With a fear of heights, you basically freak out and just go for it. If you’re looking for something to do entertain your kids, nieces, nephews, cousins and other family members Illawarra Fly Treetops Adventure Tour is a unique outdoor experience in Knights Hill, down the South Coast NSW which thankfully was not affected by bushfires (apart from some lingering smoke from neighboring regions affected by bushfire) when I was there during the holiday season. Perched in treetops, we had a group of 15 family members split into two groups who accompanied me to experience the treetop zipline tour just before New Years Day. The fear of heights ranged from ‘no fear’ demonstrated by the youngest ones in our group to “I have a fear of heights” … that would be me.
Illawarra Fly Treetops is home to Australia’s highest Zipline Tour and Treetop Walk experience. The Treetop Walk is a gentle 1.5 kilometre loop track with 500 metres of elevated steel walkway through the treetops, some 20-30 metres above the forest floor. This steel walkway features two cantilevered arms and culminates at Knights Tower, a spiral tower that rises to a breathtaking 45 metres above ground.
Positioned 710 metres above sea level, the stunning panoramic views take in everything from the rainforest canopy, coastal towns and out to the Pacific Ocean. During the time I was there, it was the start of the bushfire season in the South Coast of NSW and we could see the blanket of smoke across the South Coast region.
Officially the highest Zipline in Australia, the Illawarra Fly Zipline Tour is a unique eco-wilderness adventure that takes place in the magnificent Illawarra rainforest. The Tour involves flying on a series of elevated cable spans and navigating suspension bridges from one tree platform to another, some 35 metres above the forest floor.
Our tour began with a ground school where we suited up in harnesses and lanyards and did some practicing with the help of the guides, who later clipped and unclipped lanyards to send us zipping or hold us back.
We reached the first zipline. “Doesn’t look too high – I can do this”, I thought to myself. A guide beside me clicked the two lanyards from my climbing harness to a pulley on the zip line. “Arghhhh …!” I screamed, as tree trunks, leaves and flashes of sky rushed by me as hurtled through the first lot of rainforest and then onto the first cloud station. My heart pounded.
One zipline down – ladder steps next. When I reached the first lot of ladder steps, I balked, hesitated and thought I couldn’t do it when I looked down. Then I realised that was the only way to get across … so with a deep breath and a death grip hold on the ropes, 5 minutes later, one footstep after the other I walked across the ladder.
Here are some tips if you have a fear of heights:
1. Trust the equipment strapped to you – trust the engineering. It will support you so you won’t fall;
2. Don’t look down, look straight across or up and enjoy the scenery
3. One footstep in front of the other will prevent the ladder from wobbling. I’m glad I did it. It was fun, scary at the same time and rewarding.
Other tips
- Book a zipline tour at a specific time online. It is cheaper than if you purchase when you get there and with school holidays the day we went was pretty full.
- It is a 2 hours’ drive south of Sydney. Arrive 30 minutes early so you can sign the relevant forms and put your stuff in the locker.
- Bring your own food and drinks if you have a large crowd – my family brough ‘banh mi’ picnic basket (bread rolls and Vietnamese condiments of cold meats and pickled vegetables – easy, nice and healthy).
- Enjoy the experience and views.
- I didn’t have my DSLR camera with me as it was way too heavy to carry but I had my iphone attached inside a plastic sleeve that secures around your neck you can purchase for $10 (the photos here were taken through the plastic sleeve so they are a little ‘soft’ looking). Otherwise bring a go pro and attach that to you. You can see video footage of my zipline on my saved Instastories highlights too.
Despite the nervousness and fear, the zipline was fun and exhilarating experience for me as it was challenging and in the end it was good to know I could conquer my fears. Interestingly, the little ones had no fear and easily zipped and crossed the ladders with qualms. The little ones seem to be veterans at this knowing full well that this was basically a thrill ride with the foliage a blur along the way. By the last zipline though back to homebase, I had eased up my death grip on my lanyards and felt quite at home at leaf level.
Illawarra Fly Treetops Adventure
82 Knights Hill Rd, Knights Hill NSW 2577
https://www.illawarrafly.com/
See.Taste.Do attended this tour in collaboration with Illawarra Fly Treetops Adventure
