Sea Kayaking: Kayaking is a great way to explore Queensland's Whitsunday Islands as well as Dunk Island off Mission Beach in Queensland. Rivergods (tel. 08/9259 0749; www.rivergods.com.au), in Perth, even takes you on a sea-kayaking day trip to snorkel with wild sea lions and to watch penguins feeding. This Western Australian company also runs multiday expeditions past whales, dolphins, and sharks in Shark Bay, and over coral at Ningaloo Reef on the Northwest Cape.
Horse Trekking in the Snowy Mountains (NSW): Ride the ranges like the man from Snowy River, staying in bush lodges or camping beneath the stars.
Abseiling (Rappelling) in the Blue Mountains (NSW): Careening backward down a cliff face with the smell of eucalyptus in your nostrils is not everyone's idea of fun, but you sure know you're alive. Several operators welcome novices and the more experienced.
White-Water Rafting on the Tully River (QLD): The Class III to IV rapids of the Tully River swoosh between lush, rainforested banks. The guides are professional, and the rapids are just hairy enough to be fun. It's a good choice for first-time rafters.
Four-Wheel-Driving on Fraser Island (QLD): All roads here are sand, and even spectacular 75-Mile Beach is a designated road. Getting around by 4X4 on the biggest sand island in the world is quite an experience. The island is ecologically important and popular with nature lovers. Hike its eucalyptus forests and rainforests, swim its clear lakes, and fish off the beach.
Game Fishing: Battle a black marlin off Cairns and you might snare the world record; that's how big they get down there. Marlin and other game catches run around much of the Australian coastline -- Broome and Exmouth, in Western Australia, and Darwin in the Top End are also hot spots.
Canoeing the Top End (NT): Paddling between the sun-drenched ocher walls of Katherine Gorge sharpens the senses, especially when a (harmless) freshwater crocodile pops up! Gecko Canoeing (tel. 1800/634 319 in Australia, or 08/8972 2224; www.geckocanoeing.com.au) will take you downriver to the rarely explored Flora and Daly River systems to visit Aboriginal communities, shower under waterfalls, hike virgin bushland, and camp in swags on the banks.
Surfing in Margaret River (WA): A 90-minute surf lesson with four-time Western Australia surf champ Josh Palmateer is a great introduction to the sport -- if only to hear Josh's Aussie accent! In August, Josh shifts his classes to Cable Beach in Broome.
Skiing in the Victorian Alps (VIC): When you've had enough coral and sand -- and if it's winter -- you can hit the slopes in Victoria. Where else can you swish down the mountain between gum trees?
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
