Extreme Activities in Gold Coast
In the city of Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia, your next outdoor adventure awaits. Whether you’re exploring the beach at Surfers Paradise or the lush trails at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Walk, there’s always something for everyone. It’s no wonder many adrenaline junkies come here to have fun because the city has everything you need.
Photo credit: Shanenk
But choosing an outdoor adventure can get a little daunting at first. For starters, there can be varying intensities to each activity. Some may prefer to prioritise their safety and stick to their comfort zone, while others are eager to take the leap of faith. Lucky for you, I’m here to help. When you’re looking to take on the wild side of things, here are 10 extreme activities on the Gold Coast for thrill seekers.
Photo credit: OZ & SUSAN
Surfers Paradise is one of the most famous attractions in the Gold Coast. It’s a beach lover’s wet dream, and there’s so much you can do here! You can go club-hopping at night, go shopping, or chill at one of the cafes. But most importantly, you can fall in love with the glittering skylines — one way you can do this is a kayaking tour in the heart of the city.
Kayaking is a great activity for those who want to be one with the water. While it’s usually associated with fast-flowing rivers, you will find yourself gliding through the Nerang River. Starting from Budds Beach, your journey takes you through the rich heart of Surfers Paradise. Fall in love with the city and the clear blue skies in the comforts of your private kayak. If you’re lucky, you’d get to see marine life along the way.
Photo credit: Skypoint
For years, the Q1 Tower in Queensland doubled as a residential resort and a tourist attraction in Surfers Paradise. The skyscraper stands at 322.5-metres tall, making it the tallest building in Australia. But if you move further up, you’ll discover the real attraction — the SkyPoint Observation Deck. It’s right on top of the Q1 tower, and it’s close to experiencing what it’d be like to be on top of the world!
But let’s take the city views up a notch. At this very observation deck, you can embark on a Skypoint Climb 270 metres off the ground. For a period of 90 minutes, an experienced climber will guide you to the top which is located at the spire. You’ll be connected to an internal handrail for safety, occasionally making a few stops to admire the view below.
Photo credit: Treetop Challenge
If water isn’t your favourite element, let’s switch to earth for a second. At Tamborine Mountain, you can dive into a lush green getaway outside of the city. There are rainforests and national parks aplenty, with a notable dining scene in town. You can spend a day covering the nature trails at any of these parks, and end it with a drink or two. But if your heart still lies with extreme-filled fun, we’ve got you!
Tambourine Mountain’s Treetop Challenge is perfect for friends and families alike. With a rope and a harness, you can reach as tall as the treetops! A fan favourite would be their flying fox activity, which lets you zipline through the rainforest and snag a panoramic view of the town. After that, you can test your fear of heights and tackle their unique obstacle course
Photo credit: Paradise Jet Boating (Facebook)
In case a single jet ski ride didn’t suffice, let us introduce you to the ultimate jet boat ride of a lifetime! For 55 minutes, you can take a scenic route to watch dolphins leap through the air at Moreton Marine Bay Park and pass by the waterfront mansions at Sovereign Island. But the ride doesn’t stop there — hang on tight for an additional 30km because you’re in for a wild treat! You’ll get 360-degree spins on the water, power slides, and skim through the water surface at high speeds. What more could you ask for?
But let’s say you’re on a time crunch and really want to experience it in Gold Coast before you leave. Fret not, Paradise Jet Boating offers the same thrills for thirty minutes at Broadwater at Main Beach. The ride will take you to Wave Break Island and back to the Marina, simple as that.
Photo credit: Destination Gold Coast Official Website
Tandem skydiving in the Gold Coast is arguably the epitome of thrill. Kick off your experience with an open-door helicopter ride over Surfers Paradise which feels like something out of an action movie. Right below, you’d get to see the sprawling beaches of the famed Australian coast and even New South Wales’s Coolangatta! When you’re 10,000 feet in the air, get ready to jump down freefall because it’s guaranteed to give you a great time.
On the other hand, if tandem skydiving sounds too extreme for you, iFly Gold Coast offers indoor skydiving sessions. Float through high-speed winds in a 365-degree clear tunnel, and if you close your eyes for a second, it’s almost the same as skydiving outdoors! You can come alone, or in groups, though the latter is more fun. First-timer or not, there are various packages to choose from, ranging from packages for beginners to advanced levels.
Photo credit: Gold Coast Hydrofoil Tours (Facebook)
So we’ve touched on helicopter and jet ski tours. But what if I told you that you could do the same, but with a water hoverboard? Gold Coast Hydrofoil Tours offers exactly that. Hydrofoiling is the latest watersport that’s been gaining a lot of popularity among locals and tourists alike. Upon first glance, it may look like you’re surfing the waters, when in reality, you’re not.
With a two–hour lesson and a guided tour, you can transport yourself through the iridescent water canals. eFoiling is relatively easy to master on your first try, which makes it a great activity for beginner thrill seekers!
Photo credit: Richard Ling
For the past two decades or so, scuba diving and snorkelling have been two of the top outdoor activities on the Gold Coast. The Gold Coast Seaway is perfect for scuba diving, and its reputation is without fault for a good reason. Divers can encounter clear waters and coral reefs, as well as much marine life. Likewise, snorkelling is just as popular — you can encounter over 50 species of fish, and dive into the canals as deep as 15 metres.
Queensland Scuba Diving caters to all ages with its scuba diving and snorkelling packages. With an extensive range of appropriate equipment, they can help choose what’s best suited for your needs and abilities. Most of all, they offer scuba diving courses for beginners.
Picture credit: Mohd Fazlin Mohd Effendy Ooi
It’s no wonder Gold Coast is famous for its myriad of theme parks. Some of the most famous parks include Warner Bros. Movie World, Sea World, Wet ‘n’ Wild, and Paradise Country. Each of these theme parks is incredible in its own way, with rides and attractions bound to make you scream! Fulfil your inner child as you sit through any of the rides and meet some of your favourite characters in between! There’s so much to see, so grab a snack, or a friend or two, and you’re definitely good to go.
A personal favourite would be Warner Bros. Movie World — it’s perfect for comic and film nerds, and maybe you’ll bump into your favourite superheroes. One of their most iconic rides would be the Batwing Spaceshot. It will take you up and down at a speed of 64 km/h in 50 seconds. If you love rollercoasters, go for the Superman Escape.
Picture credit: Hot Air Balloon Gold Coast
Hot air balloons are an outdoor adventure you cannot miss out on in life. Besides the miles and miles of picturesque views, the experience is a homecoming. It’s both relaxing, and thrilling and for a moment, you can be one with the skies. As such, you can launch yourself into the air with a hot air balloon ride on Gold Coast. Soak in the warmth of the morning sun as you float over the Scenic Rim towards O’Reilly’s Grand Homestead & Boutique Vineyard.
When you come down, you can grab a hearty breakfast of fresh juice, pastries, fluffy eggs, crispy bacon, and more! Visit O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyard while you’re there, and top off your trip by popping a bottle of champagne.
No matter how action-packed the Gold Coast can be, don’t limit your outdoor adventures to just that coastal city. The rest of Queensland is just as travel-worthy. Remember to stay safe and have a lot of fun!
