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Where are the best Skydiving locations in Australia?

FreefallIf you are looking for an adventure with some fantastic views and site seeing thrown in for good measure, you can’t beat skydiving.  Whether you are in Sydney or Brisbane the view as you fly up and float down are both amazing.   Excitement is in the air as the plane takes off and you climb to the jumping altitude. The adrenaline rush can’t really be described as you wait at the door to leave the plane and all you see below is air.  Finally as you leave the plane and freefall, the sensations are crazy as your brain tries to make sense of what is happening!

If you want the rush without spending time training, the best choice is tandem skydiving as all it requires is a simple 5 minute safety demonstration explaining where to put your arms when you leave the plane and how to hold out your legs for a comfortable landing.  Then you meet your skydiving instructor and away you go! You are strapped into a harness and connected to front of your experienced skydiving instructor who will tell you what to do and when. The instructor pulls the shoot, looks after steering the parachute and is control of the landing, so you can just relax and enjoy the whole experience.

Parachute PulledIf you think you might like to try pulling your own shoot and landing yourself it is fantastic fun but you will need to do the training.  After the required training you will usually have 2 instructors who will jump with you on your first jump.

Skydiving Sydney gives you a couple of choices for your jumping location.  If you would like to jump over farmland you can choose to skydive tandem or on your own. If you would like to jump over the beach though, you can do this in Wollongong.  To jump from the plane over the beach has to be a tandem jump for this area.  The coastline looks amazing as you leave the plane and plummet towards the ground and you might even get to float through a cloud once your parachute opens like I did!

Skydiving Brisbane can be done tandem on the coast and this gives beautiful views of Morton Bay and the Glass House Mountains as you float down to the landing zone.

Skydiving is a something that many people set as a goal to do once in their lives and you never know, you might just fall in love with this adventure sport and find a new hobby or career!

Brisbane Accommodation

Brisbane HotelWhen staying in Brisbane you really need to consider the location, as Brisbane is quite different from staying at the Gold Coast or Sunshine Coast.

One of the finest stays in Brisbane is at the Brisbane Marriott Hotel, which is a five-star hotel. It is an extravagant hotel that offers luxurious accommodation with the finest in room features. The guest rooms, suites and executive-level rooms were recently refurbished to provide a pristine and modern display. The rooms features LCD televisions, a bathtub with spray jets, luxurious bedding and not to mention the spectacular view.

Situated in the heart of Brisbane city on Queen St, the Brisbane Marriott Hotel has amazing room views over the magical river and city. You will really encompass the feel of Brisbane in this luxury style accommodation. For those who like to stay up to date with current affairs, you will even have the daily newspaper delivered to your door. There are various nearby attractions including the CBD, galleries, museums, cinemas, restaurants, cafes, shops, swimming pool, bars, clubs, pubs, river, sporting venues and not to mention the iconic Brisbane Gardens and Parklands.

The Brisbane Marriott holds the Petries Brasserie and Bar, where you can enjoy a seasonal a la carte menu at your fingertips. There is also The Dome Retreat where you can pamper yourself in the hotel’s day spa. This is a great way for couples, business executives and leisurely travellers to enjoy a timeout away from the busy tourist or work schedules. Enjoy the Brisbane sunshine as you relax poolside on the Grecian inspired recreation deck, which is a great retreat while keeping healthy. There is also a sauna and spa to unwind and relax.

For those hosting functions in Brisbane, the Brisbane Marriott specialises in weddings, social and business events with up to 720 metres of flexible space.  From just $235 per night, the Brisbane Marriott suits those on romantic getaways, honeymoons, retreats, corporate events and functions. With an AAA Tourism rating and accreditation, you will certainly enjoy your stay at the Marriott.

The Ibis Brisbane is alternatively a well located place to stay in Brisbane, for those who would prefer a cheaper accommodation option. It’s convenient location in the centre of the city is great and it is just a short stroll from the Queen Street Mall and Roma Street Transit Centre. It is a three a half star hotel, although you will have modern rooms, air conditioning and stunning city views. The I-Bistro is a restaurant in the hotel which opens each day for a buffet breakfast. In the evenings for the I-Bistro offers dinner as a buffet style affair. After a lovely dinner, you can pop into the I-Bar if you would like to indulge in a cocktail or glass of  fine wine.

For those looking to venture out and explore Brisbane, the Southbank Parklands is just a 10-minute walk away. Here you will find a mix of cafes, restaurants, scenic walk and weekend markets. For those on corporate stay, you will be located in the heart of the Government and Corporate precinct of Brisbane, saving your travel time and costs. Overall, the Ibis Brisbane is good value for money, with room comfort, an ideal location and hotel wining and dining bars and restaurants.

Category: Visit Brisbane  
Fun things to do in Brisbane

BrisbaneBrisbane is a fun, relaxed and carefree city where you can become close to nature. Located above Sydney, Melbourne and Perth, Brisbane has higher than average temperatures almost all year round.

The Brisbane River is the central icon with various sights and sounds to see along the banks such as parks, walking and bike trails, picnic areas, cafes and restaurants, markets, pontoons and fishing facilities. You can even short cut your journey by taking a fast and cheap CityCat ferry down the stream. Or even try the River Queen paddle wheelers or Gondola cruises to provide a serene and leisurely sightseeing experience. There is even the Mirimar Wildlife Cruise where you will be taken to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. Brisbane is unique as it has cycling tracks all throughout the city, so you can even go exploring while staying fit with a road bike.

Some star attractions to visit include the 19th century sandstone building of the Conrad Treasury Casino, the famous Gabba Cricket Ground to watch the Cricket or Australian Rules football in action as well as the South Bank Village and The Riverside Markets for those who enjoy shopping. You should endeavour to visit the Mt Cootha Lookout and Botanic Gardens which are five minutes from the CBD, which are filled with beautiful trees that date as far back as 1828!

The South Bank, or The Parklands, is another highlight which is the heart of Brisbane’s cultural, recreational and entertainment scene. You will find over 20 eateries across the food spectrum. You will even find the Breaka Beach, an amazing man made lagoon beach! Where else will you find a beach experience in the heart of the city? You can find sailing, surfing, sea kayaking and scuba diving tours in Brisbane. If you want to extend your water adventures, travel up north for an hour until you hit the Gold Coast which holds several dazzling beaches, water theme parks and scenic rivers. These include Australia Zoo, Ginger Factory, the Big Pineapple, Underwater World as well as the theme park clutter of Dreamworld, Movie World, Sea World and Wet ‘n Wild.

You will find the Queensland Cultural Centre that is adjacent to the South Bank. This is home to the Queensland Museum, the Queensland Art Gallery, the Queensland State Library and the Performing Arts Complex for you to enjoy at either a free or low price. Last, but not least, Brisbane showcases great shopping in the Queen Street Mall or nearby suburbs of Paddington and Milton. So as you can see, Brisbane has a lot to offer for the active traveller!

Category: Visit Brisbane