2024 is approaching, and it’s time to start planning your dream vacation. If you’re wondering where to go to create lifetime memories, this list has got you covered. From tropical paradises to iconic cities, these destinations offer a variety of experiences that cater to all sorts of travel preferences. Here are the best vacation destinations for 2024 that you should consider for your next getaway. Continue Reading
You may or may not be the adventurous type, but as the saying goes: “you only live once”. For some, they want to feel that adrenaline rush over and over again, but for others, trying it at least once in their lives is enough.
The East coast of Australia hosts a number of extreme parks, rides, and experiences, which can easily be accessed. Some of these experiences are located in Brisbane, Adelaide, Sydney, and Gold Coast, and the best way to get to these locations is by getting a car hire in Gold Coast or other metros – especially if convenience is number one in your list. Check out our compilation of the best extreme experiences in the eastern seaboard that you must try at least once in your life.
1. Clipsal500 Hot Lap in Adelaide
Experience the thrill of having your head pinned to the head rest and almost fly through air by riding a race car in Adelaide. Clipsal500 Hot Lap gives racing fans a chance to experience the thrill for two whole minutes, alongside Australia’s best race car drivers! Get your tickets here today, as the event will be happening on March 2-5, 2017.
2. Wollongong Tandem Skydiving in Sydney
Skydive over North Wollongong Beach and see dolphins and migrating whales several feet from the air! A professional skydiving instructor will be joining you all throughout the ride, so you need not worry about not being able to maneuver the parachute. Safely jump 14,000 feet from the air, with the speed reaching 120 mph or 193 kph. The round trip transportation from the Sydney CBD to the drop zone will also be included in the fee.
3. Shark Diving Xtreme in Sydney
Have you ever thought about what it’s like to swim with sharks in Australia? Well, now’s your chance to do such. Shark Diving Xtreme in Sydney provides a different scuba diving experience, where divers can get a chance to get up close and personal with large grey nurse sharks, stingrays, sea turtles, and colourful fish. Sharks are the most misunderstood sea creatures, and this experience will teach you why you should not hurt them or be terrified of their presence. You will, of course, dive with an expert through your 30-minute experience with the sharks.
4. Rap Jumping in Melbourne
4. Rap Jumping in MelbourneExperience running face-down from a 7-storey building in Melbourne! Rap jumping or forward abseil running gets your adrenaline rushing by letting you rapel face first down the side of a building. Enjoy awesome views of Melbourne while feeling the adrenaline rush through your body. Instructions and safety equipment will be provided, so no need to worry about anything! You do not need experience to try it as well, as experts will be there to guide you all throughout.
5. iFly Gold Coast: Indoor Skydiving in Gold Coast
If you’re not ready to try the real thing yet, then go ahead and try iFly’s indoor skydiving first. This is suitable for kids, so you can spend the day without having to leave the kids behind! You do not actually have to jump off a plane – all you have to do is lean forward inside a multistory wind tunnel, and you will automatically float in the air! Guests can choose how many flights they want to have, and if they want to share their flights. An expert will also be guiding you all throughout the experience.
6. Rock Climbing at the Kangaroo Point Cliffs in Brisbane
6. Rock Climbing at the Kangaroo Point Cliffs in BrisbaneAlthough Brisbane is known for its CBD, a lot of hidden gems are waiting to be discovered in this city. Kangaroo Point is the perfect place to do rock climbing, as the peak presents a wide and amazing view of the whole city. Brave the rocks and climb 65 feet above the ground, with experienced instructors guiding you to the peak.
7. The Mega Adventure Park in Adelaide
Purchase a ticket from this park and enjoy a two-hour access to all areas. More than fifty obstacles are present in the park, with extras such as the ParaJump and the SkyWalk. Visit the park today and enjoy aerial thrills that this park has to offer!
Have a great adventure and enjoy the awesomeness of Oz!
Included in everyone’s list of must-visit destinations is Sydney, Australia. There are many good reasons why this is one of the most picturesque settings in the world. Defined by the Pacific coastline, Sydney gives its visitors a taste of paradise with its breathtaking view of the harbour and a wide array of activities, shops, and beaches everyone can go to. Even finding the perfect hotel accommodation in Sydney would be a breeze because there are so many options for all kinds of travellers.
But one of the biggest problems travellers usually face when they are abroad is not where to go and which places to visit; it is simply how to navigate in a foreign country. Here we will talk about the different modes of transportation you can depend on if you want to see more of what Sydney has to offer.
Buses
The great thing about buses is they go around everywhere. In what whatever country you go to, buses are one of the most reliable modes of transportation. If you do not want to limit yourself to places like the Circular Quay area, the public buses can help you get around the wide area of metropolitan Sydney. Bus fares differ, and it is cheaper the farther you go. You can look up bus passes that offer a couple of rides for a discounted price.
There are also sightseeing buses that pass through different places of interest. Just by riding this, you can visit the Sydney Opera House, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair, the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Kings Cross, and so much more.
Ferry
Sydney, being defined by the rugged Pacific coastline, is also best viewed from the clear blue waters that surround it. The main ferry terminal can be found at Circular Quay, and you can easily look up ferry schedules and routes on the Manly Fast Ferry website. This will give you a perfect panoramic view of Sydney and all the people that are going about their business.
Metro Light Rail
Transit is also the best ways for you not to get lost. The Metro Light Rail offers a day pass which you can use to go around Sydney through their trams. You will easily reach places like Chinatown, the Star Casino, Darling Harbour, Paddy’s Markets, and Sydney’s Fish Markets. And if you have been buying a lot of stuff in most shops you can find there, a tram can be one of your best options so that you are not lugging your items around.
Taxi
Another sure way not to get lost in Sydney is through taxi. They have a system that is the same as other cab companies in the world. Your travels with them are metered, and expect that they can be a bit expensive. But if there are no other options left, cabs are the best choice for you.
Car
Renting a car in a foreign country can be a bit of a doozy especially if you only have the help of a GPS or a map to navigate through the city. But it is also one of the best ways to get to know the city more and see much of what it can offer. It is like living like a local, albeit a bit confusing at first and complicated at best.
Walking
Once you get an opportunity to walk to a certain place, do it. It is one of the ways in which you can immerse yourself in a foreign country and get a glimpse on how they traverse the streets of Sydney daily.
These are the ways in which you can see much of Sydney and all that it wants to show you. Pretty sure if you are planning on spending a huge amount of time relaxing at the coast, you will be riding a few of these a couple of times.
Guest Post
The Melbourne/Sydney rivalry will always exist. Whichever side you’re on, it can’t be denied they are two very different places. Sydney’s jewel is the harbour and the coastline stretching north and south of those magnificent heads. Melbourne has the Bay, and its own fairly spectacular set of beaches not too far away. But many would argue Melbourne’s social, shopping and music scene is a cut above Sydney even though, in the past couple of years, Sydney has stepped up the pace with its own series of hole-in-the-wall establishments.
Perhaps the one thing that sets Melbourne above Sydney in the ‘city life stakes’ is its set of laneways and arcades. Nowhere in Sydney compares to the maze like network of almost European looking stretches of tiny cafes, shops and boutiques. For anyone Melbourne bound, here’s a ‘where to laneway’ guide:
- Liverpool and Crossley Street: Once a ‘lady of the night’ haunt, these two streets now offer less illicit delights. For bite sized Asian eateries Liverpool’s your best bet. Crossley will take you into the world of vintage shopping with a handful of popular lunch and dinner spots.
- Meyers Place: Just off Bourke Street, if you were going to spend time in one laneway, this would be it. Bar it, art gallery it, eat it. This is a strip not to be missed.
- Street art collections: Impossible to name just one laneway, street art graces the walls of passages all over Melbourne.
Much of the work is commissioned, turning brick facades into public art galleries that even give Berlin a run for its street art money. Some of the best examples can be found in Hoiser Lane, Union Lane, Cocker Alley (go here to see acclaimed Banksy!), Caledonian Lane, Rutledge Lane and Spark Lane. That should keep you busy. - Music lovers: If music in a confined space is what you’re after, especially jazz, make a bee line to Bennetts Lane. For a different feel, seek out ‘ACDC Lane’ or Dame Edna Place. Yes, it does exist.
- Hitting the shops: In each of the following laneways, you’ll not only find shops and boutiques to satisfy even the most committed shopaholic, but ‘watering and feeding’ pit stops along the way. You want to get to Manchester Lane, Equitable Place, Howey Place (a purely fashion), Scott Alley and Jane Bell Lane.
- The must dos: Degraves Street and Hardware Lane. These are the classic laneways no visitor to Melbourne should miss. Think al fresco dining, coffee and hole in the wall shops and bars.
- China town: Last but not least, take a spin through the alleyways of China town for some dumpling delights. Head to Little Bourke Street, Tattersalls Lane, Celestial Lane and Market Lane.
With all that under your belt there’s no excuse not to get to Melbourne and wander the eclectic and diverse laneways. Cheap flights in Australia are not hard to come by so, wherever you are, keep your eye out for flights to Melbourne and come and discover the true heart of the city.
If all else fails, take yourself and some good walking shoes out and see what you can discover.