"Active travel." A style of travel that seeks special experiences by moving directly through nature, beyond simple sightseeing, has drawn attention recently. More travelers want to experience nature in various ways, from water activities to beaches and forests, cliffs, wildlife habitats, and outdoor installation art.
Australia is the country these travelers are watching. That is because you can encounter diverse ecosystems by region, from vast oceans and pristine beaches to ancient tropical rainforests and deserts. Tourism Australia has selected six active travel destinations gaining fresh attention across Australia.
◇Purple Thunder
In Mackay, a coastal city in Queensland in northeastern Australia, don't miss the jet boat adventure "Purple Thunder." You can ride a jet boat that performs advanced water maneuvers on the Pioneer River, including 360-degree spins, high-speed 180-degree turns, side drifts, and power stops.
Travelers who enjoy water sports should not miss it. Along with the thrill of speed, you can take in Mackay's distinctive natural scenery that unfolds along the riverbanks.
◇Waterfalls, wetlands and scenic rail tour
The "Waterfalls, wetlands and scenic rail tour," which departs from Cairns, Queensland, is a one-day program that covers tropical nature, Indigenous culture and local cuisine. The tour begins with an exploration of the Cattana Wetlands, lush with palm forests. It then introduces local culture through the "Calling to Country" welcome ceremony and Dreamtime stories led by a Djabugay Indigenous guide.
You will have lunch at Skybury Coffee Plantation and visit Emerald Creek Ice-Creamery to experience local culture.
You can also ride the Kuranda Scenic Railway through tropical rainforest and tunnels. With an organic composition that ties together nature, culture and cuisine, it lets travelers experience the diverse charms around Cairns in a multidimensional way.
◇Beach sunset picnic and city lights tour
The "Beach sunset picnic and city lights tour" in Perth, the largest city in Western Australia, is a beautiful course for enjoying a Southern Hemisphere sunset. Departing from downtown Perth, the program follows the riverside suburbs to visit Western Australia's signature beaches.
At Cottesloe Beach, you can swim and stroll the shore against the backdrop of the Indian Ocean, and at City Beach and Scarborough Beach, you can take in Perth's signature sunset views.
After an outdoor dinner paired with Margaret River wine, you head up to the Kings Park lookout to take in Perth's skyline and coastline at a glance, wrapping up the itinerary. In a short time, you can experience both beach activities and the city's nightscape.
◇Kaarakin wildlife experience
The "Kaarakin wildlife experience" is an immersive nature program near Perth that combines wildlife conservation activities and education with hiking. At the Kaarakin Black Cockatoo Conservation Centre, a "Behind the Scenes" tour lets you observe iconic Western Australian wildlife up close, including emus, kangaroos and black cockatoos.
Afterward, a guided hike of about 3 km in Banyowla Regional Park lets you experience Western Australia's native vegetation and natural scenery. A portion of the tour proceeds is used for wildlife conservation activities.
◇Happitat
"Happitat" in the Gold Coast hinterland of Queensland is the world's first cliffside adventure park, built atop a cliff at about 400 meters above sea level. It is set for an official opening on the 10th. You can experience a variety of nature-based activities in one place, including ziplines, suspension bridges, via ferrata, rainforest walks and natural swimming holes.
It was founded by Michael Neururer, a former professional snowboarder and environmental activist. Its core concept is overcoming fear, awakening the senses and restoring a connection with nature. It is drawing attention as a new active travel hotspot in the Gold Coast area.
◇Lighting the Sound
In Albany, Western Australia, a special active travel program combining nature, culture and art, "Lighting the Sound - Twilight Yurrerdel Hike," is offered. This experience runs only on the third weekend in March. It consists of a coastal forest hike from Whalers Cove to Yurrerdel Point.
Timed with sunset, the outdoor installation artwork "Lighting the Sound" unfolds over King George Sound (a coastal bay formation near Albany). Layered onto this is a story based on the tales of Menang Elder Yurrerdel. The itinerary ends with a picnic box of bush foods and a hot beverage, and the program is praised as a sensory hiking experience that combines walking, art and the region's narrative.