ABOUT ACTIVE ADVENTURES AUSTRALIA
Pushing boundaries since 2009, delivering Australia's most extreme outdoor experiences
Our Story
Founded in 2009 by extreme sports enthusiast Marcus Thornfield, Active Adventures Australia began as a small skydiving operation in Byron Bay. After surviving a near-fatal climbing accident in the Blue Mountains, Marcus realized his true calling wasn't just pursuing personal thrills, but sharing the transformative power of extreme adventures with others.
What started with a single Cessna aircraft and three tandem instructors has evolved into Australia's premier extreme adventure company. Over 15 years, we've guided more than 50,000 adventurers through life-changing experiences across Australia's most spectacular landscapes. From the coral gardens of the Great Barrier Reef to the rugged cliffs of the Grampians, we've built a reputation for delivering maximum thrills with uncompromising safety.
Our journey hasn't been without challenges. The 2020 pandemic forced us to reimagine our operations, leading to innovations in safety protocols and sustainable adventure tourism that now set industry standards. Today, we operate from six locations across Australia, employing over 120 certified adventure professionals who share our passion for pushing limits and creating unforgettable memories.
Every adventure we offer is born from our team's personal experiences and refined through years of real-world testing. We don't just provide activities – we create transformative experiences that help people discover their own strength, courage, and connection to Australia's incredible natural environment.
MISSION & VALUES
Our Mission
To provide life-changing extreme adventure experiences that push personal boundaries while maintaining the highest safety standards and environmental responsibility. We believe that conquering fears and embracing challenges in nature's most spectacular settings creates lasting personal transformation and deep appreciation for our natural world.
Safety First
Uncompromising commitment to safety through rigorous training, equipment maintenance, and protocol adherence.
Environmental Stewardship
Protecting Australia's pristine landscapes through sustainable tourism practices and conservation support.
Personal Growth
Empowering individuals to discover their potential through challenging, transformative experiences.
OUR EXPERT TEAM
Marcus Thornfield
Founder & CEO
15+ years of extreme sports leadership. Former professional rock climber with over 3,000 successful adventure expeditions. Marcus holds certifications in skydiving instruction, technical rescue, and wilderness medicine.
Zara Mendoza
Operations Director
Marine biology background with specialized expertise in scuba diving operations. Zara oversees our Great Barrier Reef expeditions and has logged over 2,500 dives in Australian waters with perfect safety record.
Jake Riverside
Head Safety Coordinator
Former Australian Army rescue specialist with advanced wilderness medicine certification. Jake develops our safety protocols and leads emergency response training for all adventure guides and instructors.
ACHIEVEMENTS & RECOGNITION
Industry Leadership
- 🏆 Australia Adventure Tourism Awards - Gold Winner 2023
Excellence in Extreme Sports Operations - 🌟 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence - 5 Years Running
Consistently rated #1 Adventure Company in Queensland - 🛡️ Zero Incident Safety Record - 50,000+ Adventures
Industry-leading safety standards and equipment protocols - 🌿 EarthCheck Environmental Certification
Sustainable adventure tourism practices and conservation support - 📺 Featured in National Geographic's "Extreme Australia"
Showcasing our innovative approach to adventure tourism
50,000+
Adventures Completed
Life-changing experiences delivered across Australia
99.9%
Safety Rating
Uncompromising commitment to participant safety
15+
Years Experience
Industry expertise and proven track record
CLIENT TESTIMONIALS
"The skydiving experience with Active Adventures completely transformed my perspective on life. Marcus and his team made me feel safe while delivering the most incredible rush I've ever experienced. The professionalism and attention to safety detail was outstanding."
Sarah Chen
Marketing Executive, Sydney
"Three years and twelve adventures later, I'm still amazed by this team's expertise. From reef diving to cliff climbing, every experience has been meticulously planned and flawlessly executed. They've helped me discover capabilities I never knew I had."
David Martinez
Engineer, Melbourne
"As someone terrified of heights, I never imagined I'd bungee jump from a 200-foot bridge. Jake's patient guidance and the team's unwavering support helped me conquer my fears. This experience changed my life and showed me what I'm truly capable of."
Emma Thompson
Teacher, Brisbane
BEHIND THE SCENES
READY FOR YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE?
Join thousands of adventurers who have discovered their limits with Australia's premier extreme adventure company. Let our expert team guide you through an unforgettable experience that will challenge your boundaries and create memories to last a lifetime.