The Best Spots to Skydive in Australia

The Best Spots to Skydive in Australia

6 September 2019

The Best Spots to Skydive in Australia - Backpackers World Travel Blog

Image thanks to Greyhounds

Updated June 2025
Originally published September 2019

Oh, humans. What an interesting bunch of creatures we are. Ever since the big, looming dangers of life slowly began to fade away we’ve searched endlessly for activities to spice things up a bit. Activities with the ever present thrill of running up to death's door, knocking, and then running away like a cheeky 10 year old. We’ve come up with all sorts of ways to live on the edge. Bungy jumping, bull fighting, running from bulls (we’re looking at you Pamplona) hangliding, cave diving, parkour, and of course the classic throwing yourself out of a plane and hoping the parachute opens, skydiving.

Skydiving might sound like a terrible idea in theory - but in practice, it’s surprisingly safe. Especially tandem jumps, which are now so regulated and refined that you’re statistically more likely to be struck by lightning or stung to death by a bee. Over the past decade, tandem skydives have averaged just 0.002 fatalities per 1,000 jumps. Basically, it’s more like an extreme Disney ride than a flirt with fate.

So if you’re going to do it, make it epic. The one thing that separates a decent skydive from an unforgettable one? The view. Skydiving is hands-down the best way to take in Australia’s most jaw-dropping landscapes - from beaches and reefs to rainforest and desert. Not sure where to take the leap? We’ve got you covered.

 

Mission Beach 

Mission Beach Skydiving

Image thanks to Experience Oz

When it comes to skydiving in Australia, beaches rule, and Mission Beach is top-tier. You won’t be doing HALO jumps like Tom Cruise in Mission: Impossible - Fallout, but you will be freefalling from 15,000ft over one of the most visually stunning drop zones in the country.

 

The rush? Unreal. The views? Even better.

 

From the moment you exit the plane, you're treated to a sweeping panorama: 14km of white sand, lush tropical rainforest, scattered tropical islands, and even a slice of the Great Barrier Reef - all visible at once, all while you're falling at 200km/hr.

 

If you’re anywhere near Cairns or the Cassowary Coast, make it your mission to tick this one off. It’s not just one of the best skydives in Queensland - it’s one of the best in the country.

 

Want to skydive at mission beach? Check out our skydive here.

 

 

Great Ocean Road

Great Ocean Road Tours

Image thanks to Skydive Australia

If you’re not in the Tropical North Queensland area the Great Ocean Road might be more your style.

Launching from 15,000ft, this Great Ocean Road Skydive delivers sweeping coastal views of Victoria’s most iconic road trip route.

You’ll freefall over rugged cliffs, turquoise surf breaks, and the winding coastline below. On a clear day, you might even spot Port Phillip Bay, the Bellarine Peninsula, and the distant skyline of Melbourne shimmering on the horizon.

It’s hands-down one of the best skydives in Victoria - dramatic, scenic, and unforgettable.

 

Cairns

Skydive Australia

Image thanks to RedBalloon

Not a fan of blue skies and sunshine? Prefer your near-death experiences with a touch of drama? Maybe you’re a vampire who’s always dreamed of skydiving. Well, Cairns has you covered - it’s one of the only places in Australia where you can do a night skydive.

This unique jump feels more like a covert military op than a tourist thrill. You’ll leap into the darkness from 15,000ft, freefalling under the stars with the twinkling lights of Cairns City spread out below. It’s intense, surreal, and completely unforgettable.

Whether you’re chasing adrenaline or just want to brag about doing something most people didn’t know existed, a night skydive in Cairns is a top-tier way to level up your East Coast adventure.

 

Airlie Beach

Airlie Beach Skydiving

Image thanks to Barrier Reef Dive Travel

If you’re heading through Queensland’s Whitsundays region, a skydive over Airlie Beach is an absolute must. It’s easily one of the most beautiful jumps in Australia - maybe even the world.

As you freefall from up to 15,000ft at speeds of over 200km/hr, the views hit hard: a swirl of turquoise water, bright white sandbars, and lush tropical islands scattered across the Whitsundays. On clear days, you can spot parts of the Great Barrier Reef, sparkling like something out of a screensaver.

It’s breathtaking. It’s intense. And yes - it’s mildly terrifying in the best possible way.

 

Fraser Island (K’gari)

Fraser Island Skydiving

Image thanks to RedBalloon

Ever dreamed of a beach landing with your skydive? What if we could guarantee it 100% of the time? Welcome to Fraser Island - the world’s largest sand island - where the beach is exactly what you get. Everywhere is essentially a beach, so your toes are hitting sand no matter what.

Jumping from up to 15,000ft, you’ll score panoramic views over Rainbow Beach, Tin Can Bay, and the spectacular coastline of Fraser Island (K'gari). The descent alone is unforgettable - but the real bonus is what comes after.

Once you land, you’re already in one of the most unique places on the planet. Spend the day exploring Lake McKenzie, the rusted bones of the Maheno Shipwreck, or the clifftops at Indian Head. And keep your eyes peeled - spotting a wild dingo is always a possibility out here.

Looking to jump onto Fraser? Check out our Fraser Island Skydive here.

 

Uluru 

Uluru Tours

Image thanks to Journey Era

Most Aussie skydives serve up sun, sea, and sand. But if you're over beaches and looking for something truly different - swap coastlines for the red heart of the outback with a skydive over Uluru.

Here, it’s all about the desert. You’ll jump from 12,000ft above the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, watching the ancient monolith rise from the ochre plains like something out of a dream. It’s quiet, remote, and jaw-droppingly beautiful - easily one of the most unique places on Earth to take the leap.

And if you really want to level it up? Time your jump for golden hour. A sunset skydive lets you descend as the red sun dips behind the rock, casting warm shadows across the desert floor. Unforgettable doesn't even begin to cover it.

 

Byron Bay

Image thanks to Dundee Adventure

Skydive Byron Bay is the East Coast classic - the one you’ve probably seen all over Instagram. And for good reason. From 15,000ft, you’ll get the best of both worlds: endless beaches on one side and rolling green hinterland on the other. It’s a view that screams Australia, and a jump that’s been on backpacker bucket lists for decades.

The drop zone here is right near the coast, so you’ll be spotting whales (if it’s the right season), waves, and mountain ranges in the same breathless minute of freefall. It’s all pretty surreal - especially once your parachute opens and you can take it all in at a slower pace.

Whether it’s your first jump or your tenth, tandem skydiving in Byron Bay is one of the most scenic, reliable, and well-loved jumps in the country. Bonus: the town’s not a bad place to recover with a post-skydiving beer either.

 

Indoor VR Skydiving 

Indoor VR Skydiving

Image thanks to adrenaline

Not quite ready to jump out of a plane at 15,000ft? Fair enough - skydiving isn’t for everyone. But if you still want a taste of the freefall feeling, iFly indoor skydiving is a solid alternative.

With vertical wind tunnels in Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth, iFly lets you float mid-air in a controlled indoor environment - no parachute, no planes, no nerves. And if you still want the jaw-dropping views without the altitude anxiety, their VR skydiving experience combines real-world footage with the indoor tunnel to give you the sensation of leaping over locations like the Swiss Alps, Hawaii… or yes, even Australia’s best skydive zones.

Bonus? You can do multiple dives in one visit - and it won’t empty your bank account like a traditional tandem jump.

  

Ready to Take the Leap?

Whether you’re chasing views of the reef, rainforest, city lights or desert plains - Australia’s skydiving scene has something for every thrill-seeker. These are the kind of memories that stick for life (especially if you get the video add-on).

Not sure which one’s right for you?Explore our full range of skydives or chat to our team to help you pick the perfect drop zone.