The natural beauty of New Zealand is not only rich and exotic but also mostly unhampered by the mankind. But that's not what I am talking about here today. New Zealand is known as the heaven for adrenaline junkies all around the world and this is one area where we Australians envy it. Though we are generously endowed with beaches, mountain ranges, reefs and other natural beauties, we too turn towards NZ when the adrenaline rush kicks up in our body. Not anymore.
Experience the power of nature and impact of speed and pressure, when you perform adventurous air activities in our own state of Victoria. You can choose to fly, fall, float or even fear while the adrenaline shoots up in your body; sky diving, hot air ballooning, flight in jet fighter planes, aerobatics and gliding can all be performed in various locations in Victoria.
1. Sky Diving
It could be a height of 10,000 feet, 12,000 feet, 14,000 feet or even higher the difference does not matter when you dive from a plane from this height and fall freely under the pull of gravity at 9.8m/sec sq. The earth below gets shrouded by the grey and white clouds and you can feel the wind pressure pushing back your cheeks and your skin. It is a concoction of fear and anxiety which you experience in the first few seconds of your fall with even your heart wanting to jump out of your body. Sky diving is definitely the most popular adventure activity amongst the thrill seekers. This is mostly done in tandem, along with a guide. You can choose to get yourself captured in pictures and videos while performing this dare devil activity.
Here are some details about it which you will find useful:
Price Ranging from AU$ 340 to AU$ 1270
Where Bendigo, Yarra Valley, Nagambie, Torquay
Duration 10 to 15 minutes
Adrenaline Rush - High
Some of the reputed names in Skydiving are
Melbourne Skydive Centre,
The Parachute School,
Sky Dive Nagambie,
Adrenalin and
Adventures Australia.
2. Hot Air Ballooning
Hot air ballooning is all about great height, picturesque view and early hours of the dawn. For those of you who love the thought of adventure but are yet to muster guts for it, you can indulge in this fearless flight up in the air. You will almost feel no air sensation as you embark upon this ride, which is in complete contrast to the gusty winds and tingling pull of gravity in sky diving. This ride generally starts at the break of dawn when the air is still, and tours around designated route where you can capture scenic beauty of the Melbourne city. Be witness to the sunrise hour when the supple redness of sun appears on the horizon. Marked by the gentle breeze and silence of the city, this ride gives you an ethereal feeling and unceasing sense of freedom. When you are inside the hot air balloon you can feel romance in the air with your beau or chill out with your mate. It creates any mood which you want.
Enjoy some champagne and some breaky to content your stomach just like your heart.
Price Starting from AU$ 320 to AU$ 750 for 2 people
Where Melbourne City, Yarra Valley
Duration Around an hour
Adrenaline Rush - Pleasant
Take off points are fixed but landing points are generally decided based on the direction of the wind. You can check out
Adventures Australia,
Global Ballooning,
Picture This and
Hot Air Balloon Rides for some good deal on this activity.
3. Jet Fighter Flight
If you have loved the jet fighting acts in James Bond movies and secretly fantasised yourself in one of those scenes then this activity is just meant for you. This jet fighter plane will take you for the most unforgettable flight of your life and will accelerate your heart beats to uncountable number. It will make you experience the true meaning of velocity, momentum and pressure in real life all of which you would have only studied in your physics books. Dressed in military helmet and flight suits you will be harnessed inside the cockpit of L-39 fighter jet. Once the flight takes off you can feel the thumping pressure of thrust of 4000 pounds of jet fuel and magnanimity of the G power. Be a part of barrel roll, loop, Cuban 8 and other exhilarating stunts. Being a co-pilot, you will assist your pilot in performing breath taking aerobatics and striking poses.
This is an extreme thrilling activity and is not suitable for weak hearts.
Price AU$ 1200 to AU$ 2590
Where Melbourne
Duration - 15 minutes
Adrenaline Rush - Very High
Xjet,
Adventures Australia,
Adrenalin,
BCL,
JetRide Australia and
Warbird Air Adventures are some companies which are known for their Fighter Jet flights in Victoria.
4. Gliding
Fly like a free bird and tour the city while gliding away with excitement and thrill. Get into the shoes of a pilot and get introduced to the roaring heights and whispering winds. A towing plane will take your glider to around a height of 2000 feet and then drop it from there. Gliding into the air and cutting through different layers of atmosphere, you will experience a unique combination of tranquillity and sudden spikes of adrenaline level in your body. While doing all this you will be harnessed appropriately to the glider and will be accompanied by an instructor.
Price AU$ 199 per person
Where Melbourne
Duration - 15 minutes
Adrenaline Rush - High
You can choose from a range of gliding centre in Victoria like
Melbourne Gliding Adventures ,
BCL,
Adventure Air Sports,
Adventures Today and
Adrenalin.
While booking is must for each of these activities, they are subjected to the weather conditions on that particular day. You can order for photos and DVDs of your daring acts which might cost separately. All these activities are designed in such a manner that your safety is completely taken care of at the same time they promise unparallel stimulation for a lifetime. Enjoy these electrifying moments and awaken your soul for something challenging and gripping.
What more? If you are not yet ready to feel your heart palpitate at unbelieving rate then you can buy gift vouchers of any of these activities from various companies for your adventure freak loved ones. Trust me you would love to see them getting excited over this.
