Aussie getting more adventurous later in life

From African safaris to volunteering in developing countries and even bungee jumping or sky diving, older Australians are increasingly seeking adventure in retirement.

New research from ING DIRECT reveals almost two in three Australians are planning to set off on an ‘outside the norm’ holiday when retired.

To fuel your wanderlust for adventure, ING DIRECT lists activities Australians actually want to do later in life, along with destinations to consider:

Top retirement adventure activities according to ING DIRECT research:

African safari (44 percent)

Angola is predicted to become a hotspot for tourism over the next 10 years. Investing in its national parks, the country is also re-introducing animals from neighbouring countries to build up its wildlife following the civil war.

Biking or trekking (43 percent)

Nepal is, and always will be, the perfect destination for adventure – especially for those interested in trekking. Aside from the popularity of the Himalayan Mountains, we recommend trekking through the Kathmandu Valley. You can also discover the temples in the valley of the gods – a spiritual place where Hinduism and Buddhism meet.

Hot air ballooning (37 percent)

Cappadocia in Turkey is a worldly odyssey that needs to be uncovered, particularly from high above. You can spend the night in one of the cave hotels, and the mornings are riddled with hot air balloons taking in the sunrise.

Volunteer in a developing country (23 percent)

Mongolia may be among the poorest and least developed countries in Asia, but it is a treasure trove of hauntingly beautiful scenery and intriguing culture. Organisations dedicated to volun-tourism can connect volunteers with opportunities to help within the healthcare, education and childcare industries.

Sailing (22 percent)

Croatia is perfect destination for sailing. Often appealing to the younger generations, its beautiful coastline is luring more and more retirees looking for a mix of land and sea adventure.

Join an archaeological dig (22 percent)

Offering rich archaeological and architectural heritage, Uzbekistan is slowly becoming known as a popular destination amongst mountaineers and rock climbers. As Aussies look for more ‘out of the norm’ holidays, Uzbekistan is the perfect destination that mixes history, adventurous activities and culture.

Skiing / snowboarding (17 percent)

Morocco is well-known for its hot and humid weather, especially in the Sahara Desert. However what it isn’t known for is snow. Situated high in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, Oukaïmeden is one of Africa’s premier ski resorts and is located around 80 km south of Marrakesh – you will even find donkey taxis to take you up the slopes!

Bungee jumping / skydiving (12 percent)

Probably one to leave to the most extreme sports enthusiasts, the new (and hottest!) trend emerging out of Chile is Volcano Bungee Jumping. You literally jump into a volcano. The bungee jump takes place over Villarrica, which is about 750km away from Santiago, and is one of Chile’s most active volcanoes.

Time waits for no one so if these amazing experiences have you ready to ditch the traditional ‘flop and drop’ retirement holiday and plan a thrill-seeking adventure, visit ING DIRECT to learn how you can save for retirement and tick them off your bucket list!

Mongolia_Flickr - Bernd Thaller Safari_Flickr - brainstorm1984

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