These are the 15 Best Outdoor Adventures in Oceania as nominated by travel writers from all over the world. We have included Australia, New Zealand, Vanuatu and Fiji suggestions here for your outdoor activities.
Contents
- 1
- 2 Best Outdoor Adventures in Australia
- 2.1 Swim with Whale Sharks at Ningaloo Reef, Australia
- 2.2 Camping in Australia
- 2.3 Karajini National Park in Australia
- 2.4 Bush Bashing in the Northern Territory, Australia
- 2.5 Kings Canyon near Uluru, Australia
- 2.6 Exploring Esperance, Western Australia
- 2.7 Litchfield National Park, Northern Territory, Australia
- 2.8 Sydney Habour Bridge Climb, Australia
- 2.9 Swimming with Sharks, Port Lincoln, South Australia
- 3 Best Outdoor Adventures in New Zealand
- 4 Best Outdoor Adventures in the Islands
Best Outdoor Adventures in Australia
Swim with Whale Sharks at Ningaloo Reef, Australia
from Travelnuity
Between April and July each year, whale sharks migrate to Ningaloo Reef, halfway up the western coast of Australia. One of the most amazing experiences you’ll ever have is going swimming with these gentle giants of the sea. The use of spotter planes in the air above mean there’s a good chance of success and despite being called “sharks”, it’s very safe (they only eat plankton!) It’s also a great opportunity to go diving or snorkelling at this pristine coral reef.
Camping in Australia
Karajini National Park in Australia
Bush Bashing in the Northern Territory, Australia
from Passing Thru
When our friends in Darwin asked us if we’d like to go “bush bashing in the ute” at Litchfield National Park, we had absolutely no idea what they were suggesting. However, we soon learned this meant hop in the truck (a “ute” is short for “utility vehicle” which is sort of a combination pickup/flatbed) and head to the outback where your 4-wheel drive is necessary. Litchfield National Park is located about 100km southwest of Darwin, with natural attractions like waterfalls, swimming pools, and humongous termite mounds. Super impressive to a couple of Yanks!
Kings Canyon near Uluru, Australia
Exploring Esperance, Western Australia
from Holidays, Hellidays and the Journeys in between….
The absolute must visit destination in Australia is the highly under-rated Cape Le Grand National Park near Esperance, in Western Australia. The drive to Esperance is long, almost to the start of the Great Australian Bight, or fly direct from Perth. What you will experience, after a short 45 minute drive out of town are the best beaches in the country, with the benefit of very few people to share them with. Lucky Bay was once voted the world’s most beautiful beach, while the neighbouring Hellfire Bay is picturesque beyond words. The sand is literally white, and so fine it squeaks with each step. The water is clear yet a dazzling blue, no filter could improve upon.
The National Park offers camping and bushwalking but is also perfect for the beach picnic of the less energetic.
Litchfield National Park, Northern Territory, Australia
Sydney Habour Bridge Climb, Australia
from Travel Tales of Life
Gazing down at the Sydney Opera House my giggles of delight wafted skyward in the hot breeze. Visiting Australia and summiting the Harbour Bridge had long been a dream of we adventure junkies. Ascending the arches of one of the most recognizable bridges on earth, the stunning views of Sydney Harbour lay before us like magical postcards. At 134m above sea level, the world’s tallest steel arch bridge affords the city’s best panoramic view. Since 1998 over 3.2 million people have experienced the exhilarating climb. Add two happy adventurers to the list!
Swimming with Sharks, Port Lincoln, South Australia
from The Crowded Planet
During my last visit to Australia I had the chance to go cage shark diving in Port Lincoln, South Australia. As a supporter of responsible tourism, I opted to go with the only operator in the area that gave travellers the chance to dive with sharks responsibly, using music instead of food to entice the sharks close to the boat. We were lucky to spot three great whites – here’s one of them! And guess what? Sharks love rock and heavy metal tunes!
Best Outdoor Adventures in New Zealand
Bungee Jumping in Queenstown in New Zealand
from Polkadot Passport
Queenstown in New Zealand is an absolute mecca for adrenaline activities, meaning you can’t leave this place without doing something to get your blood pumping. There are multiple places to bungee around Queenstown, including the Kawarau Bridge, which is home to the world’s first commercial bungee operation. Freefalling 43 meters over a stunning turquoise river was one of the scariest and most exhilarating moments of my life!
A Hike to Milford Sound in New Zealand
from Boomeresque
Our favorite outdoor adventure was a 4 day, 35 mile guided hike in Fiordland National Park on the South Island of New Zealand, ending at the beautiful Milford Sound. Although the trail was rocky in places and the hike went up and over a mountain pass, no technical climbing was required and the scenery was stunning. We traversed several micro climates, ending in a temperate rain forest. Unlike in similar terrain in the United States, there were no bears and no snakes, just avalanche zones.
White Water Rafting in New Zealand
Best Outdoor Adventures in the Islands
Diving in Vanuatu
from Short Holidays and Getaways
There are many things to do in this archipelago of islands, and diving in Vanuatu is a huge draw card for visitors, with these volcanic atolls attracting people from all over the world. It is easy to get your PADI licence in Vanuatu and then to explore underwater. The reason that Vanuatu is so popular with divers is that there are many shipwrecks to be studied in this very clear water and an abundance of marine life to be marvelled at.
Diving in Fiji
Snorkeling with Sharks and Stingrays – Bora Bora, French Polynesia
from The World is a Book
There’s plenty of beach relaxation in the island paradise of Bora Bora. But, many excursions also focus on water sports and getting close to the marine life. We loved our snorkeling with sharks and stingrays tour with three stops. First, we swam with stingrays whose barbs were removed but weren’t shy about interacting with us. The Coral Garden was an amazing stop to snorkel among thousands of tropical fish. Our last stop was into 50 feet deep water to swim with the black tip sharks. Thankfully, the sharks mostly ignored us. Lunch on a private island was a major bonus.
These are 15 Best Outdoor Adventures in Oceania, that our travel writers have nominated.
What other outdoor activities would you add to this?
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wow. no shark swimming or bungee jumping for me. But the national parks and reefs and beaches all look lovely to explore in slightly less daring ways, too. And i would be game for that. #wkndtravelinspiration
I would give the bungee jumping a miss, but would take my chances with the sharks.
Wow, you are spoilt for choice. I need to get back to that part of the world and explore some more. That Milford Sound hike is the one that appeals to me the most. The bungee jumping and white water rafting might make my heart explode from the adrenaline rush. That’s fascinating that sharks can be lured in with music.
Thanks and yes, there are so many adventures here. This is such a small but wonderful sample of outdoor adventures in Oceania.
We are off to W.A and Esperance in a couple of weeks. One more must-do will be ticked off.
Enjoy, you will love it.
Some of these activities are kind of daring for my taste, but I have to say they seem very exciting. I’d love to visit this part of the world sometimes. It looks grandiose.
They are daring for my taste too Anda. You need to come down under and explore the Oceanic region.
This is a great list of outdoor activities in Oceania! Swimming with whale sharks is what attracts me most. From my adventures in Oz, I would add the Kimberley in North Western Australia for some epic 4WD road trips.
I agree, the Kimberley’s need to be added. I think I will do a dedicated post to outdoor activities in just Australia.
All great picks!
They are aren’t they, and just the tip of the iceberg
Yes to all of the above. Except for maybe that crazy white water rafting plunge over a 15 foot waterfall! #wkendtravelinspiration
Agreed. I like to live vicariously at times.
I agree, these are great outdoor activities. I want to make my way to Western Australia and partake. Karajini National Park looks awesome.
They are all amazing and some we will also do.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for this post!! I have been longing for some now ideas of places where to go in Australia and nearby. Massive fan of scuba diving, so thanks for adding that in too! Can’t wait to see all these places myself! This will be in my bookmarks until I’ve ticked them all off! #WeekendTravelInspiration
I am happy that you got some ideas. This is just the tip of the iceberg for Australian adventures. You will find a lot to see and to do.
Thanks for including our Milford Track hike as one of your 15 Oceania outdoor adventures. It looks kind of tame next to bungee jumping, but it lasts longer. 😉
So many people want to do the Milford Track and it was a great outdoor adventure for those visiting New Zealand.