Adventure is all around us, just waiting to be embraced. The best part about it is the fact that there is something to do on every continent. In this second instalment of our multi-part adventure sports series, we will look at the region known as Australasia. It includes Australia, New Zealand, and New Guinea.
As always, we recommend you seriously consider travel insurance before embarking on an adventure sports holiday. All adventure sports carry with them some measure of risk to both your health and your finances. Be wise and be safe. With that said, let us get to it.
Wreck Diving – Papua New Guinea
We begin this instalment with an activity that is not necessarily seen as an adventure sport: diving. However, diving off the coast of Papua New Guinea is anything but boring if you are into exploring World War II shipwrecks. In this part of the Pacific, the wrecks abound. You might even make the case that New Guinea's coastal waters have the largest concentration of shipwrecks in the world.
For example, a Ro-33 Japanese submarine was sunk near Port Moresby in 1942. Shipwreck enthusiasts explore it regularly. You might also consider checking out the MV Herstein, the HMAS Terka, or the USS LCI. There are a number of older wrecks as well, dating back to the late 19th century.
Schweeb – Rotura, NZ
If you've never heard of the sport of schweeb before, you are not alone. It exists in only one spot in the world: Rotura, New Zealand. Schweeb involves lying face down in a transparent pod – the pod is suspended from an overhead track – and pedalling as hard and as fast as you can around the course. Achieve speeds of up to 30 mph as you race your aerodynamic pod against your friends or the clock. If you are fast enough to break the world record, you could win a prize of NZ $1,000.
Speed Boating – Sydney, AU
Few of us will ever get the opportunity to experience what it is like to skim across the surface of the water on a super-fast speedboat. If you happen to be planning a visit to Australia, plan to take a ride with one of the companies offering speedboat trips in Sydney Harbour. The adrenaline rush is incredible.
Rainforest Zip Lining – Australia
Zip lining is always an adventure no matter where you do it. Nevertheless, in Australia, there are a number of dense rainforest areas where the sport takes on new meaning. For example, the Daintree National Park is a place where zip lining brings you up close and personal with the Daintree River, the Great Barrier Reef, and an abundance of indigenous wildlife. If you appreciate soaring through the canopy as you gaze down on the floor below, there is no better place to do it than Australia's rainforest.
We have only scratched the surface of adventure sports opportunities in Australasia. Next time we will look at Asia. Until then, have fun and be safe.