Other activities in Queensland
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Riverlife Adventure Centre
Opened in 2005, this diverse centre offers a wealth of river- and land-based activities. Group kayaking lessons along the Brisbane River are held daily at 1pm ($34), Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7pm ($45), or you can hire your own ($25 for 1½ hours). The paddle and prawns ($69; 1½ hours kayaking followed by beer and prawns on the riverfront deck) on Friday nights from 7pm gets rave reviews. On Thursdays at noon you can participate in traditional Aboriginal song and dance performances (adult/child $45/25) with members of the Nunukul, Yuggera, Yugimbir and Nugi tribes. Performances ($65 per person) are also held on Saturday at 7pm; bookings are essential.
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Ocean Safari
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Merrick's Learn to Surf
With a string of fine breaks around an unspoilt national park, Noosa is a fine place to catch a wave. The best year-round break is probably Sunshine Corner, at the northern end of Sunshine Beach, though it has a brutal beach dump. The point breaks (First Point to Granite Bay) around the headland only perform during the summer, but when they do, expect wild conditions and good walls at Boiling Point and Tea Tree, on the northern coast of the headland.
Noosa Spit, on the far end of Hastings St, has gentle breaks that are heavenly for the novice - unlike at Sunshine Beach, riders are protected from open water so the rips tend to be less intense. It seems someone is always…
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Bedrock Village Caravan Park & Tours
There’s something quite amazing about these giant lava tubes, all 160km or so of them, that run underground and were formed around 190,000 years ago following a three-month eruption of a single shield volcano. The massive lava flows drained towards the sea, following the routes of ancient river beds, and while the surface of the lava cooled and hardened, hot lava continued to race through the centre of the flows, eventually leaving enormous basalt tubes. These days, they’re a rare cool spot in the region, and you can be guided through them with Bedrock Village Caravan Park & Tours.
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Frankland Islands Cruise Dive
Frankland Islands Cruise & Dive runs excellent day tours, and throws in a seafood buffet, stinger/sun suits, snorkelling equipment and sun shades for families. The trip begins with a bus trip to Deeral, where you transfer to your boat on the Mulgrave River. The boat can also drop permit-holding campers off at Russell Island (adult/child $225/125).
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Kingfisher Bay 4WD Hire
If you want to hire a 4WD while on the island, Kingfisher Bay 4WD Hire has a medium-sized fleet, from Suzuki Sierras to Landcruisers.
Advantages: Complete freedom to roam the island, and escape the crowds. Disadvantages: Having to drive in conditions where even experienced drivers often have difficulties, and being responsible for any vehicle damage.
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Bush Tucker Gourmet Breakfast
The Bush Tucker Gourmet Breakfast with the koalas at ecocertified Bungalow Bay Koala Village lets you try guava champagne and breakfast in the company of some friendly native birds and creatures. If you’re not an early riser, there are animal petting and photo opportunities during the day (10am, noon and 2.30pm).
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Adrenaline Park
Located a few blocks north of Cavill Ave, this park has everything to make your head spin and stomach churn. The most popular rides are the Sling Shot and aptly titled Vomatron. For traditionalists, there’s also a good old bungee jump with Bungy Australia.
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Bundaberg Rum Distillery
Wake up and smell the molasses! Tours at the Bundaberg Rum Distillery follow the rum’s production from start to finish and, if you’re over 18, you get to sample the final product. The one-hour, wheelchair-accessible tours run every hour on the hour. Note, you must wear closed-toe shoes.
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Port Douglas Yacht Club
Ever dreamed of sailing on a yacht? Well, the benevolent folk at the Port Douglas Yacht Club run sunset sessions each Wednesday, and it’s a fun and free way to get a taste of boating life. Register at the Yacht Club at 4pm; boats leave at 5pm (BYO drinks).
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Lagoon
On the Esplanade, the Lagoon is popular with kids and is patrolled all day. There are ‘Tiny Tacker Tuesdays’ every third Tuesday of the month at the Cairns Regional Gallery as well as theme-based workshops for children during the school holidays.
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Kuranda Rainforest Tours
Behind the train station, Kuranda Rainforest Tours runs 45-minute calm-water cruises along the Barron River and you might spot a freshwater croc. Check opening times from October to March, as it doesn’t operate after heavy rain.
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Waterpark Eco Tours
Unfurl your senses in the rainforest on a silent, electric boat tour with Waterpark Eco Tours. The 97-hectare farm has a beautiful self-contained, air-conditioned timber cabin ($100) should the trees lull you to sleep.
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Bat House
Volunteers from Austrop, a local conservation organisation, run the Bat House, a nursery for fruit bats. The surrounding forest is slowly regenerating and there’s a walk to show you the changes.
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Scuba World
Scuba World which is next to Underwater World arranges coral dives off the coast and a popular wreck dive of the sunken ex-HMAS Brisbane ($150 for a half-day trip including two dives).
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Mamu Rainforest Canopy Walkway
This is a 2.5km treetop walk that was built following the path Cyclone Larry took through Wooroonooran National Park. It takes around 45 minutes to walk around, and includes a 100-step tower 37m above ground.
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Footprints on Fraser
Get up close and personal with Fraser's unique environment when you walk the island with Footprints. The company runs four- and five-day guided walking tours that take in lake, dune and rainforest hikes.
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Muddy’s Playground
Muddy’s playground is a great place to get saturated and it’s suitable for all ages, with climbing nets, playgrounds and plenty of water-play areas. It’s between Minnie and Upward Sts.
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Miners Heritage Walk-in Mine
The excellent Miners Heritage Walk-in Mine has informative 20-minute underground tours throughout the day that have you descending into a maze of tunnels 18m beneath the surface.
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Watersports Hut
The Watersports Hut is just one of a few places hiring sailboards, catamarans, motorboats and snorkelling gear. It can also take you waterskiing, parasailing or camel-riding.
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Straddie Adventures
Surfboards, snorkelling equipment and bicycles can be hired at Straddie Adventures, which also offers sea-kayaking trips around Straddie for $60 and sandboarding for $30.
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Dive In Sports
Just north of the resort off the coast are the Tangalooma Wrecks, which provide excellent snorkelling and diving. You can hire gear from Dive In Sports on the resort grounds.
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Tropical Island Mission Beach Boat Charters
Tropical Island Mission Beach Boat Charters can dump you on an island with a picnic hamper and camping equipment, as well as arrange QPWS camping permits.
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Aussie Sea Kayak Company
The Aussie Sea Kayak Company is a highly reputable company that can also arrange multiday missions to North Stradbroke, Fraser and Moreton Islands.
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