Top ten Tuesday: Summertime adventures in NSW

NSW Acting Premier and Minister for Tourism Troy Grant has unveiled Destination NSW’s Top Ten Adventures, as part of an endeavour to showcase some of the best locations and leisure activities the State has to offer.

‘Throughout January, I’ll reveal some great destinations across regional and metropolitan NSW, where families can visit and have fun,’ Mr Grant said.

‘This week, we’re showcasing a host of activities for adventure seekers.’

1. Swim with sharks 

– If you’re brave enough to get up close and personal with a colony of Grey Nurse Sharks up to three metres, then Oceanworld Manly is for you. Shark Dive Xtreme lets you get inside the tank without any cages.

2. Extreme fishing 

– Head to the Macleay River via helicopter to try your hand at extreme fishing and test your skills at catching some native Australian bass. The team at Bass Lodge also offer remote accommodation and alternative transportation options.

3. Bouncin’ around 

– Leave gravity behind with exhilarating bounce-based fun at Alexandria’s Sky Zone in Sydney. Hundreds of trampolines are connected to create one massive bouncing room that allows you to literally jump off the walls.

4. Canyoning at the Blue Mountains 

– Swim, wade, waterjump, abseil and bushwalk all in one day as you explore the pristine Blue Mountain canyons, carved over millions of years by constant running water, with Blue Mountains Adventure Company.

5. Skydive on the beach 

– Jumping out of a plane is without a doubt one of the most adventurous things on offer, and with Skydive the Beach Sydney you can mix an amazing coastal view with a pure adrenalin rush 15,000 feet above North Wollongong beach.

6. Explore a cave 

– Adventure caving is for the brave-hearted as you climb, squeeze and crawl through caves, chambers and cliffs at the famous Jenolan Caves. The ‘Plughole Adventure’ is suitable for anyone 10 years or older.

7. 4WD fun 

– Get off-road and head to Central West NSW for a 4WD Tag-a-Long Tour to discover some great tracks and interesting destinations with Simmo’s Offroad Tours.

8. Olympic sized whitewater rapids 

– Penrith Whitewater is home to the only man-made river of its kind in the southern hemisphere and has recreated the characteristics of a wild river that is fuelled by 14,000 litres of raging whitewater per second.

9. Dive into paradise 

– World famous Ball’s Pyramid, Lord Howe Island’s premier dive site, is a must visit for all experienced divers. The dive site averages 25 metres in depth and range from drift dives, cave dives or following a coral wall.

10. Wild ride through the Hunter Valley 

– Jump on a chopper and explore some of NSW’s best wine country with Wild Ride Hunter Valley Tours.