When you’re in the heart of Brisbane, there are plenty of activities to keep you busy, even if you’re after some action packed thrill seeking adventures.

Here are the top 5 activities you may want to consider if you’re keen to get your blood pumping while in this beautiful city.

Experience the excitement of a hot air balloon ride

While it may not be the most adrenalin-pumping activity you can imagine, there is a certain thrill to be had from seeing the city’s twinkling lights from up above.

In a hot air balloon, you can float through the clouds in a basket and enjoy the open air view below you. This is an entirely different way to see the city in all its glory.

Balloon rides usually last around an hour and depending on what kind of sights you want to see, you could even consider taking your Brisbane car rental to a local township and view a more pastoral scene. Alternatively, check out the big city lights from above – the choice is yours!

Take an action-packed trip to Dreamworld

Located in the sunny Gold Coast, you may have to drive a short distance (around 40 minutes) to reach this theme park, but if you have a thirst for terrifying rides and adventure, you won’t be disappointed.

Dreamworld is home to some of the world’s tallest and fastest rides – if you want a slice of the action, check out some of the 8 Big Thrill rides.

Pandamonium is in the form of a swinging rickshaw ride, but beware, it has a split personality. The Giant Drop is a 38 storey freefall and the Claw will have you reaching heights of 9 storeys, at speeds of 64 kmh while spinning the full 360 degrees.

Another must-do is the Tower of Terror 2. This is one of the world’s tallest and fastest thrill rides, so make sure you check it out.

Tackle the Story Bridge Adventure Climb

Brisbane is home to this special adventure experience – it is a fabulous way to discover the city, all the while quenching that thirst for adventure.

It is a two and a half hour adventure climb that will have you scaling the city’s Story Bridge. Once you reach the summit, you can experience all the wonder of 360 degree city views. From here you will be able to spot sparkling skyscrapers, the bubbling river and awe-inspiring mountain tops.

Not only that, but climbers will also be treated to a commentary about the history of the bridge and the journey Brisbane has gone through. It’s hard to believe this bustling metropolis was once a 19th century penal settlement.

You could also opt to abseil down the bridge, which provides a whole other level of excitement.

Do a loop-the-loop in a vintage Tiger Moth

Take your Brisbane Airport car hire across to the Gold Coast and soak up the sun’s rays from amongst the clouds.

Here you can take a joy ride in one of the vintage Tiger Moth aircraft that have been around since 1931 – these trips are sure to get your heart pounding, particularly when the pilot begins to do loop-the-loops over the beautiful beaches and near Stradbroke Island.

If you’re not quite ready for that level of excitement, you could take the calmer scenic flight that will glide over the hinterland rainforest and beach.

These flights last between 20 minutes to an hour and children must be at least eight years old to fly.

Partake in a nighttime guided kayaking tour

Once you’ve seen the sights from above, you might be keen to see how the city looks from below. Participating in a guided kayaking tour will let you get an entirely different view of the city.

While you could choose to partake in a daytime kayak, enjoying this activity at night will better allow you to see the twinkling lights of the city’s most iconic buildings, such as Southbank, the Botanic Gardens and the Maritime Museum.