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  • The Top Adventure Activities in and around Sydney

    Klook Team
    Klook Team
    Last updated 24 Apr 2020
    surfing surfer beach sydney australia
    Sydney's optimum nature and weather will have your need for speed, and your eye for heights covered.
    Sydney is diverse as a box of your grandma's Roses chocolates. Yeah, you know what I'm saying. One trip isn't enough - throughout your lifetime you'll probably head to the glistening, sun-drenched Sydney side multiple times.
    You've probably explored all the top attractions Sydney has to offer, maybe taken some romantic dates (if not, you'll find a bunch of date ideas in Sydney here) and one day, maybe you'll return with all all the kids for the the range of family-friendly activities in Sydney. But before that, make sure you you sneak in a trip for your inner thrill-seeker - Sydney's optimum nature and weather will have your need for speed, and your eye for heights covered. Here are the top adventure activities in and around Sydney.

    1. Test your fear of heights with skydiving in Wollongong

    wollongong beach skydive skydiver
    If you’re looking to get your heart rate pumping, skydiving should be right at the top of your list of activities to try.
    You can head go skydiving at Wollongong, where you’ll jump out of a plane at a height of 15,000 feet! As you leap into the clear-blue sky, you will freefall at speeds of up to 200kph for up to 60 seconds.
    Once your parachute has deployed, you’ll float through the sky for 5-7 minutes – plenty of time to take in the glorious views and create memories you’ll never forget.
    You might be tempted to keep your eyes tightly shut, but don't, because you'll miss some amazing views of Sydney’s beaches and glorious coastline. Plus, you’ll land directly on the beach, so a soft landing is (near!) guaranteed.
    This activity might be adrenaline-pumping, but safety remains a top priority. Before you jump, you’ll meet the skydiving support team who will train you on all of the relevant safety procedures and answer any questions you may have. Your tandem jump master will even fit and deploy your parachute for you – all you have to do is sit back and enjoy the ride.

    2. See the sunrise with a hot air balloon ride

    sunrise hot air balloon australia
    If you want to experience the skies but don’t fancy skydiving, a hot air balloon ride at Camden Valley is ideal as it provides the same views but a more serene experience.
    Once you’ve taken flight, you’ll get a fantastic 360-degree view of spectacular landscapes, including the lush country sights of the Macarthur region and even the centre of Sydney on a clear day.
    To take the most stunning photographs, and for the best possible outdoor experience, we recommend going early morning, so you can be taking pics and selfies as the sun rises on this glorious location.

    3. Fly among the treetops with the Illawarra Zipline tour

    zipline tour tree top sydney
    Sticking to the theme of heights, why not fly like a bird among the treetops with an Illawarra zipline tour? This is the highest ziplining tour available in Australia, at a whopping 35 metres above the forest floor.
    The outdoor tour itself takes 2.5 hours and you’ll be led by professional guides who can inform you about all of the stunning sights and sounds you’ll experience as you soar from platform to platform high in the treetops.
    Here, you’ll be completely immersed in the native rainforest, but you’ll also catch glimpses of the Pacific Ocean. Once you’ve spent an hour in the treetops, you’ll be able to set off on a self-guided treetop walk where you can take in the scenery while your heart rate returns to normal.

    4. Fulfill your need fo speed with race car driving

    racecar drive road racing sydney australia motorsport park
    If you feel the need for speed, a race-car driving experience is the stuff dreams are made of. If you fancy yourself as the next Mark Webber, head to Motorsport Park at Eastern Creek where you can experience full-throttle adventure in a supercar like a Ferrari or even a Formula One-style race car.
    Once you’ve been given a full safety and driving brief, you’ll be dressed in your race suit, complete with helmet and gloves. Then you’re ready to hit the track for some high-octane fun.
    Whether you’d rather ride in the passenger seat while a qualified race driver whizzes you around the track at 200kph or you'd rather have a go yourself, an adventure activity like this will satisfy your need for speed.
    If all-out speed isn’t for you, you’ll find other courses available such as the Skid and Slide course and the Gymkhana course, where you’ll learn to navigate obstacle courses.

    5. Get into the outdoors with white-water rafting and kayaking

    rafting kayaking white-water rapids penrith stadium olympic games sydney australia
    Sydney is known for its harbours rather than its raging river systems, but the man-made rapids at the Penrith Whitewater Stadium are the next best thing and are perfect for any white-water rafting or kayaking enthusiasts looking for unique things to do.
    The outdoor complex was built for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, and the world-renowned course remains Olympic standard today. Whether you’d rather take part in white-water rafting, kayaking or swiftwater rescue training, this is the place to be.
    Suitable for anyone aged 12 or over, 14,000 litres of raging water flow over a moving obstacle course each and every second here. It’s the perfect place to learn how to kayak, improve your skills or take on difficult challenges. There’s fun for all the family, but it's also suited towards athletes of all skill levels.

    6. See the skyline with the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb

    climb skyline night day sunset sunrise australia sydney harbour bridge
    There’s no better way of visiting the Sydney Harbour Bridge than by climbing it and witnessing the breathtaking views from the top.
    This is one of the world’s longest bridge climbs, with an eye-watering 134-metre ascent to the top. The climb takes 1,300 steps and burns more than 500 calories in the process, which also makes it one of the world’s most memorable workouts.
    The climb starts from below the Bradfield Highway, where you head to the south-east pylon. As the traffic zooms past below, you’ll climb a series of ladders until you reach the upper arch. From here, you continue along the outer arch until you reach the summit.
    The climb may not be for the faint-hearted, but you can enjoy it at your own pace. At 3.5 hours, you’ll have plenty of time to soak in the awe-inspiring views of the Opera House and the Circular Quay before you cross to the Darling Harbour side of the bridge and descend through the spine.
    At the top of the bridge, you’ll be photographed against the backdrop of the city. And when you’re back on terra firma, you’ll be presented with a certificate, a cap and free entry to the Pylon Lookout.

    7. There's no adrenaline-pumping activity like Sydney Harbour Jet Boating

    jet boat thrill ride red sydney harbour australia
    If you've seen Sydney from the ground, why not from Sydney Harbour itself? There’s no better way to do just that than enjoying a jet boat thrill ride.
    If you love to feel the wind in your hair as you travel at breakneck speed, this is the tour for you. Complete with spins, splashes, fishtails and dashes, this unique experience is an incredible combination of sightseeing and fun. As well as the thrills, your tour guides will be on hand to tell you about all the famous sights you whizz past.
    On this pulse-pounding tour, you’ll experience all of Sydney’s most famous sights in just half an hour, combining the excitement of a rollercoaster ride with a sightseeing experience. You’ll be provided with waterproof gear, too, so you won’t need to spend time drying off.

    8. Go sandboarding at Port Stephens

    port stephens sandboarding adventure experience thrill
    If you’re looking for an adrenaline-fuelled experience that the whole family can enjoy, then consider sandboarding at Port Stephens.
    This is a beginner-friendly activity that’s great for families but still gets the heart pumping. Plus, there’s a shuttle bus to take you right to the dunes.
    Slide down smooth stretches of sand at high speed. The home to some of Australia’s largest sand dunes, Port Stephens allows brave adventurers can scale the larger dunes, while children and beginners can start small and work their way up. You’ll have unlimited slides during your adventure, so make sure you bring your camera to capture some perfect family snaps.

    9. Speed through the desert with Worimi Quad Biking Adventure

    worimi quad biking australia sand desert
    For an extra shot of adrenaline with your sand-dune tour, enjoy a Worimi quad biking adventure. Channel the Road Warrior on your 400cc quad bike and bash through the sand dunes to your heart’s content, enjoying all the thrills and spills that come with this activity.
    If you choose to extend your stay, you can also learn to make Aboriginal tools, as well as how to dig for fresh water and discover bush food. When you’ve finished, you can also enjoy a spot of sandboarding. Hurl yourself down the rising hills and whiz down with the wind. It’s the perfect day of discovery and adventure in the desert.

    10. Channel your Bondi surfer vibes

    surfing surfer beach sydney australia
    Stop watching Bondi Rescue and get down here instead! Bondi Beach is not just a pretty sight - you can also get your beach cred by booking a two-hour introductory surfing lesson.
    When you arrive, your qualified instructor will teach you all the key surf and safety rules in order for you to feel safe and confident on the board. From here, it’s time to hit the water, where you’ll be helped safely onto your first wave before you’ve even had time to worry about falling off!
    Once you’ve felt the rush of that first wave, there’s no going back. Luckily, there’s plenty of ti
    me to catch more waves before the end of the session. And if you’ve caught the bug, there’s also the chance to do some mini-courses so you can stand and ride the waves all on your own. Surf’s up!

    11. Coasteering

    explore coastline beach sea sand shore
    Coasteering - other other words, exploring the coastline - is the perfect way to cool down on a hot day and will exercise your adrenaline on an otherwise chill Sunday arvo.
    Here, adventurers climb, scramble and move along the coastline before jumping from the cliffs that mark Sydney's rugged shoreline, splashing into the lapping waves below. It’s not for the nervous, but it’s a special way to explore the city's rocky trails, caves and wildlife.
    If you don’t want to jump, you can simply hop along the rocks as you make your way around the coastline. Coasteering is suitable for all levels of adventure.

    It's worth a trip to Sydney just for its adventure and adrenaline-pumping activities

    Whether you’re looking for speed, heights or even to learn a new skill, there are plenty of adventure activities in and around Sydney to get the heart pumping. From dawn till dusk, there's something for all experience levels, whether you prefer the iconic waters of Bondi or the sand dues of Port Stephens. So what are you waiting for? I mean, YOLO!