Australia Scuba Diving

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Not just a country, but a continent. Australia's three million square miles provide everything the adventurous holidaymaker could possibly want: wide expanses of wilderness, warm blue seas and steep mountains. Throw in good weather and friendly, enthusiastic people, and you've got the perfect formula for adventure.

Australia is one of the most urbanised countries in the world. Even with more than 90 per cent of its population living in cities, most Australians worship the outdoors, spending as much time as possible there, doing everything from barbeques to bungee. Traditional aboriginal beliefs are steeped in nature worship, and it is easy to see why; even some city centres are surrounded by sandy beaches and you're never more than a short drive from wild bush.

Australia is divided into tropical and temperate regions. Temperature in the tropical north rarely dips below 25C. The south also experiences long, hot summers, but has cooler winters, when snow covers its mountains. The majority of Australia's population live along the coasts and in the cooler south. With much of the interior and the north left uninhabited, there are thousands of miles of wilderness to explore. Flights are easily available from the UK to: Sydney, Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne and Brisbane, and your itinerary should determine where you choose to fly from.

Surfing
Surfing is not just a sport in Australia, but a way of life. World-class waves hit white sand all the way around the coastline, and there is surf to suit all abilities. The east coast beaches of New South Wales and Queensland are among the most famous. Although they are often very crowded and locals can be very protective of their surfing spots. In the south there is the world-famous Bells Beach in Victoria, home to the annual Rip Curl Pro competition. Western Australia's beaches also provide good surf and are often less crowded than other areas. Jellyfish and crocodiles make the northern coast off-limits to surfers.

Diving and Snorkelling
While surfing provides plenty of fun on the water, Australia's underwater world is not to be missed. The country is home to the Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest coral reef system - so large it can be seen from space. Cairns is the main jumping-off point for Barrier Reef trips, with Port Douglas an attractive option for those wanting a quieter stay. More unusual diving options include shark diving in South Australia and diving through sea-kelp forests in Tasmania, although good diving and snorkelling are available all around the coast.

Sailing
With so much activity on the beaches, it's hardly surprising that sailing is popular in Australia. The Whitsunday Islands on the Barrier Reef are a great choice for those wanting to combine a sailing trip with diving or snorkelling. Trips are available to suit everyone, from those wanting to learn to sail themselves, to those wanting a relaxed cruise. If you'd rather get away from the coast, how about exploring some inland rivers? The famous Murray River can take you from the snowy mountains of New South Wales all the way to Adelaide.

Skydiving
Throwing yourself out of a plane at 14,000 ft is big business here, and it's easy to see why as the wide-open spaces and clear views provide perfect conditions. Sky dives are available across the country, and drop zones comonly have views over beaches, forests, lakes and mountains. In a country as vast as this, perhaps the best way to fully appreciate the varied and beautiful landscape is from the air. First-timers will need to tandem dive with an instructor, but it's also possible to get qualified to dive solo. You'll normally get a video of your experience included, so you can relive the memories back home.

Skiing and Snow-boarding
Often thought of in terms of sun and sea, suprisingly Australia's mountains are home to a number of ski resorts. These are found in New South Wales, Tasmania and South Australia between June and October. It's easy to get to the slopes in Australia. Both Canberra and Melbourne are within two to three hours driving of the resorts, so even day trips are possible if you don't want to stay in the mountains. Thredbo in New South Wales has the longest vertical drop in Australia, at 672m, and is the highest resort at 2072m. Perisher is the largest, with 48 lifts.

Trekking
Australia's rich and empty landscape provides a huge range of opportunities for trekkers and walkers, from short one-day trips out of the city, to long multi-day treks through the empty outback. For easy walking close to civilisation, try the Blue Mountains near Sydney. Head into the interior with a trek between Alice Springs and the legendary Ayers Rock. Experience the wilderness of the Northern Territory with a trek along the Laparinta Trail, or explore the magical tropical rainforest around Cape Tribulation. For something a little cooler, head to nearby Tasmania - also a fantastic trekking destination.

Wildlife
It's impossible to mention Australia without mentioning its wildlife. Much of it has come to define the place - the image of a hopping kangaroo is, for many, the first thing that comes to mind when they think of Australia. The variety of bird and animal life is stunning, and ever-present even in the cities. Not suprisingly, eco-tourism and safari trips are available for those keen to delve a little deeper. Guided short walks from the cities are available for bird and animal watching, and longer, multi-day safaris into the outback on foot and by four-wheel drive also easy to find.

Other Activities
Beach junkies might want to try their hand at wind-surfing, kite-surfing, water-skiing, wake-boarding, or just about any other water sport you can think of. If you'd rather head inland, how about white water rafting or canoeing down the many Australian rivers? For those preferring to stay on solid ground, mountain-biking and cycling trips are good options, or the romantic might fancy a trek on horseback or camel through the outback. For sheer adrenalin, it's hard to beat bungee-jumping - and as this originated in neighbouring New Zealand, it's understandably popular.

Classic Itineraries
Distances are vast and internal flights can be useful to help cover them, but you'll miss out if you neglect overland travel entirely. Beach junkies could surf their way up the east coast from Sydney to Cairns, via the Gold Coast and Brisbane. Take in the natural world by basing yourself in Port Douglas to explore both the Barrier Reef and the North Queensland Rainforest. Head to the interior with a trip from Ayers Rock to Alice Springs and then north to Darwin. Instead, perhaps explore the mountains and rivers of the more temperate south, with a trip from Sydney to Melbourne via outback New South Wales and Victoria.