Australia’s east coast is a party mecca, but believe it or not, there is more to do than get your party on. Yes the party scene is immense and yes you’ll meet loads of wicked cool people (that’s right I said wicked cool), but there’s honestly other things you should be spending your hard earned saving on rather than another box of goon. For starters a Fraiser island 4×4 tour and whitsundays sailing adventure are both absolute musts, but even with those prized tickets in your back pocket there’s also other activities you really should consider before handing another $20 note over the bar in return for tomorrow’s hangover.
1. Zorbing
Probably not what you need after a heavy night out, but zorbing is a lot of fun. I’ve been lucky enough to have zorbed more than once and my hydro zorbing experience just outside of Brisbane on Australia’s east coast was by far the best. Inside the giant plastic bubble with two bikini clad Scandinavian girls, we slipped and slid our way to the bottom of a giant hill where our fellow backpackers lay on the ground to create a small jump. Not a bad way to spend an afternoon.
2. Sky diving
There are a few places you can throw yourself out of a plane along Australia’s east coast. Sydney or Mission Beach are probably the most well known. Strapped to someone who know’s that they’re doing, you ‘simply’ have to sit back and enjoy the ride. OK there’s the small matter of 14,000 ft between your plane and the earths surface, but honestly its nothing to worry about. Get your adrenaline fix with roughly 30 seconds worth of free fall, and then once you’re chute is open enjoy the views as you glide back down to earth.
3. Bungee jumping
Not for the faint hearted, but highly recommended, bungee is a buzz like no other. Unlike a tandem sky dive you’re on your own for this one, the onus is on you to make the jump. Leaping from the platform is a strange feeling, time almost stands still, but then things go into fast forward as gravity kicks in and you plummet towards the ground, arms spread as if you were a real life superman. Alas you are not, but the bungee cord attached you ankles will catch you as you fall before slinging you back up into the air again for another, smaller, session of freefall. So where on Australia’s east coast can you experience this? – Cairns baby!
4. Surfing
Ok so an obvious one, but you’d be surprised by the number of backpackers who fail to grab a board and hit the waves. Its true that simply swimming or body surfing is a whole lot cheaper, but surfing is the great Aussie pastime, you need to try it at least once. Riding you first wave and then catching your first bit of green water are amazing feelings. Surfing is also pretty energetic, so its not the worst detox. Where to surf on Australia’s east coast? Take your pick really, Byron Bay, Surfers Paradise and Noosa all offer great surf on their day.
Surfing on Australia’s east coast
5. Scuba diving
Need I say more than The Great Barrier Reef? You’ve all seen Nemo, why wouldnt you want to go and explore the worlds largest coral reef? I mean its something so big it can be seen from outer space, so you know its good! Selected as a world heritage site in 1981 and named by CCN as one of the 7 natural wonders of the world, a days scuba on the reef is another must. Breathing through your mouth is odd at first, but once you get used to it and relax a little you’ll soon find yourself enjoying an underwater paradise. Who knows, maybe you’ll be lucky enough to spot a sea turtle.
