If you want to scare yourself, then Australia’s the place to do it. You can find all different types of extreme adventures across the country, but we’ve put together what we think are the most fearsome…
Conquer sand dunes in the biggest truck you’ve ever seen
The Desert Storm in Lancelin is the world’s largest 4WD coach, and it’s certainly put through its paces, with the sort of handbrake turns not usually seen outside of police evidence. This is not recommended for backseat drivers. A twisty, turny, uppy, downy tour of the sand dunes at Lancelin, 130km north of Perth, costs $40 for adults and $25 for children with Desert Storm (08 9655 2550/ www.desertstorm.com.au). This includes the chance to go sandboarding.
Jet boating on the Indian Ocean
Trips on the water are usually sedate but, jetboating is an altogether more exhilarating affair. With the serious grunt that comes with 600 horsepower engines, you can spin around the Indian Ocean at speeds of up to 75km/h, all the time trying to avoid a healthy dose of spray in your face. West Coast Jet (0403 606 033/ www.westcoastjet.com.au) does a hair-raising 20 minute ride on Fremantle Harbour for $25 per person.
Climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge
Like a big slavering dog that constantly barks whilst straining at a leash, then rolls over as soon as it’s given a biscuit, the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb looks a lot scarier than it actually is. Everyone is connected to a railing, and even looking down, it doesn’t actually seem that far, as you’re looking at the road rather than the water. Having said that, there is an undeniable feeling of euphoria when you reach the top of the arc. The three-and-a-half hour Bridge Climb costs from $165 (adults) or $100 (children). Call (02) 8274 7777 or go to www.bridgeclimb.com.au for more information.
Abseil down a 140m dam
Willingly taking a step over the side of a 140m dam is absolutely guaranteed to set the heart racing, and the Gordon Dam near Hobart is the highest commercial abseil in the world. With a combination of ropes, carabeenas and jelly-legged will power, it’s possible to shimmy your way down a seemingly impossible angle without plunging to inevitable death. Just don’t spend too much time looking down.
Aardvark Adventures (03 6273 7722/ www.aardvarkadventures.com.au do an all day trip to Gordon Dam, suitable for beginners, for $150.
Make your way through a canyon
Whilst the fun bits seem like an acceptable adult version of a children’s water park (Wahey! Slide down the water slide into the big plunge pool!) the more skilled bits most certainly aren’t.
Canyoning is basically following a free-flowing river through caves, gorges, and whatever else nature has thrown in the way. This can mean anything from leaping into big pools of water off rocks to traversing across precarious ledges.
Australia’s main canyoning spot is the Wollemi National Park, an hour’s drive from Katoomba in NSW’s Blue Mountains. The Blue Mountains Adventure Centre (02 7482 1271/ www.bmac.com.au) runs full day introductory and intermediate canyoning trips starting at $155.
Loop the loop in a Tiger Moth
Not an option for those who break into a cold sweat at the sight of a rollercoaster that goes upside-down temporarily, but for a big adrenaline rush, it’s hard to beat rolling through the skies at high G forces.
It’s very much a case of the more you can stomach, the more you’ll get on an aerobatic flight. If you cry off scared during the first loop-the-loop then it’ll be gentle from then on in. At Tiger Moth World Adventure Park (03 5261 5100/ www.tigermothworld.com) in Torquay, Victoria, a scenic flight costs from $135, with the aerobatic add-ons setting you back another $40- $100, depending on how hardcore you’re feeling.
Raft down the Tully River
Tully in Queensland is the wettest part of Australia, and consequently the river there can become a raging, foaming torrent. Some people have decided that it would be incredibly entertaining to get shunted along the river in an inflatable dinghy.
Rafters are guaranteed to get soaked as they battle against grade four rapids, plunge down waterfalls and desperately try and steer the flimsy craft away from mortal danger.
A full day trip, including five hours of rafting, costs from $145 per person with Raging Thunder (07 4030 7990/ www.ragingthunder.com.au).
Jump Out Of A Plane
In an era where flight is taken for granted, we get used to certain comforts and protocols. Therefore, to be in the back of an unfurnished aircraft, strapped to a certifiable lunatic with a door wide open is understandably petrifying.
All the fear is in the anticipation though. Once out of the plane, you’re too busy whooping and hollering as you freefall at incredible speed towards the ground. You can skydive all over Australia, and it will cost between $200 and $400 (excluding photos, DVD and tacky T-shirts). Contact the Australian Parachute Federation (02 6281 6830/ www.apf.asn.au) to find a drop zone near you.
Do a bungy jump
It may not be as high as a skydive, but the fear of death is much higher. You can see what you’re just about to crunch into, and it’s got to be your decision to leap off the ledge. There are two ways of doing this. The first is to make a heroic bound, flying through the air with confidence. The second is being a whimpering coward and just leaning forwards, biting your nails, until you lose your balance and fall anyway.
Australia’s main Bungy site is at Smithfield, just north of Cairns. It is run by AJ Hackett (1800 622 888/ www.ajhackett.com.au) and will set you back $125.
This article was originally written for Ninemsn in 2007. Prices may have changed.
Copyright David Whitley
