Whip up once-in-a-lifetime memories with the country’s best thrill-seeking adventures.

Tackling new terrain by foot is absolutely rewarding but living life on the wild side often leads to purely exhilarating escapades. From up-close encounters with our gnarliest underwater creatures to marvelling in scenery from dizzying heights, Australia’s most awesome adrenaline rushes provide holiday memories you’ll never forget.

1. Arro Jet on the Gold Coast, Qld

Slice and dice the Gold Coast’s twinkling Broadwater onboard Arro Jet, a 28-seater jet boat that skims the surface as it cranks out 360-degree doughnuts, sharp twists and high-speed charges.

You’ll be strapped in for around 30 glorious minutes as trained drivers expertly navigate the waters surrounding SeaWorld, one of the Gold Coast’s best kid-friendly non-negotiables, and beyond. Don’t wear anything fancy because salty spritzes come on tap, offering fast-paced, giggle-worthy thrills.

2. Swim with Ningaloo whale sharks in Exmouth, WA

Home to the mighty Whale Shark, the world’s largest fish, Ningaloo on the Coral Coast in Western Australia’s Exmouth is best explored offshore.

Ningaloo Whale Sharks run tours along Ningaloo Reef where you’ll be perfectly poised for an epic whale shark encounter in pristine waters. They guarantee you’ll spot one or some, and offer a complimentary follow-up tour if you don’t, and swimmers of any proficiency are welcome.

3. Bungy jump at Skypark Cairns, Qld

Stopping over in Cairns? Extend your trip to take advantage of Australia’s only bungy jump at Skypark Cairns, an adventure park set in a tropical rainforest.

It’s a 20-minute drive from the city and its bungy looms 50 metres above a beautiful lagoon you’ll skim at full extension. If the full hog is too intimidating, there’s also an elevated plank to walk and several other jump experiences.

4. Climb or abseil Mount Arapiles, Vic

Towering at 230 metres above ground level, Mount Arapiles in Victoria’s Grampians is a rock scaler’s dream. Whether you’re keen to climb up or abseil down, more than 3000 routes provide plenty of options as dramatic cliffs and picture-perfect peaks beckon in every direction.

Local rock climbing guides are your safest bet if you’re just getting started so look into Arapiles Climbing Guides and The Climbing Company for an adventure that’s made for you.

5. Go canyoning in the Blue Mountains, NSW

Navigate your way safely down spectacular cascading mountain streams with a canyoning expedition in NSW’s Blue Mountains.

The team at Blue Mountains Adventure Company run tours for beginners and advanced canyoners where swimming, jumping, abseiling, hiking and climbing combine to provide the ultimate thrill-seeking experience amid untouched natural scenery.

6. Raft the Franklin River, Tas

Guaranteed to set pulses racing, white water rafting is a thrill from beginning to end. Tasmania’s Franklin River is one of Australia’s most spectacular, and wildest, waterways, making your bucket list adventure even more memorable.

Sign up with a local tour company like Franklin River Rafting, for the safest and most rewarding (quoll and platypus spotting, anyone?) experiences.

7. Skydive the Vines in McLaren Vale, SA

Savour wine country from a whole new perspective by signing onto Skydive the Vines in South Australia’s McLaren Vale. Thrill seekers kick off their skydiving adventure at Leconfield Wines where the team take guests through extensive training before leaping out of a plane above Aldinga Airfield. A six-minute descent over lush vineyards is followed by vino and a cheese platter once everyone’s back on solid ground.

8. Skydive the coastline at Rottnest Island, WA

Prefer water to winery views as you’re freefalling through the sky? Tick off your bucket list with a skydiving journey over Rottnest Island in Western Australia. You’ll jump from around 15,000 feet above ground level with Skydive Geronimo, catching views all the way out to Perth city and all that spectacular coastline, before landing on one of the island’s Instagram-perfect white sand beaches.

9. Dive with crocodiles at Crocosaurus Cove, NT

Face off with one of the world’s most feared predators, safely, in the heart of Darwin. Enormous saltwater crocodiles can be spied underwater through Crocosaurus Cove’s Cage of Death experience where thrill seekers are seated in a glass cage and lowered into the water for 15 breathtaking minutes.

Even crazier, the crocs are fed while you’re down there so their infamous wide-mouthed snaps are guaranteed.

10. Reach new heights at Melbourne Skydeck, Vic

Soak up our culture capital from an all-new perspective. Melbourne Skydeck is the highest observation deck in the Southern Hemisphere, sitting pretty at 300 metres above ground and offering unbelievable views across the city.

There’s a bunch of experiences to choose from but daredevils should head straight to the Edge, a glass cube that’s suspended off Skydeck to provide the most dizzying of capers.

11. Race cars at Sydney Motorsport Park, NSW

Adrenaline junkies should hot-foot it to Sydney Motorsport Park to get their high-speed hit.

Home to a range of training and experiences including the Fastrack V8 Race Experience alongside a professional race car driver and the Supercar Drive Experience within a luxe Lambo, Ferrari or Lotus, the state-of-the-art park is a car lover’s ultimate paradise.

12. Bike the desert with Outback Motorcycle Adventures, NT

Tear it up in the country’s red centre with one of several motorcycle-based escapades in the Northern Territory. Outback Motorcycle Adventures offers everything from multi-day two-wheeling Simpson Desert and Uluru tours to expert navigations of the famous Finke Desert Race, a dirt biker’s ultimate ride. Camping gear and meals are also included with some of the options so investigate thoroughly for a perfect bucket list fit.

13. Hang glide over the Huon River, Tas

Been there, done the Huon Valley? Probably not like this. The stunning Huon River, which runs through Tasmania’s esteemed food and wine region, provides ideal conditions for a spot of hang gliding, a precious factoid Tahune Adventures have well and truly cottoned onto.

The team operate a three-to-four-minute Eagle Hang Glider experience that lifts you 50 metres into the air as it propels you 400 metres across the idyllic waters. Short, sweet and utterly sensational.

14. Jet ski Stradbroke Island, Qld

Flanked by Moreton Bay and the Coral Sea, North Stradbroke Island is a haven for picture-perfect water sports. And arguably the most thrilling activity of all? Tackling it via a jet ski.

Soar across the surface at lightning speed with expert guidance from Jet Ski Safaris, a company that specialises in jet ski tours in addition to offering all the equipment you’ll need.