A generally temperate climate, relatively low-cost access to sporting facilities, and the presence of beaches and waterways, open spaces and bushland, encourage Australians to take up outdoor activities as part of their lifestyle. Australia has more than 120 national sporting organisations and thousands of State, regional and club bodies. It is estimated that about a third of the population, are registered sports participants. Many more are involved in activities such as fishing, bushwalking, recreational boating, horse riding and fitness programs. Water sports have a huge following and the high interest in sailing is reflected in Australia’s entry in every America’s Cup challenge since 1967. In September 1983 Australia II became the first foreign yacht to win the cup held by the US since 1851. Australians are also enthusiastic sports watchers. Crowds of more than 100,000 are common in Melbourne for the grand final of the Australian Football competition. |
Through canoeing, a new world opens up and once on the water the stresses of every day life fades away. Jet-Boats In 1953, on a shallow fast flowing river in the back country of the South Island of New Zealand, a small boat overcame the forces of nature to travel upstream against the current. It was a Hamilton Jet boat, and is recognised as the genesis of the modern water-jet propulsion system. Today, water-jets are the preferred propulsion choice for a wide range of pleasure and commercial craft where high efficiency, outstanding manoeuvrability, shallow draft capability and low maintenance are key requirements. Experience gut-wrenching fish-tailing, sudden directional changes, 180 degree spins and awesome brake stops. |
Modern Bungee Jumping began with four simultaneous jumps off the Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol, England, on the 1st April 1979. It has been said, however, that bungee jumpers are a distant relative to that cute furry creature that runs in giant herds to the sea and then plummets off the ocean cliffs into the waiting abyss - I'll let you decide for yourself. |
| Australia is a great place to enjoy camping. With an adbundance of national parks and reserves, you can escape from the rigour of life to a secluded campsite just about wherever you are. The Australian bush is stunning and has some extrordinarily strange wildlife. Walk through the bush during the day, taking in the display of nature which involves all of the senses, and set up camp late afternoon, before sitting around a campfire and relaxing to the sound of serenity. When you're camping in the Australian bush make sure that you let someone know where you intend to go and when you intend to return so that they can contact emergency services if you get lost or do not return on time. Although it is relatively safe, it is always wise to be careful of snakes and spiders which you may see along the way. If you respect the bush then the bush will respect you. |
The batting side want to score as many runs as possible by hitting the ball over or to the boundary line, for six and four runs respectively, though no actual running is required. Failing that, they want to hit the ball far enough away that the batsmen have time to “run” to opposite ends before the ball gets back to the wickets. If a batsman is mid way through a dash and the ball hits the stumps, then he’s out. Australian’s love their cricket (and are rather good at it) and are fanatical about it at a national level. The first Test match between Australia and England was held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (still the world's largest cricket ground) in 1877. Sir Donald Bradman has to be the biggest legend of Australian cricketing with a batting average of 99.94 from 52 tests and a total of 6,996 runs. But the List of world class players is endless Clarrie Grimmett, Alan Border, brothers Ian and Greg Chappell, Dennis Lillee, Rod Marsh, Merv Hughes, Mark Waugh and Shane Warne. |
More points are up for grabs for successfully drop kicking the ball between the two goal posts in the middle of play or for scoring when a penalty is awarded. It is all quite fast and furious and must have the players’ mothers in bits but nonetheless it’s still popular. Seemingly, Rupert Murdoch, taking a leaf out of Remington’s book, enjoyed the ‘95 World Cup so much, he bought the game. With more cash flooding in and the appearance of amateurism gone, the union code is gaining greater popularity in Australia. The national team, or Wallabies, are among Australia’s most successful and celebrated sportsmen. |
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Victorians are absolutely mad for it and the climax of the Aussie Rules calendar, the Grand Final in September, sees 100,000 people pour into the MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground). The “rules” bit is a something of a mystery but approximately the game is a hybrid of rugby and gaelic football, played on a huge oval pitch. The idea is to kick the ball through two upright poles and earn six points. Miss and you get one point, or miss so badly the ball misses the smaller of the adjacent posts and you get zero. Free kicks are awarded for various things like “high-marks” (the quaint custom of stepping on an opponent to catch the ball) but these decisions are always contentious because of the various interpretations of the rules. It is a game of four quarters (20 minutes each plus stoppage time) overseen by seven umpires in total; three on the field, two on the boundary and two at the goals. If you want to know any more you will have to ask a Victorian but you cold do a lot worse than check out a match! |
Fees range between $15- $25 for public courses, while private course will set you back from $30 to $150 for the very best greens. With around $16,000,000 in prize money up for grabs on the Australasian PGA (Professional Golfers’ Association) 2002 Tour, golf pays. Some of the big tournaments include the Australian PGA Championship, the Holden Australian Open Championship, the Jacob's Creek Open Championship, the Clearwater Classic and the Perth International. |
The race itself is held at Flemington and at least 150,000 people get to the race track. Outrageous millinery, showy frocks, champagne, punters, jockeys and horses all blend into one colourful party. The same happens at every suburban and metropolitan race-track in the country; people who live too far away to see the real thing and don’t want to miss out on cup fever and get dressed up and make for their nearest track to watch it on telly. Australians go mad for the cup and over 10 million of them have a flutter. The TAB systems will be processing 30,000 tickets a minute on cup day. Bart Cummins is the most successful trainer in the history of the Melbourne Cup having trained ten winners. |
Exploring canyons requires an assortment of skills from swimming to wading and abseiling. Canyoners can expect to jump into pools of crystal clear water, swim through long passages, abseil down cascading waterfalls and paddle leisurely through subterranean waterways! The canyons are home to much unique plant and animal life including colourful flora, lush ferns, exotic mosses, native fish and multicoloured yabbies which can all be seen on a day in the canyons. Rock climbing is easily the fastest growing and most exciting of all outdoor adventure activities. It is the ultimate outdoor pursuit. Nothing on earth can compare with the challenge and exhilaration of moving gracefully up a vertical cliff face in complete harmony with the rock. Climbing is about balance, concentration and self-confidence. It is about controlled moves planned in advance and purposefully applied. It is not about brute strength. Climbing on rock is like a vertical ballet, whereby one must perform with grace and efficiency while combining both physical and mental abilities to achieve agility and balance. The modern sport of rock climbing has evolved rapidly with advances in techniques and equipment making it much safer as well as more enjoyable and satisfying. |
The first rule of scuba diving - don't hold your breath. Scuba Diving is a dangerous sport which can only be performed in relative safety if you: (a) Get training (b) Pay attention to that training and apply it (c) Recognise that no matter who you are and how trained you are, there are dives which are beyond your personal ability, dives which cannot be safely done with your equipment, and dives that are beyond your training |
However, this changed dramatically under the tutelage of internationally renowned Dutch coach Gus Hiddink, who took Australia to the World Cup finals in Germany in 2006. This was only the second time that Australia has made the finals (the other, also in Gemrany, was in 1974) and many observers believe that the boost to the country's soccer profile, combined with the reorganisation of the national soccer league, will lift the game into a new era. The large number of international Australian players such as Harry Kewell and Mark Viduka demonstrate the great talent of the Aussies. Australia's history in the world Cup qualifiers has been one of near misses, the most painful of which was in 1998, when under Terry Venables, the team went down against Iran 2-2 on the away goals rule, after leading the match 2-0 with five minutes to go. |
The surfer begins at the point where the waves begin to form, then, facing shore, paddles toward the beach with an oncoming wave. When the wave catches the board, the surfer stands up and glides along the wave's crest-or in the case of a large wave, in the tube formed by its overhead curl. You can discover why Australia is synonymous with surfing by taking a coastal drive and gazing at long beaches with great waves. Although the origins of surfing are obscure, it is clear that it developed in Hawaii, where it was popular during the 19th century. It spread to the east coast of Australia in 1915 and became very popular with Australian youth in the 1960s. With lifestyles and regimens freer than those of most athletes, surfers comprise a unique social sub-cult. This surfing culture is definitely prevalent in Australia. With the Australian summer beach culture runs this surf culture, with beaches such as Bondi in Sydney or Bells Beach in Victoria and along the strip of Surfers Paradise in Queensland. There are also other types of surfing practiced in Australia which are spin-offs of this very popular culture. Windsurfing and Kite-surfing are two other popular sports within the code. |
Swimming at a high level in Australia is hard work. AIS (Australian Institute of Sport) swimmers will typically “do 11 sessions per week of two hours each in the pool, three 1 hour weights sessions, and up to three 1 hour fitness or conditioning workouts”. |
The first flight to carry passengers was in September 1783, when the Montgolfier brothers launched a balloon with the passengers being a sheep, a duck and a rooster. The first recorded manned balloon flight was on the 21st of November 1783. Two noblemen from the court of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette piloted the balloon. The flight took place in Paris, in a balloon built by the Montgolfier brothers made out of paper and silk. Ballooning has come a long way since then, when they use to think it was the smoke that made them rise not the heat, so they used anything that would smoke a lot and therefore usually smelt as much as it smoked, such as sheepskins. The modern hot air balloon used for passenger flights was developed in the 1960s in the United states. More recent developments include the use of specially shaped balloons and aided by today’s Computer aided design technology, some amazing shapes can be seen today. |
What's On in New Zealand this Spring?
Invigorating outdoor adventure, indulgent natural spa treatments, & delicious seasonal fare. New Zealand bursts into colour and life at spring time. Read more ...
