“You did what?” was the overall response I recieved when someone asked what I did over the weekend after our canyoning trip. Shortly followed by “I didn’t know we could do that here.”

Crazy adventure experiences aren’t just for people in Europe and overseas. You can find some pretty outrageous outdoor adventure activities right here in Australia.

We’ll go through a few outdoor experiences you have to be a bit loco to try. Let’s get adventurous!

Cliff Picnic, VIC

Cliff picnics by Bright Adventure Company. Image: www.brightadventurecompany.com.au

In Victoria’s High Country, Bright Adventure Company (BAC) host a private picnic suspended on the side of a cliff at Mt Buffalo. Imagine the views!

You start at the top, then abseil down to a private ledge suspended 300 metres above the valley floor. A private ledge can hold a party of four and BAC have two private ledges on offer.

Now for eatting part. Your hamper will be made up of fresh local produce from the area. The High Country is full of amazingly fresh farms so you know you’re getting the goods! They also cater to any dietry requirements.

You’ll meet your BAC guide at the Mt Buffalo Gorge carpark where they take you to your picnic spot, equip you with all the safetly gear you’ll need to abseil and safely sit to enjoy your picnic cliffside.

Through Spring/ Summer you can choose between a sunrise, lunch or dinner cliff picnic, making it a perfect idea for any special occasion – birthday, Chrissy pressie, anniversary, or marriage proposal perhaps?

Coasteering, WA

Coasterring with Margaret River Adventure Co. Image by www.margaretriveradventure.com.au

What is Coasteering, you ask? It’s a blend of rock-hopping, rock-scaling, shore-scrambling, rock-jumping and swell-riding! Basically all the things you’re told not to do in the water near rocky cliffs. 

In this instance, you’ll be traversing the coastline of the Indian Ocean, exploring inaccessible areas, such as steep sea cliffs, caves and ledges around Margaret River. 

The people at Margaret River Adventure Co tried it in the UK, where it originated (mostly in Cornwall and Wales), and brought it to Australia in 2016. This is Australia’s first coasteering experience and the only tour group doing it till now.

When starting off, no government authority understood what coasteering was. They would respond with “you want to do what?”. It took them years to establish, on their tried-and-tested routes. 

You’ll be led by a highly experienced guide that knows the local area, ocean conditions and is trained in surf rescue. Anyone can do it – kids love it. The only requirement to be able to take part in coasteering is swim 25 metres unaided and have a sense of adventure.

It starts in Ngari Marine Park, where you’ll meet your guide and get all geared up with a wetsuit, helmet and lifejacket. You’ll get to experience the coast in a completely new way, jump in and have fun!

Via Ferrata, VIC

Via Ferrata by Rock Wire. Image by www.mtbuller.com.au

Another activity from Europe brought to Australia is Via Ferrata, which hails from the Dolomites in Italy.

This involves climbing a route through a mountain that has fixed cables, rungs, ladders and suspended bridges installed into the rock faces. Equipped with a harness and a special lanyard with two carabines. Following the trail, you’ll be clipping and unclipping your way along the fixed cables. The trail ascends cliffs and exposed terrain, similar to a high ropes course on a mountain or rock climbing.

Via Ferrata originated in the Italian Alps in the 1880s to protect the mountain paths and to get people traversing the mountain on different routes that wasn’t accessible at the time. It was used in WW1 by the Italian troops to get them safely across the dangerous Dolomites carrying heavy packs. 

Now you can do it in the Victorian high country at the highest peak of Mt Buller. RockWire opened Australia’s first Via Ferrata tour and they remain the only ones that offer it.

You’ll be guided by a skilled climbing instructor through your choice of two routes. Start off with Route 1 as a beginner, or jump straight into Route 2 if you’re an experienced climber already. Route 2 is harder, steeper, more physically demanding, and exposed to cliff heights.

Requirements:

• You must be 13 years +
• You must be at least 130cms tall for Route 1, and 140cms tall for Route 2
• 40kg – 120kgs
• Physically fit to hike/climb for 5 hours
• For Route 2 be able to hold your body weight with your upper body – hang from a bar
• Be fine with heights and exposure on a cliff