This was published 8 years ago
Top 10 city-based adventure activities: Urban adrenalin rushes
SKYJUMP, AUCKLAND
Auckland's Skytower is the tallest building in the southern hemisphere and while you can get perfectly good vertigo from the observation deck, that can be multiplied by several multitudes on the Skyjump. Essentially, you leap off the edge, 192m up, then plummet to the ground, slowed only by the wire you're harnessed to. See skyjump.co.nz.
EDGEWALK, TORONTO
The outside portion of the tour lasts 20 to 30 all-too-short minutes, from the moment that glass doors open and the tourists venture, tentatively at first, onto the platform.Credit: AP
An even loftier tower scare can be had in Toronto, where trembling guinea pigs are sent out to walk around the edge of the CN Tower restaurant's roof. It's 356m up and you're kept safe by clips, but the guides take sadistic glee in chivvying you to put your feet over the edge or lean forwards Superman-style. See edgewalkcntower.ca.
BIKING DOWN TABLE MOUNTAIN, CAPE TOWN
The giant beauty looming over Cape Town is usually conquered by cable car, but Downhill Adventures will drive you near the top, then let you descend over a couple of hours by mountain bike. There are some rough, rubbly patches to navigate, and some sections are pretty steep, but there's a lot to see if you take the ride steadily. See downhilladventures.com.
WHITEWATER RAFTING, RICHMOND
The capital of Virginia is the only city in the US to have grade III and IV rapids in an urban setting. The James River is deliciously wild here, making it perfect for rafting and tubing trips. River City Adventures runs a selection of trips, suitable for plucky beginners, on various stretches of the river. See rivercityadventure.com.
CLIMB KANGAROO POINT, BRISBANE
The Kangaroo Point cliffs in Brisbane have be come something of a hub for sickeningly active types. The Riverlife centre runs kayaking trips, paddle-boarding outings and bike tours from there, but two of the most fun activities utilise the setting. Various rock-climbing routes have been set up on the cliff face, while the abseiling lessons get novices shimmying and bounding down it. See riverlife.com.au.
FREMANTLE PRISON TUNNELS TOUR
Under the old Fremantle Prison in Western Australia is a network of convict-dug tunnels that once provided Freo's water supply. Now, you can descend 18m into them, harnessed to rather scary ladders. And once there, a small part of the tunnel maze can be covered on foot. The rest? You have to punt yourself around in a tiny boat. See fremantleprison.com.au.
THE BIG RUSH BIG SWING, DURBAN
The Moses Mabhida Stadium was built for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, and it has become something of an adventure playground. The most nerve-shredding attraction is the Big Rush Big Swing, which involves climbing ladders to the arc above the pitch, then swinging down 80 metres into the stadium bowl. See mmstadium.com.
ROOFTOP CLAMBERING, STOCKHOLM
In 2007, one company decided that common or garden walking tours of Stockholm didn't quite cut it. So they set up a series of ladders and catwalks connecting the rooftops of the Swedish capital, allowing guests to see the city from above. Takvandring kits everyone out with harnesses and the guides explain the city's history as the group clambers over the roof tiles. See takvandring.com.
ZIPWIRE ACROSS SENTOSA ISLAND, SINGAPORE
Sentosa Island acts as Singapore's family-friendly fun escape, with plenty of activities and rides among the old colonial forts. The biggest thrills are to be had at the Megazip Adventure Park, which has a ropes course and a freefall simulator, plus a zipwire that sends willing volunteers 450m across the jungle canopy, 72m above sea level. See sentosa.com.sg.
EXTREME AEROBATICS, LAS VEGAS
Scenic flights are for wimps. If you want to ratchet-up the whole "seeing the city with a bird's eye view" thing a few levels, then Sky Combat Ace's aerobatic extreme flights over Las Vegas or San Diego is just the ticket. Expect the full air-show treatment, with spins and rolls designed to test stomach strength. See skycombatace.com.
The writer was a guest of Tourism Toronto (torontonow.com) and Tourism Western Australia (westernaustralia.com).
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