From meeting new people, to exploring great places, the excitement never stops in Australia and New Zealand. In the land down under it’s nearly impossible not to find an adventure that suits your taste! Whether you’re an adrenaline junky or just like to try new things and take in the scenery, Australia and New Zealand have it all. Here are my top 5 recommended adventure activities from my travels down under.
1. Nevis Bungy in Queenstown, New Zealand
Queenstown, also known as the adventure capital of the world, is known for its many bungy jump and canyon swing options. For the ultimate adrenaline junky, test your limits by jumping 440 feet and falling for 8.5 seconds on the Nevis Bungy. This was by far the scariest but best thing I did all semester.
2. Skydive over the beach
Face your fears and jump out of plane from 14,000 feet up for a surreal and thrilling experience. There’s nothing like skydiving over the beach and seeing Australia’s beautiful landscape from a bird’s-eye view.
3. Franz Josef glacier heli-hike
Hiking Franz Josef glacier in New Zealand’s South Island is a unique and once in a lifetime adventure. On the hike we flew by helicopter over the rainforest at the base of the glacier, landed on the ice, and hiked up the glacier and through unbelievable ice caves. This is one activity where I paused to take in the incredible experience that was before me.
4. Scuba dive in the Great Barrier Reef
Since Australia is home to the Great Barrier Reef, the worlds largest coral reef system, scuba diving (and snorkeling) is a must-do activity. Explore the reefs from 30 feet under for a breathtaking view of a famous scuba diving hot spot. Just watch out for jellyfish!
5. Surf at Bondi Beach
On any day you’ll find tons of surfers at Australia’s beaches. Whether you want to catch a big wave or have a few laughs, a surfing lesson is great way to experience the Aussie culture. And what’s better than surfing at Bondi, Australia’s most iconic beach?
The opportunities are endless and it’s hard to pick just five adventures. Get out there and do it all! Honorable mentions: White water rafting, kayaking at Fitzroy Island, bushwalking (hiking) in the Blue Mountains, climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge, sand boarding at Port Stephens, riding in a cable car above the rainforest in Cairns, wakeboarding with the UNSW waterski club, and skiing in New Zealand.
Laura Mittelmann is a student at the University of Maryland and a TEAN Student Ambassador. Laura studied abroad with TEAN in Sydney, Australia.
