My Skydiving Experience In Australia

It seemed that my 2015 started off on a high right from January. ‘High’ as in the height of the places I went to and the activities that I did in those places. The high escalated in Australia when I was there in March.

I suppose having a bunch of travel-bugs as friends does not help curb my own desire of traveling. I met Duncan at a press trip in Penang a month before my Australia trip. We only first met at that press trip, started a chat about our interests and I was immediately taken up by his upbeat attitude and travel stories. He’s a born Irish but have lived all over the world, including Australia for the past 12 years. When he found out I was planning to go to Australia in March, he asked me if I had any plans to Skydive.

Skydiving

I was intrigued. I haven’t given much thought of skydiving for my trip to Australia, although it has always been one of the top “must-do” things in my bucketlist – including bungee jumping at Kawarau Bridge in New Zealand, climbing the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, wingsuit flying (I have no idea where’s the best place to wingsuit fly but I always planned on doing it Mission Impossible style!), and many more.

So, I thought to myself, why not? Listening to Duncan describing how it feels like to see the world when you’re in the air was like giving candy to a 5 year old. I was sold the moment he said, “The experience is indescribable. Amazing. You have to do it at least once in your life.”

All I needed was to find out which company offers the best Skydiving packages. Since there are quite a number of companies offering skydiving packages in Gold Coast Australia (where I was going), I’ve got to study each one of them and look out for feedbacks or reviews on them too.

After much consideration and planning according to budget – the currency exchange from Malaysian Ringgit to Australian Dollars was not helping at all – I decided to go with the company called Skydive Australia.

Skydive Details

Tandem Skydiving

I have never skydived before. So, for my first experience, I will definitely do tandem skydiving.

There are many packages offered by Skydive Australia but I end up choosing the 14,000 feet tandem skydive with 60 seconds free fall and DVD Handcam package. All of these totaled up to AUS$441.44.

Skydiving Price

The price above does not include insurance. However, if you have travel insurance for your trip, you may use that.

Skydiving with Skydive Australia (Byron Bay)

I registered for the skydive through its website. Among other required details, I also had to include my address of residence because the package includes return transportation to Byron Bay (where it’s closest to my place of residence). The skydiving location is at Tyagrah Airfield. Byron Bay is in New South Wales, an hour’s drive away from Gold Coast, Queensland. The timezone is also different, New South Wales being an hour in advance from Queensland.

Skydive Byron Bay

Everything was quick and efficient here. When we arrived, we were asked to fill up a consent form and to register ourselves in their database so that we can get updates for future skydiving packages and offers. By registering, we also become a part of the Ultimate Adventure Sport and the Australian Parachute Federation (APF) member.

Folding parachutes
Folding parachutes
The other group is descending
The other group is descending

After registering, we loitered around the area to wait for our turn. This is the time for you to make new friends or purchase some official merchandises to kill time. I made friends with a girl from China, an adventurous solo traveler who have been traveling the world for the past 4 years. There were another two girls from Venezuela who were in Australia for the first time. We chatted and waited for almost 15 minutes before it was our turn.

Our group consists of 8 girls, a mixture from Asia and Europe. We were suited up with many belts and buckles across our chests, waists, backs and thighs. Then, we were taught how to seat at the edge of the plane in a position called the ‘banana’, for when it’s time to jump out of the plane. There was a simple demonstration on what to do during free fall, security details and what to do before landing.

By this time, each of us were wondering out loud why we want to do all this. Then, one by one, our tandem master came and lead us to the plane so there was no time left for regrets.

Cheeky
Cheeky
Bye bye land
Bye bye land
Wow. That looked so far
Wow. That looked so far

Was I afraid? No.

I did get butterflies in my stomach when the plane took off and I saw the land getting smaller and smaller. But once the door was opened, I saw the great big ocean in the distance and each pair of divers started jumping, I was exhilarated. I just thought to myself, “We only live once. It’s now or never.”

So how was it the second I am in the air? Oh my God. We somersaulted in the air 3 times – the sky and the sea all upside down. Then, we started free falling. It was so cold up there, I was so glad I chose to wear my jeans instead of shorts. 60 seconds free falling feels like such a short time!

This is not an orgasm face. LOL!
This is not an orgasm face. LOL! The world is upside down.
Free Falling
Free Falling

One advice though, if you’re the type who likes to scream out your anxiety, don’t. The cold, strong wind will dry your mouth and throat in seconds.

I manouvered the parachute!!
I manouvered the parachute!!

What did I see up there? A world of greatness and beauty. It’s like the whole world is under you for as far as the eye can see. The experience is unlike any I’ve had before. The exhilaration, the butterflies in my stomach, the wind in my hair, the flying-without-wings feeling are things that you need to feel for yourself.

Just one word – amazing. Duncan was right.

on the ground

Landing was smooth for me. The second my feet touched the ground, I wanted to do it again – if only it wasn’t a flipping 299 Aussie dollars! All the girls in my group were skipping and laughing when we reached land. We all wanted to do it again (yes, if only it was cheaper).

Would I skydive again? In a heartbeat. Totally.

——

If you’re looking for a new activity to experience, you should try skydiving at least once in your lifetime. However, you must make sure you are healthy and physically able to do this sport beforehand. If you’re a seasoned skydiver, I’m sure you would enjoy the scenery above Byron Bay.

Skydive Australia has 6 skydiving locations in Australia. You may check the places closest to you here.

 Skydive Australia
 P.O. Box 1615 Byron Bay
 NSW Australia 2481
 Tel: 1300 800 840
 Email: info@australiaskydive.com
 Web : skydivebyronbay.com.au

Written by 

LizzaBella is a part-time traveler, amateur photographer and videographer and writer. Connect with LizzaBella through her social medias today!

35 thoughts on “My Skydiving Experience In Australia

  1. Good post. I could feel your emotions throughout it.

    That would be MYR1,369.33 at today’s FOREX! You’re right. If only it was cheaper!

  2. wow so fun and adventurous. Yeah once a life time, this experience will forever in memory.

    1. Actually I do hope I can do it again. But first, I need to save up some cash. :p

  3. Wow this is so fun! I guess the exhilaration has overcome the fear and nervousness 😀 nice experience!

  4. wow it is such a great experience. but perhaps i am not that brave like u

    1. Yes it is a great experience. I’m just a little crazy of height-related activities these days.

  5. Aliza sara says:

    Thats a lot of money out for a possible chance to get a heart attack! haha. But this is definitely on my bucket list 🙂

    1. LOL! Since I have no heart problems (yet), that’s why I did it. Don’t want to wait till I’m too old that I’ll die from high blood pressure. 😛

  6. Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, Bella you are soooooo brave…. I really do not think I am up to this….. hahahah…..

    1. Hehe.. Yeah some people might not be okay with it. Maybe next time I’ll do it solo, instead of tandem skydiving. But first, save money!

  7. wow so syok get to experience sky diving, but super brave too. im not sure i dare to do it so syabas to you!

  8. Do they allow you to use your own camera equipments? Say GoPros and such? Especially when we already have all the straps and grips that is used often for extreme sports?

    1. Nope we can’t use our own gear since they have the package for photos and videos. I took the video package and they used a GoPro strapped to my tandem partner’s arms. I guess it’s a way for them to make extra cash too. Since the photo/video package aren’t cheap.

  9. Bravo, Bella! I must try it out at least once in my life 🙂

    1. Once in a lifetime Rawlins.. If you hate it, don’t do it again. But I can guarantee you, once you do it, you’ll be hooked. Haha

  10. I don’t think I have the guts to try this.. will try to overcome my fear to go for this next time.

    1. I just think it’s one of those things I gotta do at least once – apart from bungee jumping at NZ and flying a small airplane. Haha..

  11. OMG so much fun!! I’ve been dreaming to do skydiving too, at least once in my life time 🙂

    1. Then I’m sure you would enjoy something like this! Do give it a try if you have the chance.

  12. My sis stay in Australia! I will ask her about this. Next time I come to Australia and wan try this brave skyjumping! Great.

    1. Which part of Australia is your sister at? There are quite a lot of skydiving companies in Australia. I’m sure you’ll have a lot of fun. But first, gotta do homework and check for the best company. 🙂

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