Attractions | The Adventure Travel Site

Experience Brisbane

Are you bored and tired of the same old tours and holiday itineraries? You’re in luck as this blog outlines some of the most unique and quintessentially Brisbane things you can do that are out of the box but will make you feel like a local.

Have a cup of java
It is as simple as a cup of coffee. What makes this cup so exceptional is the unique café that brews it. If you’re staying at one of the River View apartments, Brisbane please drag your partner and cycle down to the Goodwill Bridge. You will arrive at the tiny café on top of the bridge where you will be served a nice cup of joe with a hearty serving of the splendid city skyline.

Spring Hill Reservoir
The Spring Hill Reservoir is a unique place for performances and entertainment. The underground space was earlier used as a reservoir to house the city’s water supply; however, it has remained dormant since it was decommissioned in 1960. The Underground Opera Company opened the space for the public by hosting carols and operas.

Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium
If you want something different on a Friday night, head down to Brisbane City Council’s Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium. There are so many attractions for you and your little ones and it’s only around 15mins away from the city’s popular apartment suites such as the Oaks Brisbane on Felix Suites. You can enjoy 14 amazing shows on the Cosmic Skydome with your kids and enjoy some fun activities too!

Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers
If you’re having an evening stroll on Paddington’s Given Terrace, please pop by Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers. This is Australia’s first restaurant dedicated to authentic, handmade Italian gnocchi that will surely transport you to that Italian grandma’s kitchen we’ve seen on Food Network. There are many delectable sauces, appetizers and desserts to choose from plus a private dining space upstairs that looks exactly like Nonna’s kitchen.

Brisbane Riverwalk
This attraction is by far the most unique you’ll come across here in Brisbane. This floating Riverwalk allows you to walk ‘on’ the river instead of the sidewalk. The Riverwalk is 870m long and has dedicated bike and pedestrian lanes, so you can peacefully enjoy your walk or bike ride! Pro tip – there aren’t many shaded areas or benches along the walkway, so you may want to carry an umbrella and plenty of water.

Nong Nooch Tropical Garden Pattaya – Explore Pattaya’s Picturesque Nong Nooch Tropical Garden

Spread out across 2.4 square kilometres, the Nong Nooch Tropical Garden in Pattaya is a breathtaking horticultural highlight. Here’s everything you need to know about green space.

At a Glance

Sprawled across a whopping 600 acres or 2.4 square kilometres, the Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden is one of Pattaya’s top attractions for nature lovers. Encompassing an array of highlights, the gardens resemble a theme park more than a traditional botanical space as there are restaurants, cultural showcases and other activities that are part and parcel of the venue. Divide into a European Renaissance garden, a 17th-century French garden and a topiary hub; other interesting points of interest include succulents, orchids and bonsai themed gardens, which make up more than 30 separate horticultural zones.

Getting There

Those based at Avani Pattaya Resort or any one of the other Pattaya resorts will find that the most affordable and efficient way to reach the Nong Nooch Garden is via a shared transfer or by signing up for a tour of the locale with a local tour operator. There are full-day and half-day packages available to tourists who wish to uncover every corner of this delightful green space.

How to Explore

Due to the vastness of the gardens and the sheer number of plant life and recreational attractions within the premises, the best way to explore the Nong Nooch Garden is via biking around.

Main Highlights

Apart from the French Garden and the Stonehenge garden, the skywalk and the Butterfly Hill remain the most idyllic parts of the garden. Taking in a show at the Thai Cultural Hall is also a must. Boat cruises and paddle boating rides are available as well.

Dhow Cruise in Dubai Creek

Embarking on a cruise in Dubai is a brilliant way to simply get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and grab a few quiet moments with your loved ones. Not to mention the stunning views that await!

Experience the hospitality

The best thing about taking a cruise in Dubai, particularly the dinner cruise is being taken care of by a crew of service professionals. They will ensure that you are comfortable and relaxed at all times. If you are staying at one of the Dubai hotel apartments with kitchen such as the Citadines Culture Village Dubai, be sure to skip a meal before visiting.

Enjoy a stunning dinner

This meal will certainly be a decadent one, especially with a full course of Emirati and international cuisines being mustered by the kitchen staff.

Entertainment awaits

Once dinner is done, you will be able to enjoy the performances of Tanoura dancers which is an art form that stems from the times of the Ancient Egyptians.

Sit back and relax

Once dinner is over, you can simply settle in for a gentle ride along the river and take in the sea breeze and the night sky.

Rock Climbing at Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur

Their walls of the Batu Caves offer a unique opportunity for enthusiasts of climbing and first timers alike. Take up the challenge and see how you fare on your journey in Kuala Lumpur.

The climbing walls of Batu Caves

For the uninitiated, this may come as a surprise however, the Batu Caves are well known for the amazing climbing walls they offer. If you are staying at a serviced residence in KL such as the Ascott Sentral Kuala Lumpur, be sure to request some transport to take you to the location and back because you will be exhausted afterwards!

Getting to the Nayang Wall

This is one of the three walls in the area and is found right in front of the shops close to the main road leading up to the caves.

Don’t forget base-jumping

If you are looking for a bigger thrill, be sure to try out the base jumping that takes place off the Gua Damai cliff as well.

The New Batu Caves

In 2018, the Batu Caves were reopened with a new coat of colour and an overall facelift to the delight of climbing enthusiasts.

Perfect holidays are made of cotton candy lips and Ferris wheels

“Treat life like a Ferris Wheel ride… You must get past the fear to enjoy the view” – Linda Poindexter. If you’re afraid of heights, let’s keep that aside for now because the Wheel of Brisbane is too good to miss! Here’s why.

How The Wheel came to be

This striking structure that stands out from Brisbane’s skyline was built in 2008 as a part of the 20^th anniversary of Expo 88. Since then, it’s been a major attraction among tourists and locals alike because there’s no other place like it in the city that has gorgeous, unblemished 360 views.

Getting there

Just as the wheel is super easy to spot from afar, it’s easy to get there too. You can easily find comfortable and luxurious accommodation in the city of Brisbane. Hotel deals offer great discounts and weekend offers for you and your family to have the perfect staycation or weekend getaway! If you stay in a hotel like Oaks Brisbane on Charlotte Suites, the Wheel is simply a 6min cycle ride.

Why is this ride so fun?

Do you need another excuse apart from the 60-meter liftoff and a heart-dropping halt in a glass gondola at the very top? If adrenaline is not your thing, then the breathtaking views of all of Brisbane are what makes this ride to amazing. The Wheel is open from 10 AM to 10 PM allowing visitors to visit at any time. The egalitarian and safe glass gondolas are designed to offer you the best viewing experience and the lights during the day and sunset really allow you to see everything up to the horizon.

Added features and VIP gondolas

VIP Gondolas in Ferris Wheel,Brisbane | Image via *Unsplash*

Each gondola holds up to 8 people and 600Kg in weight and is equipped with climate control and a high-quality audio system that narrates what you see. The entire ride lasts up to 15mins leaving you with that pleasant-high feeling. You can also book a special VIP gondola to celebrate your personal special occasions or to woo that special someone in your life. These hold up to 4 people and are perfect for viewing fireworks on NYE.

Melbourne Skydeck and The Edge Experience

The Melbourne Skydeck is found in the Riverside Quay and is a viewpoint like no other, offering visitors a 360-degree view of the stunning city skyline.

Some facts about the Melbourne Skydeck

Since its opening, the Melbourne Skydeck has seen close to six million people passing through its doors. If you are staying at any of the apartments on Elizabeth Street such as the Somerset on Elizabeth Melbourne it is well worth taking a trip to take in the views.

The Vertigo Experience

While the name implies a horrifying experience, there is no real danger involved. It is a great opportunity to stand in front of a green screen and take a photo that looks almost as if you are falling off the building.

Visiting the Melbourne Skydeck

The attraction is open every day from 10 am to 10 pm so be sure to visit to catch a stunning sunset or take in the view as the city of Melbourne prepares for the night shift.

The Edge Experience

This is an activity that places you in a glass cube that sticks out from the side of the building and really puts you on the edge of your seat.

Unforgettable Scuba Diving in Bali

While Bali offers plenty of fun on the beach, don’t forget there’s much to discover beneath the waves too! Here’s more on scuba diving in this enchanting destination.

Dive Centres

Beginners or those looking to get an additional certification will find plenty of dive centres on the island; choose one that offers PADI and / or SSI training and certification. Ideally, be based by the coast with options including a hotel near Ngurah Rai Airport for travel enthusiasts like HARRIS Hotel Kuta Tuban Bali.

Best Time to Go

Scuba diving in Bali can be experienced year-round though generally, May to September, the dry season, is considered the best time; you can still enjoy this activity at other times when it doesn’t rain, while destinations like Pemuteran and Menjangan Island are popular places to visit the whole year through.

What to Expect

There’s plenty to encounter on your underwater adventures be it thriving coral reefs, fascinating marine species or even intriguing shipwrecks. Apart from a myriad of colourful tropical fish, you may also come across larger denizens of the deep including manta rays, sea turtles, various species of sharks and the elusive mola-mola or sunfish.

Diving Hotspots

There are diverse dive sites in Bali, each with something different to offer. On the east coast are popular spots at Tulamben and Amed where you will find shipwrecks, some dating to World War Two. Menjangan Island and Pemuteran on the north coast are also well-known for diving as are Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan.

Encounter Dolphins at Kiluan Bay in Lampung

A memorable experience awaits those going dolphin watching at Kiluan Bay in Lampung, Indonesia, where you can watch these marine mammals swimming wild and free.

Image credit- Unsplash,Pablo Heimplatz,CC0

Planning a Trip

Kiluan Bay is in the Lampung Province on the island of Sumatra’s southern tip. For accommodation in Lampung, hotel options catering to budget travellers including families can be found at properties like POP! Hotel Tanjung Karang Lampung in Bandar. The bay is around 80 km away and is a three to four-hour drive.

The Excursion

There are boat operators at Kiluan Bay offering dolphin watching excursions on various types of boats with varying capacities ranging from four to eight passengers. Dolphins are best spotted in the mornings between 6:00am and 10:00am, though you may see them again in the evenings from 4:00pm to 5:00pm.

A Marvellous Sight

This bay is on the migration route of dolphins which makes it an ideal spot to observe pods of these playful denizens of the ocean only after around a 20-minute journey off the coast. Spinner dolphins and common bottlenose dolphins are the two species widely spotted swimming wild and free amidst the waves.

Other Experiences

Kiluan Bay is best visited from April to September and the peak time for dolphin watching is usually from June to July. There are plenty more things to do here as well including snorkelling or fishing in the bay and if you’re lucky, spotting turtles. Within easy reach is Gayau Lagoon, a natural pool that’s worth visiting too.

Night Golfing in Jakarta

There is no better way to spend an evening than to gather with friends on the greens of Jakarta under the city lights and enjoy the city centre golf course.

Image credit- Unsplash,Steven Shircliff,CC0

More than just a sport

For many people, golf transcends sports and falls into the category of meditation. Alternatively, it can also just be a raucous good time that is perfect for relaxing with friends, family and colleagues.

Beyond the nine to five

The reality is that most people tend to play golf early in the morning to avoid being under the sun during the day. However, for those with day jobs, this is a rare opportunity so night golfing is an ideal alternative.

Pick your club

If you are a backpacker and staying at a hotel in Sudirman such as the HARRIS Suites FX Sudirman Jakarta, then you will find yourself in close vicinity to The Senayan National Golf Club.

There’s always a bite to eat

Always close at hand are various eateries that can provide a hearty meal for a hungry golfer!

Exploring the Ba Vi National Park

For those who love the great outdoors and nature, the Ba Vi National Park in Vietnam offers much to discover and here’s a look at what awaits.

Planning Your Trip

This site is around 50 km from Hanoi; serviced apartment options near the CBD like Somerset Hoa Binh Hanoi make an ideal base for excursions to this attraction, about a 75-minute drive away. The dry season, from November to April, is generally the best time to visit and at the year’s end, many photograph wildflowers here too.

What to Expect

The Ba Vi National Park was once a French hill station and is known for its rich biodiversity, idyllic scenery and cool climate; no surprises it’s a popular place for weekend visits. A rich storehouse of flora including medicinal plants used by the Dao ethnic group, the site also has varied fauna from birdlife to flying squirrels.

The Three Peaks

The park is set amidst Ba Vi Mountain with three peaks of varying heights namely the Dinh Vua, Tan Vien and Ngoc Hoa peaks. They form a crest which at its tallest point is often shrouded in clouds adding to its enchantment. Not to be missed is a hike to the summit to visit the Ho Chi Minh Temple and take in the stunning vistas.

Other Highlights

There are lots of trails for hiking and trekking through forests or up mountain slopes where you will find sacred temples, an ancient pagoda, tranquil streams and hidden waterfalls. An ancient French church, a scenic pine forest, a cactus garden, an orchid garden and the Ngoc Hoa Cave are some of the other sites of interest here.