Want thrills with a side of romance? Sydney offers a wide range of activities that are perfect for adrenaline junkies. You’ll find plenty of adventure opportunities in and around the city – from skydiving to snorkelling, there’s no shortage of adventurous things to do in Sydney.
So, if you think you’ve accomplished everything to do and see in Sydney, it’s time to step it up a notch and seek adventure with these extraordinary experiences …
Take on Sydney’s only beach skydive
This one’s for the daredevils out there. Allowing you to jump from Australia’s highest altitudes (just under 5,000 metres), Skydive Sydney‘s Sydney-Wollongong jump (feature image) is not for the faint of heart.
After free-falling at over 200km/hr for 60 heart-stopping seconds, take in straight-from-National-Geographic views as you glide over Wollongong and the Southern Sydney beaches – all with a highly trained instructor, of course.
Want to really impress someone? Book their Sydney-Wollongong Romance Adventure Package and indulge with a wine-paired seafood feast after your dive… if you’ve still got an appetite.
Go on a romantic picnic with Sydney Seaplanes
For an adventure of the luxurious kind, treat yourselves to a romantic picnic with Sydney Seaplanes. Based in Rose Bay, the group will take you to a secret north-Sydney beach for cheese, charcuterie, seafood and premium wine (plus a refreshing dip in the ocean) after a scenic flight over the city’s most famous sights.
Adding to the glamour of it all, Sydney Seaplanes’ fleet of beautifully refurbished vintage planes will have you feeling as if you’re film stars escaping the crowds for the day.
Snorkel at Gordons Bay
Voted one of the best snorkelling spots in Sydney’s surrounds, Gordons Bay (20 minutes southeast of the CBD) is where you’ll find clear blue waters, a charming little beach, fascinating blue groper fish and protected near-shore reefs. Getting here is also a fabulous experience, with the bay only accessible by foot on the postcard-ready Coogee to Bondi Walk.
Hike the Barrenjoey Lighthouse Walk
If you’re looking to get out of the city for the day, head an hour east of Sydney to Palm Beach’s Barrenjoey Lighthouse Walk.
There are two walking tracks to choose from here that lead to the lighthouse and its breathtaking ocean views. Consider yourselves keen hikers? Though shorter, the 400 metre-long Smugglers Track is the more challenging option, with a steep descent and plenty of steps. For something a little more leisurely, take the 800 metre-long Access Trail.
Whichever you opt for, you’ll be rewarded with a truly amazing panorama.
Glamp in a zoo
If glamping has always been on your to-do list, combine it with the ultimate zoo visit when you book Taronga Zoo’s Roar & Snore experience. You’ll enjoy a night at the zoo’s campsite (with spectacular Sydney Harbour views) and stay in a decked-out tent before being treated to an exclusive guided night safari.
There are also gourmet refreshments, a delicious buffet-style dinner and interactive Keeper tours to enjoy, plus opportunities to get close to Taronga’s most exotic residents.
Kayak Sydney Harbour
It’s a bit of an obvious go-to, but the world-famous Sydney Harbour is one of those iconic sights you just have to see while in the city. It’s a unique experience that you can only have in Australia. An adventurous way to check out this icon, going kayaking in the harbour will let you experience the beauty of it all from a totally unique vantage point. There are a number of local hire companies, many with fabulous tours that take you past must-see spots like the Botanical Gardens and the Sydney Opera House.
Get skilled-up at Cables Wake Park
Adrenalin junkies, make your way to Cables Wake Park in Penrith (1 hour northwest of Sydney) for serious thrills. A hub of action-packed watersports, the park is great for wake boarding, kneeboarding and waterskiing. If you’re new to it all, don’t worry. There’s a professional team on-hand to coach you and show you some impressive tricks.
Spot majestic giants with Whale Watching Sydney
You don’t have to go far out into the ocean to see its most majestic creatures, the giant Humpback Whale. Between mid-May and early December, they migrate along the coast of Sydney before heading out to deeper waters, allowing couples the exhilarating chance to spot one of nature’s most marvellous animals. With a 99% success rate in finding whales, Whale Watching Sydney will take you out for a whale-watching-meets-sight-seeing cruise, departing from both Darling Harbour and Circular Quay.
Related: Travel writer Matt Brace has the perfect Sydney Short Break itinerary for you …
