much under-rated alternative. But top of the list, for pure awe factor, has to be swimming with the Ningaloo’s whale sharks and braving South Australia’s great white shark cage dives. ❚
Roadtrips This is the real Australian adventure. Just you and a couple of close mates, some top “choons” on the iPod, a fridge full of beer and the enticing tarmac of the great open road stretching endlessly before you. With such a scarce population and such transfixing landscapes, no place lends itself to a long roadtrip like this sun-baked continent does. Crossing the Nullarbor Plain (roughly between Adelaide and Perth) will earn you much kudos and any drive through the middle of Oz brings the rewards of the amazing rock formations in the Red Centre. Taking a 4WD adventure through the Kimberley or up to Cape York are other options, but not for the faint-hearted or unprepared. Ultimately, the very best way to experience this vast country is to do the complete circuit off your own steam – buy or rent a campervan.
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