Picture this: The cabin door of the light aircraft slides open. Strapped to your instructor, he shuffles you both towards it. Your heart thumps wildly in your chest, and before you can think anything more than, "I'm a mad person," you're dangling out of the doorway, listening to the countdown, "One, two…"
Before he reaches three you're free falling, air whipping through your hair, cheeks flapping like sails on a boat.
Let's be honest, it's not your most flattering angle. But my goodness, it's a breathtaking view from where you are.
While the 40 or so seconds of free fall you experience directly after jumping is usually spent wrapped in adrenaline, trying to keep your stomach from leaping out of your throat, the slow smooth ride after your instructor releases the chute is an incredible chance to soak in your surroundings.
Depending on where you've decided to jump, patchwork farmland, craggy coastline or bustling cities are revealed beneath.
One thing's for sure, sky diving is an experience unrivalled in the adrenaline stakes, and if you think you've got the guts to jump, here are some stellar spots near Melbourne to take the plunge:
St Kilda BeachOnly a 25 minute tram ride from Melbourne CBD,
St Kilda is a lively and eclectic suburb to base your dive from. From $369-$449, the crew at
Skydive The Beach Melbourne will take you to 14, 000 feet, Australia's highest dive altitude. On a beautiful, clear day you'll experience incredible views of
Port Philip Bay, all the way from the city to the
Mornington Peninsula.
Click
here to view a map.
The Yarra ValleyThe stunning wine regions of the
Yarra Valley make an incredible canvas from 14, 000 feet. Patchwork farmland and rolling hills extend as far as the eye can see. Only a 45 minute drive east from the CBD,
Yarra Valley Jumps take off from
Lilydale Airport. Expect to pay around $370-$470 depending on the hight of your jump.
Click
here to view a map.
Westernport BayFor those that want all the thrill of a skydive, but from a lesser height,
Commando Skydivers are a brilliant option. With 50 years of experience up their chutes, these guys will take you to 10, 000 feet, giving you a full panorama of Melbourne and its surrounding regions. You'll be able to spot
Phillip Island,
French Island, the CBD, and the
Dandenong Ranges, far out in the east. Located 45 minutes south-east of Melbourne, jumping here will cost from $395.
Click
here to view a map.
TorquayThe
Great Ocean Road is famous for its rugged coastline, with surf beaches, cliff top houses, and steep green hills. Located an hour and a half from Melbourne, taking the plunge with
Australian Sky Dive can be an added highlight to an already exciting coastal road trip. Prices start from $399.
Click
here to view a map.
Nagambie
Shielded by the elements on the northern side of the
Great Dividing Range,
Skydive Nagambie are guaranteed to get you up in the air. $365-$385 will have you free falling over some of the most beautiful countryside, with farmland, staggering mountains and snaking rivers as far as the eye can see. And don't worry if you've chosen an overcast day to dive, these guys are certified to jump through cloud.
Click
here to view a map.
