Five zip-line flying fox adventures to have this weekend
If you’ve ever wanted to travel like Tarzan, Spiderman or George of the Jungle, speeding from tree-to-tree through the forest then a good place to start is with a flying fox or zipline.Maybe you built your own as a kid, but these days the experts have got all the safety gear and instructors, but more importantly, purpose-built low-friction lines that give a thrilling, gravity-defying ride. Gather the crew, hop in the car and try one of these five for size.
TreeTops, various locations, NSW
Having both the world’s longest and fastest ziplines is a pretty big claim, but it’s one that TreeTops is happy to make. This adventure company has forest parks in various locations with lots of fun things to do, but at Wyong Creek on the Central Coast, the Crazy Rider zip-line is a full one kilometre long and includes four 360 degree and one 540 degree loops. The Crazy Rider in Western Sydney is only half as long, but it’s the fastest in the world.
Hollybank Wilderness Adventures, Underwood, Tasmania
You’ll find Hollybank about 20 minutes outside Launceston and amid towering blue gums is a zipline that will take your breath away. Actually, the one kilometre long zipline is segmented into six stages and you’ll soar 50 metres above the valley below, pausing from tree to tree to perhaps learn a little about the eco-system, or maybe just enjoy the views. It’s definitely an adrenaline-pumper and if you want more, Hollybank also does Segway tours, mountain biking and rope courses.
Enchanted Adventure Garden, Arthurs Seat, Victoria
Rarely has a place been so aptly named: with its beautiful gardens, a host of activities including mazes, tree surfing and an obstacle course, the Enchanted Adventure Garden has all bases covered. Then there’s the zipline, which takes thrill seekers on a two-stage, 300 metre ride across the immaculate (and reassuringly soft-looking) garden beds. Better still, the location at Arthurs Seat on the Mornington Peninsula means the beach, wineries and great restaurants are close to hand.
TreeTop Challenge, Mt Tambourine, Queensland
This one is definitely not for the faint-hearted. The TreeTop Challenge is a thrilling, three-hour adventure that starts with a 4WD ride to the start of a seven-stage, 1.4 kilometre long Canyon Flyer zipline that soars above the canopy of ancient rainforest at speeds of up to 70km/h. If that’s not enough, you can even do parts of it facing backwards – or even upside down. Mt Tambourine is inland from the Gold Coast and is a great alternative to the beach.
Forest Adventures South West, Busselton, Western Australia
The south-west of WA is famous for its tall timber, and if you really want to get among the big trees you don’t want to miss Forest Adventures. Just near Busselton and north of Margaret River this park has an incredible array of airborne activities. You can ride a unicycle through the trees or a BMX on the highwire and the flying-fox is a cracker. String together the eight ziplines, take a leap of faith from the 19 metre-high platform and you’ve got a total of more than 500 metres to travel.
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