For some people adventure includes adrenaline pumping activities like mountain hiking, bungee jumping, scuba diving, kayaking or skydiving, for others it means participating in local festivities, urban exploration, tasting unknown food or discovering ancient cultures. What does adventure mean to you?
With ancient forests, stretched nature parks, beautiful marine areas, unique wildlife and of course the Outback, Australia offers numerous opportunities for adventure seekers.
Australia's adventure capital, Cairns is home to two of the world's greatest natural wonders: the UNESCO-listed Great Barrier Reef and Daintree rainforest. The dazzling natural environment shapes the region's stunning resorts, from secluded island hideaways to indulgent spa spots and eco-lodges. Be it white water rafting or skydiving, walking amid primeval ferns or cuddling koalas, exploring dairy farms and orchards or feasting on Modern Australian cuisine, this Tourist Town has something for everyone.
Get a splash of adventure with Australia’s iconic saltwater crocodiles at Crocosaurus Cove, located in the heart of Darwin city. Crocosaurus Cove’s popular attractions include “swimming with the crocs”, getting up close with a baby crocodile, and the “Cage of Death”, which brings you face to face with some of the largest saltwater crocodiles in Australia. If that's too adventurous for you, perhaps a visit to Kakadu National Park is a better option. The park is located 171 kilometres southeast of Darwin and is home to a wide variety of different animal species, including wallabies, kangaroos, dingoes and many more.
In Perth, you're sure to find an activity that caters to your sense of adventure as it has an abundance of options on water, and in the air. Try for instance exploring the Swan River on a kayak, learn how to surf or explore marine life with a snorkeling tour. On land, hit one of the many walking trails or cycling routes at the Perth Hills. If you are up to some more thrilling activities, you might even want to consider rock climbing or abseilng in the stunning bush surroundings of Perth. For adrenaline rushes in the air, you could go skydiving or take a ride in a hot air balloon.
You don't need to go off the beaten track for adventure in Australia. Even cities have their own unique urban thrills. Sure, you can visit the Sydney Opera House, but if you really want to spark your senses, try climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge, one of Australia's most iconic attractions. Other adventurous options in Sydney include parasailing, skydiving, jet boat rides or you can even take your thrills to new heights with a helicopter ride. The options are limitless.
Malaysia is the perfect blend of everything you can find in Southeast Asia with its colourful traditions, vibrant culture and stunning nature. On top of that, there are many exciting activities to discover.
Welcome to the play-hard capital of Southeast Asia. Ever since adventurers started to trek to the summit of Mount Kinabalu, the highest mountain in South-East Asia, and scuba divers first discovered the rich coral world of Sipadan on the east coast, Kota Kinabalu has been a crossroads and centre of Bornean life.
Formed by volcanic activity, ocean erosion, and tectonic movement over the last 550 years, the various rock formations in Langkawi offer a visual feast for visitors. With so much to do, from snorkelling and island hopping through to rock climbing and mangrove tours, there is something to make any trip memorable. If you are up to some adventure and not afraid of heights, visit the Langkawi Sky Bridge to enjoy a 360 degrees panoramic view of the islands. This 125m long pedestrian bridge rises up above 700m above sea level.
Cambodia is a true gem of Indochina and is a destination where you can really pick your own adventures. From exploring cultural sights and ancient cultures, to cruising great rivers and lakes and hiking through rural areas.
Visit the Tonle Sap River, linked to the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia, Tonle Sap Lake; stroll along Sisowath Quay, where there’s a great concentration of restaurants, cafes and bars; or take a trip down the Mekong River aboard a wooden houseboat. For a closer look at rural life and surrounding greens, bicycle out of the Mekong Islands along small trails.
A trip to Cambodia would not be complete without a visit to Siem Reap. Take the time to explore the glorious temples, terraces and pagodas of Angkor - the most stunning legacy of the Khmer Empire. Go on a cycling adventure. Siem Reap presents magnificent cycling opportunities around the ruins of Angkor temples and through small villages and rice paddies.
Myanmar is a relatively new destination for adventure travel. If you are in for a mix of culture, history and excitement, then Myanmar is the place to visit.
For the adventures, go caving and rock climbing in a pristine natural environment at Waterfall Hill, located on the east side of Mandalay not far from the city. You can also try climbing the stone staircases built into the towering cliff walls or visit Maha Muni on the way to Sagaing Hill, which offers a great view of the many surrounding golden temples. Stops include a visit to the Kaung Hmu Taw golden domed monastery, a river boat cruise to Ava where you can ride a horse cart to different temples and the Sagaing bridge where locals gather to watch the sunset.
For an urban adventure, you might want to consider paying a visit to a city full of character and spirit, Myanmar's capital Yangon. Yangon is particularly worth exploring by foot since you just never know what you're going to see, find or experience. Things to visit include the Shwedagon Pagoda and the Bogyoke Aung San Market.
While the Philippines is justifiably known for its beautiful beaches and bounty islands, the country isn't just about finding that tranquil piece of sand. The Philippines offers a wide array of adventurous activities for the adrenaline junkies among us.
When it comes to adventure, Cebu has it all. From land to water to air, this beautiful province right in the middle of the country offers you adrenaline-packed activities. One of the most thrilling activities is definately canyoning or canyoneering. This exciting activity entails traversing canyons and jumping into small waterfalls and natural pools. Do make sure to arrange a tour guide for this experience.
Get a taste of outdoor life, Mindanao style. Hikers visiting the city shouldn’t pass up the chance to tackle Mount Apo, which at 3.1 km above sea level, is the tallest peak in the Philippines. Excursions can take up to four days and plenty of local tour operators will take you there. It also offers a chance to get a glimpse of the rural life led by millions of Mindanao people. For while it’s only 40km outside the city centre, its foothills, which most tours will pass through, are home to lots of local communities. A word to the wise: Apo is a challenging summit to conquer and should only be tackled by confident hikers.
Explore Indonesia's raw beauty with it's rich cultures and stunning nature. Due to the diversity of Indonesia, you can really choose what kind of adventure you want. Whether it's mountain climbing, snorkeling or simply exploring the rich cuisine, Indonesia has it all.
Located just east of Bali, Lombok is often regarded as an unspoiled, quieter version of its closest neighbour. Lombok’s landscape and traditional way of life have survived largely unchanged into this century, and it is a true gem in its own right. A surfing mecca with spectacular natural scenery, Lombok continues to lure surfers, trekkers and divers.
Manado once served as an old trading post for the Spanish and Portuguese before becoming a valuable hub for the Dutch East India Company. Visitors consider Manado a gateway to the adventurous Sulawesi and it is also known for its burgeoning ecotourism. Dive in Bunaken National Marine Park’s clear waters. Rich marine life thrives in the deep waters of the park. Lembeh Straits is another popular diving spot, offering sightings of small, alien-like critters.
Indonesia’s second-largest city and East Java’s administrative capital is known as “the city of heroes” due to its role in the nation’s independence struggle. Tree-lined streets and beautiful mosques dot the city and nearby attractions make Surabaya popular among tourists. For serious adventure seekers, hike Mount Bromo, Indonesia’s most famous volcano. This majestic volcano attracts hordes of adventurers with its challenging plateaus and peaks. Pre-dawn is the best time to start your exploration.
No visit to Yogyakarta is complete without a tour of majestic temple Borobudur, but for some extra adventure you can also live among the locals and discover a traditional way of life in Candirejo, 3km southeast of the temple. Enjoy a homestay in this quaint village set amid lush fields and rainforests, ride a horse carriage, get to know the friendly locals and join in some of the village rituals. Another option would be going on a guided trek up the active volcano Gunung Merapi or Fire Mountain. Leave early in the morning to catch the spectacular sunrise and views from the rim of the crater.