Caliope Sage | The Adventure Travel Site

A climb to remember

Are you an adrenaline junkie? If so, the Story Bridge Adventure climb is just the way for you to explore Brisbane. Here’s what you need to know to plan an exciting trip.

What this journey entails

Story Bridge Brisbane Night View | Image via flickr

This is a must-do if you’re in Brisbane because you’re in for a great thrill. This exhilarating climb is sure to leave you wanting more and mesmerized by the beauty of the city. You can take part in the climb at dawn, during the day or if you’re extra daring, you can climb the bridge at night under LED lights. The bridge is about 74m high; the total journey is about a kilometer with a viewing bay above the Brisbane River.

What’s included in a climb

Even if you’re a first-time climber with no experience, you will still get briefed about the safety guidelines and will be given the gear and equipment needed. You’re given a fully enclosed suit to wear over your clothes and your team lead will take pictures of you at the top, so you don’t have to risk losing your valuables. Since the bridge is in the heart of the city, you can easily find accommodation such as the Oaks Brisbane Mews Suites which is just a 7min drive.

Nervous? Don’t worry.

As this is a highly popular activity, there are ironclad safety measures in place, and you will always be accompanied by experienced guides. The only requirements are that you’re at least 10 years or older and 130cm tall. Although there are plenty of great bars and hotels in Bowen Hills, please avoid alcohol prior to the climb just to ensure your safety and others’.

The Best Adrenaline-Rush Activities in Maldives

The Maldives may be known for its laidback charm, but don’t forget it has lots of action-packed activities too! Here’s a look at some of its best.

Image credit- Unsplash,Yuriy Vinnicov,CC0

Night Diving & Snorkelling

These two activities are captivating during the day, but at night, provide a whole new level of adventure! Available at private resorts like Huvafen Fushi Maldives that have PADI-certified diving courses, night diving and snorkelling let you encounter nocturnal creatures of the deep and bioluminescence via yellow mask filters and UV lights.

Jet-Skiing

If speed is what will fill your desire for an adrenaline rush, then jet-skiing is not to be missed; think of the vast Indian Ocean as your water-filled playground in the Maldives! Island resorts provide jet-skiing excursions which are ideal to explore the area around where you stay or even to head further afield into the horizon.

Seabob Adventures

A relatively new entrant into the field of water sports in Maldives, the Seabob is a high-powered underwater scooter that propels you on an amazing ride. It can reach speeds of around 20 km/h and you just need to hold on tight and manoeuvre it in and out of the water; if you ever wanted a “dolphin experience”, this will provide it!

Parasailing

If you’re not afraid of heights or want to conquer your fear of it, in an exhilarating way, then parasailing is perfect. You will be securely attached to a parasail which will be lifted to heights of around 150 metres when the speedboat reaches optimal velocity; couples seeking to take their love to new heights can opt for tandem parasailing at sunset!

Hiking in Penang

Penang, Malaysia is always a good idea! And an especially great idea if you are a nature enthusiast or an avid hiker. Here are some fun trails to check out if ever you visit Penang!

Home Base

Where you base yourself when you’re on holiday is always a very important decision. Whether you’re travelling in a group or flying solo, serviced apartments in Bukit Mertajam, such as the Sky Residence Prai are a convenient and safe choice and are worth considering.

Penang National Park

This National Park, despite being the smallest in the country, has two very scenic and popular hiking trails. Both trails are challenging and rewarding, of which one is along the coast and the other takes you deeper and higher up into the jungle.

Youth Park

For families travelling with kids, the Youth Park is worth checking out, since it has plenty of trails, spaces and activities to keep the little ones entertained as well. The walking trail in this park takes you past the Botanic Gardens, the skate park to its summit which is at Penang Hill.

Teluk Bahang Eco Park

This 80-acre park in Penang is by far one of the best-maintained parks and is a favourite amongst locals and tourists alike. With over a dozen hiking trails and numerous footpaths, there are plenty of steps you can clock in at this Eco Park.

Skydiving in Dubai

Sky diving is such a thrilling activity and there’s no better place to check this heart-racing activity off the bucket list, than in dazzling Dubai! Read on to find out how and where you can go sky diving while on holiday in Dubai.

Image credit- Unsplash,Kamil Pietrzak,CC0

Convenient Location

When checking into Dubai, make sure you consider one of the hotel apartments near metro stations in Dubai to have easy access to everything in this cosmopolitan city! Citadines Metro Central Dubai is among some of the great options in the heart of the action.

The Overall Experience

If you want to get your adrenaline pumping, there’s nothing like jumping from a height of 13,000 feet above sea level to freefalling the earth at around 120 miles per hour. While free-falling from a dizzying height isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, Dubai has earned itself a reputation as being a premier sky diving location!

Jump in Pairs

As a rookie, you won’t be able to free fall solo. Unless you have your sky diving license, all jumpers are required to jump with a professional skydiver. Once you jump off the plane, you will freefall for a minute or so but as soon as you are around 6000 feet off the ground, your instructor will pull on the chord to activate your parachute.

Dive with the Best

Since this is a daring feat in itself make sure you go with the most reputable and safest vendors in the business. Dubai is also known for two premier dive spots – the Palm Zone and the Desert Zone. Either of these destinations will make for an unforgettable experience!

Explore Port Stephens’ Breathtaking Coastline Along with a Whale-watching Trip – Enjoy Amazing Experiences

Port Stephens is where one can discover a mélange of amazing beaches. It’s also where one can enjoy whale and dolphin-watching cruises and even go parasailing over its glistening blue waters.

Overview

Apart from its whale-watching adventures, Port Stephens is also popular for its 26 beaches, with some sheltered in bays to offer splendid swimming, snorkelling, and kayaking opportunities for families. The Stockton sand dunes, easily reachable from Nelson Bay hotels the likes of Oaks Nelson Bay Lure Suites are incredible for horse riding and quad-biking.

Whale Watching

There’s a number of ways to enjoy whale watching in the gorgeous Port Stephens; these range from coastal lookouts to whale-watching cruises. In addition to marvelling at the amazing acrobatics of these majestic mammals, one can also have fun watching the playful antics of over 100 bottlenose dolphins that call this region their own.

Best Time to Go Whale-watching

A great number of humpback and southern right whales migrate annually to and from warm waters. And tourists will be able to spot these gigantic, yet graceful marine creatures should they visit Port Stephens between May and November.

How to Spot Whales

Moonshadow – TQC Cruises and Imagine Cruises offer great whale and dolphin watching facilities. Visiting Tomaree National Park will also provide an easy lookout to spot pods of whales.

Shark Season in the Maldives – Dive on the Wild Side

Scuba diving in the Maldives is like entering into a whole new world, living under the ocean’s waves! With incredible corals, and a plethora of marine wildlife read on to find out more about how you can dive with sharks and live to tell the tale!

Diving Basics

The good news for novice divers is that a PADI license is not required! Resorts such as Anantara Veli Maldives Resort have in-house diving courses and instructors, which make your foray into the world of diving effortless! Follow the course for beginners and go giving in the private reefs to witness the splendours hidden under the waters.

What Can you Expect?

The beautiful fish you see from your gorgeous Maldives’ over water bungalow is the tip of the iceberg! Dive under the waters to be blown away by colourful shoals of fish, friendly sea turtles, and plenty of harmless sharks. The caves and the reefs will leave you in awe of the very diversity and beauty of the natural world.

Shark Spotting

If you’ve ever dreamt of diving amidst sharks, the best time to do this is between January and March. The Southern atolls are a hotbed for schools of reef sharks during this spell. Float amongst them, as they go about their day, completely undisturbed by your presence even though you’re undoubtedly having the adventure of a lifetime!

Travel Adventures in Ao Nang, Thailand – A Holiday of a Lifetime!

Ao Nang is known for its long and gorgeous Andaman coast and the fantastic diving opportunities that await just beyond it. Long-tail boat tours are also another highlight here.

kallerna, Macaca fascicularis Ao Nang 2, CC BY-SA 3.0

Four-island Long-tail Boat Tour

This is one of the most exciting things to do in Ao Nang. It’s where you can explore the best of Krabi in less than 7 hours. Visit the famous “Chicken Island”, named for its odd rock formation, and the lesser-known islands of Koh Tub and Koh Mor on this tour. Exploring the Phra Nang Cave Beach shouldn’t be missed when you’re on the Railay Peninsula.

Climb Ngorn Nak Mountain

While in Ao Nang, the hike up the Ngorn Nak Mountain will treat you to some of the best views around. This is the highest mountain in the Krabi region and is located approximately a 28-minute drive away from Avani Ao Nang Cliff Krabi Resort.

A Day Trip to Krabi Hot Springs

While holidaying at one of the Ao Nang hotels, why not organise a day trip to Krabi Hot Springs. These natural “hot tubs” average 35-40°C and are full of mineral salts that offer a range of health benefits.

Hit the Monkey Trail

From one end of Ao Nang Beach towards Pai Plong Beach, you’ll find a trail with wooden flooring and rails. This is home to a large troupe of monkeys and offers incredible views of Pai Plong Bay.

4 Most Beautiful Beaches in Sydney – Relax or Take a Dip in a World of Aquatic Adventures

Beaches in Sydney are frequented by locals and tourists from near and far. These are the places one can visit if ever they crave downtime with plenty of space to relax.

Bondi Beach

Located just a 15-minute drive away from properties like Oaks Sydney Castlereagh Suites via Moore Park Road is Bondi Beach. It is one of the most popular beaches in Australia and one can find a range of trendy cafés, restaurants, and shops here. The views of Bondi Beach are quite pleasing to the eye.

Bronte Beach

Bronte Beach is yet another scenic escape that you must visit while holidaying at your apartment hotel in Sydney. It’s an easy coastal walk from Bondi Beach and is quite popular among surfers. Swimmers are usually thrilled at the prospect of taking a dip at the famous rock pool at this beach.

Manly Beach

You’ll be spoilt for choice when you’re on the beautiful Manly Beach. Whether it’s surfing on its waves or snorkelling to explore its colourful depths, there’s something for everyone here.

Balmoral Beach

Balmoral Beach is found on the scenic north shore of Sydney. It boasts enclosed swimming areas, which makes it popular among families.

Scuba Diving in the Maldives – Under the Sea

The Maldives Islands are the perfect holiday destination for several reasons, of which scuba diving is one of the foremost! Read on to learn more about the incredible adventure which awaits you when you go scuba diving here!

Do You Need To Be A Swimmer?

The short answer is no! Better yet, you don’t even need a PADI Diver’s licence. However, you do need to dive with a registered diving instructor. Most Maldives luxury resorts take away the hassle of organising your dives. Resorts such as Amilla Maldives Resort and Residences have their dive partners to ensure your safety and comfort are taken care of, as you take the plunge!

What You Can Expect

Diving is an exhilarating experience for novice and seasoned divers alike since no two dives are the same. You can expect to be awestruck by the world that is thriving just beneath the surface of the waves. From gorgeous reefs to a host of colourful fish, sea turtles, manta rays, and harmless reef sharks, it is a whole new world under the sea!

Where To Dive

With over 26 atolls and over a thousand islands to choose from, this can be a really difficult decision to make! From Banana Reef in the Northern atoll which has its fair share of coral reefs and caves to the South Male atoll which has around six popular diving spots, which showcase the full range of marine life, there’s plenty of options for those keen on diving in the Maldives.

Mobile Camping Adventure

There’s a myriad of camping adventures that you can be a part of – and some of them offer facilities that let you experience a comfortable and luxurious stay. One such instance is the modern mobile camping adventures offered by Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara.

Overview

These new mobile camping adventures will let you wander through the diverse landscape of Southern Oman’s Dhofar. It is indeed one of the best Oman attractions.

What to Expect

While the sun continues to shine, one may look forward to exploring the endless deserts, craggy mountains, and long stretches of empty yet beautiful beaches. And by night, you can expect to relax under star-studded skies, while immersing in complete luxury.

Image Credit: Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara

Adventures

If you choose to venture away from the comforts of your luxury tent, you will find yourself gliding along with dolphins with marine experts, discovering intriguing historical sites with archaeologists, and even pointing out the marvels of the night sky with astronomers.

Guidance

You will be traversing to all kinds of sites in the luxury of a 4×4 while being accompanied by the members of the Mahrah tribe.