Southeast Queensland is the ideal playground for those who like to get the blood pumping. Abseiling down rugged cliffs, leaping from planes, kayaking down rivers: There is little time for standing still in this part of the world. Here are some local highlights for adrenaline junkies:
Kayaking on the Brisbane River
Even novice paddlers can take to the Brisbane River, either by day or at night, when the city lights create a magical setting.
Guided tours leave from the Kangaroo Point cliffs (a noted abseiling location), with local landmarks including the Maritime Museum, the Brisbane Botanical Gardens, and South Bank Parklands.
Need for Speed
The latest craze in power sports is the Can-Am Spyder Roadster motorbike, which you can hire at Coolangatta. You'll need a clean, current motorcycle licence to take out this three-wheeled roadster powered by a 1000cc Rotax engine.
Stand-Up Paddle Boarding
Stand-up paddle boarding/surfing was invented in the Pacific Islands generations ago and involves standing on a wide 
surfboard while paddling. Easy to learn, it's a fun way to keep fit while exploring the Gold Coast.
Story Bridge Abseil
This is the latest in adventure sports for southeast Queensland and a novel way of descending from Brisbane's Story Bridge. Nowhere else in the world can complete novices climb a bridge and abseil down.
Head in the Clouds
The Gold Coast hinterland hotspot of O'Reilly's in Lamington National Park is where you'll go to experience the famous tree-top walk. Ideal for families, this (free) memorable journey brings you through a canopy of rainforest trees, orchids, and ferns, surrounded by birds and other tree-top wildlife. A first for Australia, the tree-top walk extends 180 metres over nine suspension bridges, with most of the walkway suspended 15 metres above the ground.
Climb Mount Tibrogargan
You can scale Mount Tibrogargan any number of ways, but the easiest (and longest) is the Cave's Route. Newcomers to the area should probably start with a guided climb. The truly intrepid can head to the volcanic plug, which offers some of the longest multi-pitch climbs in Australia.
Glide into the Sunset
See southeast Queensland in all its silent splendour as a glider pilot. A gliding instructor will help you fulfill your dreams of high-flying adventure for a day. On the Sunshine Coast (less than 150km from the Gold Coast), gliding companies take off from Caboolture and Maroochydore airports.
Go Off-Road
This is one the kids will love. The whole family can enjoy a few hours on a four-wheel all-terrain vehicle (ATV). Available either as a self-drive or passenger adventure, ATV and quad bike trips are a great way of doing some sightseeing in a unique and fun way, especially on the backroads of the Numinbah Valley in the Gold Coast hinterland.
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