5 Adventures in Melbourne
Have you spent way too long hunched over your laptop, watching YouTube videos of cool people doing cool things? Or perhaps most of your time is spent scrolling TikTok endlessly, caught in a loop of watching trendy travel videos. If that is the case, it looks like you’re in sore need of an adventure. Lucky for you, Melbourne has all sorts of epic experiences for you to try. From diving with sharks to tandem skydiving from 15,000 feet high in the sky, here are the best ways to get your adrenaline on and satisfy your thrill-seeking needs the next time you hit up Melbs for your next vacay.
Perform your best impression of a flying squirrel when you zipline over the ground at the Otway Fly Treetop Adventures. There are other ways to explore the rich Aussie rainforest here, like taking an exhilarating stroll in the rainforest canopy, one of only four steel walkway canopies in the world. You can also climb up the 47-metre Spiral Tower to soak in stunning views of the region’s flora and fauna, and work your calves on the forest trail, dotted with whimsical models of fairy houses, pixie hollows, and dragons.
Cappadocia and Bagan may be more famous for their sunrise balloon rides. But don’t discount going for one in good ol’ Melbourne. Have an early start to your day, and go for a morning adventure. Conquer your fear of heights by hopping on a giant balloon and rise with the sun as you float high in the sky above towering skyscrapers, following the Yarra River as it gently winds through parks and gardens. Besides capturing incredible photos for the gram, you’ll get one of the best views in Australia.
As great a city as Melbourne is, the weather tends to be notoriously fickle – think long winters, short summers, and torrential rain. Don’t let that deter you from having a great time. You can get adventurous indoors as well. One thing you can do is dive with the sharks at the SEA LIFE Aquarium, found right in the heart of the CBD. Put your courage to the test at Shark Dive Xtreme. And come face-to-face with the apex predators of the ocean. Even cooler? Your swim is not a cageless experience. So, you will be truly up close and personal with these kings of the sea.
What beats the thrill of tandem skydiving? Quite nothing, frankly. If it’s your virgin skydiving experience, going on your first expedition in Melbourne is a good start. Experience the ultimate adrenaline rush when you free-fall from the St. Kilda drop zone, the closest skydiving centre to the CBD. You’ll drop from an insane height of 15,000-feet for an electrifying 60 seconds of a life-changing adventure. Get ready to be mindblown as you float afterward for five minutes and soak in the sublime 360-degree views of the sparkling Port Philip Bay.
We all have that one friend who insists that they would never watch a horror movie because why pay to scare themselves? Well, why not? For all you brave souls out there, the Melbourne ghost tour is an activity that will be right up your alley. On this tour, go over to the dark side of Melbourne as you visit haunted locations with spine-chilling histories. And put on a whole new meaning to nightlife as you take a paranormal trip to some of the scariest places in the city, like Altona Homestead, Point Cook Homestead, Old Melbourne, and Pentridge Prison D Division.
