Great Outdoor Activities to do in Australia

Australians are known for their love of the outdoors, so it is no surprise that there are many great outdoor activities to participate in the land "Down Under." If you plan on visiting and want to take advantage of what the country has to offer, look no further than the guide below. It provides suggestions on how to enjoy everything from Australia’s beaches to its mountaintops. You will surely return with a great tan and a greater love of nature.

Surfing

The island nation is surrounded by several bodies of water including the Pacific and Indian oceans. The waves generated on Australia’s beaches entice visitors from around the world to jump on a surf board and ride a wave or two. Ten foot waves can be found at Yallingup Reef, which is located in Western Australia. The beach is a favorite of local hero and world class surfer, Taj Burrows. Yallingup is not crowded most of the year, and the waves break on a beautiful reef that is swimming distance away from the shore. All you need is your wetsuit and a board. Even a novice can quickly learn the tricks of surfing from one of several surfing schools along the beach, such as the Yallingup Surf School.

Water Activities

Just as the country is littered with surf-ready beaches, so also are its waters littered with fish. And, there are many charter companies that will gladly take novice or skilled fishing enthusiasts to the best spots for catching small and large fish. Tasmania, for example, is renowned for its game fishing and offers several diverse fishing locales. Fish can be found in rivers, the ocean or saltwater lakes. If you would rather watch sea creatures instead of catch them, then there are many opportunities to snorkel or scuba dive. Luckily, Australia is home to one of the world’s great wonders, the Great Barrier Reef. There, you can swim eye to eye with diverse species of fish. You can also visit the Coral Sea, which is to the east of the renowned reef, to watch sharks as they hunt and eat their prey.

Bushwalking

Known as hiking or trekking in most places, bushwalking is a favorite Australian past time. It can be done over the course of one day or multiple days with a camping tent to sleep at night. There are several trails that can be explored on your own, or you can participate in a guided tour. One such tour company is Active Australia, which offers several packages including the Emu Tour. That tour takes customers hiking along Mount Kosciuszko, which is the country's highest mountain. There are also nighttime bushwalking tours. Vision Walks takes customers into Nightcap National Park, which is a United Nations World Heritage site. During the tour participants see nocturnal animals such as bandicoots, pademelons, possums and tawny frogmouth birds.

Ziplining

Ziplining allows you to see the world as a bird would: from the sky. And in Australia, it is a spectacular way to see much of what the country has to offer. There are several reputable companies that offer ziplining tours across the country. Jungle Surfing Canopy Tours, for instance, takes clients over the tree canopy at Cape Tribulation, which is a popular forest location. Clients experience views of not only the tree tops, but streams and even see out to the Great Barrier Reef.