Feel the Thrill: Best Outdoor Adventures in Queensland

Home to laidback beach towns, serene hinterland towns and almost deserted islands, a Queensland holiday is the perfect chance to unwind. But, with over 1.8 million square kilometres to explore, Queensland also offers plenty of opportunity to spike your adrenaline. After all, the best kind of holidays are the ones that mix relaxation with exhilaration.

Whether you’re seeking thrills on land, in the air or under the sea, here are eight of the best outdoor adventures in Queensland.

MY-HOLIDAY-People-Bungy-Jumping-at-Skypark-Cairns-by-AJ-Hackett-in-CairnsBrave Australia’s only bungy jump

Did you know that Cairns is home to Australia’s only bungy jump? Located in the heart of Tropical North Queensland, the 50-metre, world-famous bungy tower at Skypark Cairns by AJ Hackett offers a rush like no other. Choose from a 16-option ‘Jump Menu’, including blindfolded jumps, forward flips and even riding a BMX off the edge! Plus, you’ll enjoy a birds-eye view of Cairns’ northern beaches and out to the Great Barrier Reef before you throw yourself into the rainforest below.

Think that bungy jumping may be a little too daring for you? Opt instead for the Giant Swing, which will have you soaring above the rainforest canopy at speeds of up to 120km/h! Skypark is also home to Cairns’ highest viewing platform, Walk the Plank, which offers panoramic views from 140 metres high. Whatever your thrill level, Skypark has some of the best outdoor adventures in Queensland.

MY-HOLIDAY-Woman-Skydiving-in-QueenslandLeap from 10,000 ft in the air

Nothing says outdoor adventure quite like throwing yourself out of a plane some 10,000 ft in the air. Luckily, there are plenty of places in Queensland to tick this epic moment off your bucket list. Opt for any of Queensland’s skydiving experiences and find yourself freefalling over some of the most extraordinary scenery on earth. Reach heights beyond Australia’s tallest building on the Gold Coast, soar above island paradise with a Whitsundays skydive or get a bird’s-eye view of the Great Barrier Reef. No matter where you’re holidaying in Queensland, an amazing skydiving adventure awaits – if you’re brave enough to take the plunge, of course.

MY-HOLIDAY-Couple-holiding-eachother-whilst-watching-hot-air-balloon-inflateBask in the morning light on a hot air balloon

For a more tranquil ‘in the air’ experience, consider adding a hot air balloon experience to your Queensland holiday. Considered the world’s oldest form of flight, hot air ballooning offers a unique vantage point from which to admire Queensland’s sublime landscapes. Just be prepared to get up at the crack of dawn, as balloons are launched at first light to take advantage of the time of day when the atmosphere is most stable (although the views are always worth the early wake-up!). There are several places in Queensland to hot air balloon, the most popular including the Atherton Tablelands, Gold Coast Hinterland and Sunshine Coast Hinterland.

MY-HOLIDAY-Woman-Snorkelling-at-the-great-barrier-reef-QueeenslandLearn to scuba dive at the Great Barrier Reef

With 2900 kilometres of reef stretching across the state’s coastline, half of Queensland’s magic lies beneath the surface. Queensland is a scuba diver’s paradise, with dozens of coral reefs, shipwrecks and even underwater sculptures to discover. And if you’ve never dived before, what better place to learn than the Great Barrier Reef? Enrol in an SSI (Scuba Schools International) or PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) course and spend your Queensland holiday exploring one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World. Amongst the many marine creatures you’ll witness are the Great Eight: whales, manta rays, clownfish, potato cod, giant clams, Maori wrasse and sharks. This Queensland adventure is one you’ll remember forever.

MY-HOLIDAY-Aerial-view-of-a-boat-and-a-jetski-in-broadwater-parklandsTake to the Gold Coast Broadwater on a jet ski or jet boat

If you’re looking for some high-speed fun on the water, the Gold Coast is the Queensland holiday destination for you. Separated from the ocean by Stradbroke Island, the calm waters of Gold Coast Broadwater are perfect for water sports. Experience extreme jet boating fun with Paradise Jet Boating, where sightseeing is combined with 360-degree spins, high-speed drifting and other exciting manoeuvres. Or take to the wheel yourself with a Jet Ski Safari tour and feel the exhilaration as you zip over the Gold Coast’s sheltered ocean waters, stopping off at the tropical South Stradbroke Island along the way. Whichever of these outdoor adventures you choose, a thrilling time is guaranteed.

MY-HOLIDAY-Aerial-view-of-Moreton-Island-Ship-WreckScale iconic Queensland landmarks

Take your Queensland outdoor adventure to new heights by scaling the Story Bridge, Brisbane’s most iconic structure. Climbing to the 80-metre summit is easily the best way to see the city, with stunning views of the skyline and its surrounds, including the Glass House Mountains in the north, Moreton Bay in the east and the Scenic Rim in the south. Just an hour south on the Gold Coast, you can also tackle the SkyPoint Climb, Australia’s highest external building climb. At 270 metres high, you’ll enjoy 360-degree views of the Gold Coast’s golden beaches, lush green hinterland and towering skyscrapers.

MY-HOLIDAY-Aerial-view-of-whalesong-cruise-boat-and-whalesSwim with the giants of the deep

You’ll have trouble finding a better place to swim with whales than Queensland. After all, the Sunshine State is home to the world’s first whale heritage site, Hervey Bay, which is where humpback whales congregate in the calm, shallow waters as they travel from the Antarctic to the Northern Tropics. Little can compare to the heart-racing experience of getting in the water with these gentle giants, which you can do in various destinations along the Queensland coast. The best time to swim with whales depends on where in Queensland you visit. For instance, you’ll be able to witness humpback whales on the Fraser Coast and Sunshine Coast from June to November, while the more elusive dwarf minke whales can be found in the waters of the Outer Great Barrier Reef in June and July.

MY-HOLIDAY-People-swimming-in-waterhole-in-Tully-River-CairnsConquer the whitewater rapids of the Wet Tropics Rainforest

The lush rainforest landscapes of Tropical North Queensland are almost like a giant natural playground, with plenty of outdoor adventures to be had. Take for instance the fast-flowing rivers of the Wet Tropics, which you can conquer during a whitewater rafting experience. There are two main whitewater rafting locations in the Wet Tropics, the most central to Cairns being Barron Gorge National Park. Here, you can raft your way through grade two and three rapids, making it the perfect choice for first-timers. Meanwhile, those seeking an extra dose of adrenaline can’t miss the grade three and four rapids of the Tully River, which has earned an international reputation as Australia’s best whitewater rafting destination.

Find your kind of adventure with My Queensland

No matter what kind of thrill you seek, outdoor adventures await at every turn in Queensland. Discover your adrenaline-packed holiday with My Queensland, perfectly packaged with bonus inclusions like resort credits, room upgrades, local experiences and so much more!

Find your next Queensland adventure today.

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