A tandem jump over Perth.
Adrenalin rushes come by air, land and water in Perth, writes Mal Chenu.
'No bloody way! It's too dangerous," she said. And so the dream of skydiving over Perth city and landing on the Swan River foreshore was summarily crushed by wifely proclamation.
"You can do the Segway tour instead."
The new Abyss rollercoaster at Adventure World has the sixth-steepest drop in the world.
I had been researching this story and channelling my inner Indy, who preferred a cool hat and whip to the fluoro-vest and helmet ensemble. And so it was the missus - not a parachute - brought me back to earth.
A few days later, as I lay on my hotel bed in Perth nursing two broken ribs from a freak Segway accident, irony and Panadol coursing through my veins, I kept thinking: Why? Why? Why? Why the hell did I tell her about the skydive. As the great philosopher Homer Simpson said: "The problem with the world today is communication. Too much communication."
First, let me be clear: Riding a Segway is great fun and not at all dangerous unless you are a frustrated skydiver looking to push the envelope and you take on a ramp with poor technique and a cavalier attitude. And you fall backwards. And the Segway behind runs over you. In my case the trailing Segway is driven by a Tourism WA staffer (Hi Sarah, much better now, thanks) who clearly eschews the golden rule of PR not to kill the journalists.
Segway Tours WA started operation in October with a grand vision, a handful of the $8000 machines and hopefully a huge public liability policy. The 90-minute tours include about 10 minutes' training on a simple obstacle course before you head out along Perth's excellent and spacious riverside pathways. Today, we head east from the Barrack Street Jetty base in the CBD, trailing our guide Paddy like compliant black swan cygnets and pulling envious looks from puffing joggers and tourists getting about in that retro-style called walking. While speed limiters restrict maximum velocity to 10km/h, I feel like I'm flying along the path, free and cool.
Our headsets are wired up to Paddy and his illuminating commentary is a hoot. He recounts the history of the area as we pass points of interest and warns us of approaching cyclists. We pass the enclosed Heirisson Island, home to western grey kangaroos and numerous birdlife, a statue of Nyoongar leader Yagan and a planned sculpture park.
Paddy leads his cygnets under the Causeway, past exclusive Trinity College and on to East Perth, which he tells us used to be a great place for unsavoury activities but which is now a thriving inner-city high-density residential neighbourhood.
The river is a constant companion and this is a part of Perth that is off the beaten track. A detour takes us past a row of bars and restaurants.
Tours run regularly every day and also operate at Rottnest Island on the beach with bigger tyres. Ninety-minute tours east or west from Barrack Street Jetty are $129, including training. Sixty-minute riverside tours cost $89. Phone 1300 80 81 80. See segwaytourswa.com.au.
The city they used to call Dullsville is now pumping and there are plenty more adventures in the west offering varying shades of knuckle pallor.
SKYDIVING PERTH
Tandem jump from 14,000 feet above the Perth CBD, freefall for 60 seconds and float down on to Langley Park - between the CBD and the Swan River - and land conveniently close to cafes and bars if you need a stiff drink afterwards. Of course the 360-degree views are amazing - the city and suburbs below and out to the beaches and hills in the distance - but more importantly you will tick the "I'm braver than you" box. $499 plus $159 for photo and DVD proof. Phone 1300 663 634. See skydive.com.au/locations/perth.
ABYSS, ADVENTURE WORLD
Australia's newest and most thrilling rollercoaster opened at the Bibra Lake venue (half an hour south of the city) in November. The specs alone are cheek-clenching: up to 4.5 G-force (a thrust greater than a space shuttle launch), a 10-storey-high vertical lift and a breathtaking 30-metre drop - the sixth-steepest in the world - plus four inversions through daylight and a secret dark section as well as a zero-G roll, rollover loop, cobra roll and inline loop. Adventure World boasts four other rides they rate as "five skulls" scare factor. One day pass: adult (over 14) $52.40; child $43.40. See adventureworld.net.au.
CATALINA ADVENTURES
Catalina offers various escapades from its Barrack Street Jetty headquarters. The Jet Blaster power boat tears up the Swan River past Kings Park and the Old Swan Brewery at nearly 80 km/h with 360-degree spins, fishtail spins and nose-diving brake stops in a 30-minute throttle fest. Adult $75; child $45.
The SAS Rigid Raider assault boat offers a cruise down the river past Millionaires' Row and Point Walter to Fremantle Harbour and out to sea for whale and dolphin spotting plus steep, high-speed turns. Adult $140; child $90 return. They also have helicopter sojourns. Phone 1300 554 026. See catalinaadventures.com.au.
The writer travelled courtesy of Virgin Australia and Tourism WA.
TRIP NOTES
GETTING THERE
Virgin Australia operates four services to Perth every day. All transcontinental flights ex-Sydney and Melbourne are now on the new A330, which includes flat beds in business class. Phone 136 789. See virginaustralia.com.
STAYING THERE
The five-star Pan Pacific Hotel at the eastern end of the CBD is just a 10-minute stroll from Barrack Street Jetty. Various levels of accommodation and inclusions from $450 a night. Phone 1800 049 610. See panpacific.com/en/Perth.
MORE INFORMATION experienceperth.com
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