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Were you planning on traveling overseas in 2021?

With the Coronavirus pandemic keeping Australia’s international borders shut, outdoor adventure lovers have been turning to their own backyard for fun, thrills and unforgettable experiences.

With 1 out of every 11 Queenslander directly or indirectly employed by the tourism industry, the reduction in overseas visitors means there’s no end to the jaw-dropping, hair-raising adventures on offer for Australians looking for a great deal, and a great time.

From leaping off ledges with a bungy cord around your ankles, to experiencing the Great Barrier Reef from above and below, and guided off road tours in your own powerful 4x4, Queensland has something for all adventure lovers.

Here’s our list of the top 10 adventure activities to try in Queensland.

1. Skydive the Gold Coast

No list of adventure activities is complete without skydiving.

Tick off this bucket list adventure as you freefall for 45 seconds over the stunning white sands of the Gold Coast at 12,000 feet. Start with a quick safety briefing then climb to the clouds on a 20 minute flight that showcases the very best of Queensland’s postcard ready beaches. Then it’s time to muster up your courage as you jump from your plane and feel the full force of gravity. Hitting speeds of up to 200 km/h this is a white knuckle journey from the heavens back to the Queensland soil.

There’s plenty of time to soak up the views though with 5 minutes of blissful gliding through blue skies until you land back on the ground - legs shaking, heart pumping, and with a memory you’ll never forget.

Ready to jump from 12,000 feet? Find out more here

2. Humpback Whale watching

Who’s ready for a whale of a time?

Whale watching cruises depart from Maloolaba between June and November to spot the mighty and majestic humpback whale in its natural habitat. Keep your cameras close by as you spot these incredible animals up close and personal - breaching, splashing their tails and spyhopping (popping their head above water for a cheeky look around). Best of all, if you don’t spot whales you can cruise again for FREE during the season, so there’s a whale sighting guaranteed. Keep an eye out for turtles, minke whales, and dolphins too - you never know who you’ll meet out on the water. Ready to spot a whale? Find out more here

3. Parasail the Gold Coast

There’s no better way to enjoy the pristine Gold Coast landscape than from the air, and no more relaxing way to soar through the skies than a parasailing adventure.

Board a purpose-built boat designed to get you out of busy tourist waters and into your own tranquil patch of paradise. Then it’s into your harness and up into the sky as you drift leisurely 350 feet above the Gold Coast. Across the next 8 minutes you’ll have the best seat in the house - 360 degree views of sandy beaches, lush greenery, and the sparkling blue ocean below.

A heart pumping journey into the sky, followed by a relaxing ride. All in a day’s work for a Queensland parasailer.

Ready to soar through the sky? Find out more here

4. Fly over the Great Barrier Reef

Covering 348,700 km², the Great Barrier Reef is an Australian icon, the world's largest coral reef, and a World Heritage Site. Now it’s yours to enjoy from the sky with a scenic flight over this natural miracle.

Jump on board a flight that takes you over Queensland’s most breath-taking scenery including:

• The Great Barrier Reef
• Heart Reef
• Hill Inlet
• Hayman Island
• Daydream Island
• Hardy Reef
• Whitehaven Beach

You’ll see turquoise-blue water shimmering below and the whitest sand beaches in the world. And to top it off, you’re guaranteed a window seat to take in the majesty of the Great Barrier Reef with unobstructed views.

Ready to fly over the Great Barrier Reef? Find out more here

5. Queensland’s newest guided off road tours

If you’ve got a need for speed there’s only one choice - a guided off road tour handling an absolute beast of a 4x4 buggy.

Recently launched, off road buggy tours unlock excitement and speed by carving paths through previously unreachable local terrain. Strapped into a safe and comfortable 4x4 buggy, use your fully automated power steering to bash, slog and push your way through Queensland’s Landcruiser Mountain Park or Scenic Rim Park. Mud, water, rocks - no match for your new all terrain vehicle.

Opt for a beginner course, or show off your off road skills on an advanced course, there’s an option here for solo travellers, adventurous families or adrenaline-fueled couples. Fun, new and in Queensland’s own backyard, guided off road tours are an adventure lover’s dream.

Ready to go off road? Find out more here

6. Zipline Tamborine Mountain

What do you get when you mix stunning tropical rainforest with 70km/h speeds?

A zipline adventure through Queensland’s gorgeous Tamborine Mountain!

This 3-hour tour takes you on a high speed adventure over treetops with 7 monster ziplines for you to traverse (if you’re brave enough). This is the largest, highest AND fastest zipline tour in all of Australia, so be prepared for some serious fun. After completing your safety briefing and getting strapped in, you’ll be going forwards, backwards, and upside down as you skim over the lush canopy at heights of 60 metres.

For the truly brave, there’s also the white-knucle ‘trust fall’ to try. Only at Tamborine Mountain.

Ready to zip through the trees? Find out more here

7. Gold Coast theme parks

Twist upside down on a hair-raising roller coaster. Meet your favourite superheroes before lunch. Finish up soaking wet and flying down a water slide. All in a day’s work on the Gold Coast’s trio of theme parks.

Warner Bros. Movie World, Sea World, and Wet n’ Wild World are a must-visit attraction on the sunny Gold Coast offering fun for families, couples and solo thrill seekers. From the largest Hypercoaster in the Southern Hemisphere to meeting polar bears face to face, there’s no shortage of activities to fill your day and make you smile.

When Queensland is home to Australia’s best theme parks, you shouldn’t have to choose between them - so why not spend the day at all 3!

Ready for some theme park fun? Find out more here

8. Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef

What better way to enjoy the Great Barrier Reef than swimming among the incredible wildlife and stunning coral reefs?

Set sail from Cairns with everything you need for an unforgettable day. This includes your snorkelling equipment, wetsuit, life jacket and foam noodles for anyone who wants to spend less energy swimming and more time relaxing.

With more than 400 coral species, not to mention 5,000 marine life species, the underwater experience is truly once-in-a-lifetime. And when you’re done spotting the turtles, fish, rays and dolphins it’s back on the boat for a delicious BBQ lunch (meat, seafood, vegetarian and vegan options provided).

Now that’s a day in paradise.

Ready to snorkel the Great Barrier Reef? Find out more here

9. Currumbin flying fox course

Queensland is full of family-friendly activities where little kids (and big kids) can play. Located inside Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, the TreeTop Challenge is a fun and challenging aerial adventure with over 80 challenges - including 11 monster ziplines to have the little ones screaming with joy.

More than a good time, kids get to traverse the course above some of Australia’s most iconic animals, including kangaroos, crocodiles, emus and dingos. With lots to learn as kids move from course to course, Mums and Dads can even sit back and enjoy a (well-earned) rest with 1-3 hours recommended for kids to complete the treetop course.

Ready to fly over the animals? Find out more here

10. Bungy Jumping

The ultimate thrill, bungy jumping will test the resolve of the bravest Australian. Standing 50 metres above the ground, do you have what it takes to leap into the unknown?

Located in Cairns, this Queensland adventure activity offers 16 different jump styles ranging from the scary to the downright insane. Leap with a classic swan dive, or opt to kiss the water on your way down. Feeling brave? Take the plunge blindfolded or backwards. Still looking for more of a thrill? Take a forward flip or ride off the edge on a BMX bike to the gasps of the watching crowd.

Completely safe, with over 27 years of experience, the Cairns bungy is perfect for the ultra-adventurous and also offers Australia’s only Giant Jungle Swing where you and up to 2 other people can strap in and hit speeds of 120 km/h as you swing through the air.

Ready to take the ultimate leap of faith? Find out more here

What’s your next Queensland adventure going to be?

Covid-19 has changed the way Australians travel, with an estimated 10 million travel-hungry locals unable to pull out the passport and head overseas. Frustrating at first, this has allowed local attractions to stand out and provide fun for families, couples and solo adventurers looking for new experiences.

Queensland is more than pristine beaches and sunny weather. From guided off road tours to heart-stopping ziplines to theme parks, and everything in between. When you need an adventure activity in Queensland, these are the top 10 to get you started.

So there’s only one question left - where will you begin?