There is no doubt in the fact that Australia is one of the most beautiful places on earth and the dream place of every travel lover. From the Pink Lake to the Blue Mountains, this place is a wonder. Brisbane is the capital of the state of Queensland. Now as you know, there are tons of underrated places around the world. This is one of them and I am going to try to do justice to its beauty through this article.
1. Dolphin Watching
Dolphin watching and feeding is a unique activity to find in a city. You can do this on the Moreton island. You can actually check out the names and age of the dolphins by clicking on this link. You should also be able to spot some humpback whales while you are here. The dolphins are very well looked after. There is even a Dolphin Care Team to look after all their needs like feeding and general well being. You can also dive and swim along with them. Dolphins by nature are very playful creatures and pose no harm. The dolphins regularly come close to the shore so they can be fed easily. 11 of these dolphins come to the shore regularly. There is a high chance you will end up meeting at least a few of these. IIf you are looking to feed them, there is no way you are getting out of there dry.
2. Surfing
Now I know that most people don’t surf, and that is why I am adding a few places you can try surfing as a beginner at places close to Brisbane. Sunshine Coast in Noosa Heads is one of the best ones for beginners. By train, you can get here from Brisbane within 2 hours. Winters is the best time for surfing here, which is between June and August. Try to avoid the summers between December and February here, especially if you are a beginner and are still learning. Over these months, you will witness high tides here. Another beach that I would recommend for beginners would be the Woorim Beach at Bribie island. This should take less than 1 and a half hours to reach from Brisbane. This is perfect for beginners because it has smaller waves and shorter rides, nothing too scary. If you are looking to go at your pace and perfect your surfing skills, this should be on top of your list for that. For experienced surfers, I would recommend Burleigh beach on the Gold Coast. This is a relatively crowded beach, but perfect for experienced surfers.
3. Riding on a Camel
Although Australia is not particularly known for camel riding, this will end up being one of your best experiences! You will come across some of the most serene places around Brisbane. Moving along at a slow pace will help you absorb the beauty of the surroundings. You can enjoy the sounds of waves and the feel of gentle breeze along the calm and secluded beaches on the north shore, and all of that while sitting on a camel. Group tours are also available. Children below 5 are not allowed to ride and children between 5 and 12 can ride with a parent or a guardian. There is also a weight restriction of 90 kgs per person for the safety and well being of the camels.
4. Skydive Ramblers
Skydive Ramblers is Queensland’s largest skydiving center. Here you will get the opportunity to jump out of an aeroplane. You have the option to either go for a certified training if you are interested in going solo, or you can have a short one hour training and do it with an experienced skydiving instructor. Both of the methods are completely safe. The training for the solo ride will take about a week, no more. Which one you choose really depends on if you feel like you will enjoy a solo ride more or if you feel more comfortable jumping in with an experienced skydiver. Even if you are a first timer, you can go solo with proper training.
5. Daisy Hill Koala Centre
This one is probably something you expected to be on this list. I know what you are thinking. Aw, they are so cute, I wish I could just hug them. I hate to break this to you but it’s actually not allowed! This is a conservation park and is a significant habitat for koalas and they are well taken care of. You are also not allowed to take any pictures with koalas here. So what can you do here then? This is a great spot for picnics, backpacking, and hiking. You can also spot a few birds here.
6. Go Kayaking at Wyaralong Dam
In case you don’t know what kayaking is, let me tell you about this fun recreational activity. It is basically a long boat which is only a few inches from the water. You can row these boats with the help of a double bladed paddle. Kayaking at Wyaralong Dam is extremely safe because there are no motor boats allowed. You will also be given safety jackets of course. The mountains surrounding the area add to the scenic waters of the dam. There are also boating and fishing activities you can enjoy here in this dam. Visiting here in the day is advisable since you won’t be able to enjoy the same view in the evenings and nights.
7. Flight on an Hot Air Balloon
You can buy tickets for these on the day you want to fly on the hot air balloon. They are 100% refundable and are open every day of the week. You also get free wifi up there. There are offers for champagne breakfasts that you can enjoy. If you are looking to pre-book or gather more information on the offers available, here is the site you can check out. It flows along the gentle breeze and flies upto 2000 feet above the Gold Coast. Mornings are the best time to experience this because of the cool and stable at that time. I think you can imagine the kind of view you will be exposed to up there. The minimum age for riders is 4 years, although they can accompany.
