5 South East Asia Adventures I’d 100% Do Again

Go beyond the tourist strips and give the palm-shaded pool lounge a break with these top-tier adventures in South East Asia – hand selected by Explorer Julia, who knows the region like the back of her sweaty palm.

Australia is lucky to have South East Asia right on our doorstep: a melting pot of cultures, colourful and herb-heaped cuisines, friendly hospitality, and best of all, a whole lotta adventure. And thanks to AirAsia, the region is easily accessible (and easy on the wallet, too), with direct flights to more than 130 destinations and well-timed connections to major cities and lesser-chartered treasures.

Imagine being enamoured by vine-swinging orangutans in Borneo, jungle trekking to hot springs in Thailand, and wandering temples hidden in alcoves throughout Cambodia’s limestone mountain ranges – need I say more?

To inspire your next sun-drenched sojourn, here are five South East Asia adventures I’d do again in a heartbeat.

1. Hiking and Hot Springs in Krabi

Price: $4AUD for Klong Thom Hot Springs or $9AUD with access to the Khao Phra Bang Khram Nature Reserve and Crystal and Emerald Pool, hiking is FREE
Location: Krabi, Thailand
Distance: 70km from Krabi

There are many good reasons why I keep going back to Thailand – one is Krabi. While the laid-back coastal province is renowned for soaring cliffs and pearl white sands bound by a bubble-gum blue Andaman Sea, it’s also an epicentre for adventures that don’t break the bank.

While some bravely take cues from Spider Man to see Krabi’s natural charms rock climbing in Ao Railay Beach, you can also experience Krabi on two feet hiking. The town is surrounded by trails galore. Want peak vistas? Head along the Khao Ngon-Nak Nature Trail (also known as Dragon Crest Mountain Hike). The challenging 7.2km out-and-back trail offers views of granite bluffs, rainforests, and islands flecking the Andaman Sea.

After your hike, check out one of my favourite Thailand must-see spots, Klong Thom Hot Springs Waterfall. Reaching the paradisal warm waters near Khao Phra Bang Khram Nature Reserve is an adventure in itself, with the springs shrouded by jungle. But of course, it’s worth the trek to experience these revered springs.

The cascading thermal springs feature many small, naturally carved limestone ponds with temperatures ranging from 40-50℃ – perfect for recuperating after a day’s hike! Enjoy the natural hot tub, then dip in the refreshingly cold river stream at the bottom of the falls.  (I recommend doing this a few times!). Other popular zen spots, Emerald Pool and Blue Pool, are located nearby in the reserve.

Hot tip! The heat here can be brutal, so check weather conditions, pack plenty of water, and stay sun smart. (We don’t want anyone to rival a cooked lobster sporting the red look!)

2. Take a Food Safari in Penang

Price: $65
Location: Penang, Malaysia

Satisfy your appetite to experience something new by embarking on a DIY food safari in Malaysia’s food capital, Penang. The UNESCO World Heritage city is famed for its street food and diverse cuisines thanks to its cultural makeup – Malay, Chinese, Indian, Peranakan, and other ethnic groups – with many hawker markets spotted across the island.

A great place to start is Gurney Drive Hawker Centre. The open-air market (open daily from 6pm) offers the island’s biggest variety of street food and buzzes with food stalls and plastic table seating under bright lights. Get a heaped serving of rice noodles, Char Koay Teow, or a bowl of soul food with Penang’s speciality sour noodles, Asam Laska.

Photo by Malaysia Tourism

Overwhelmed deciding what to chomp and chew? Be guided by foodie pros on A Chef’s Tour’s Penang food tour. Work your way through the island’s culinary heart, George Town, by the fork, chopsticks, and with your own two hands, sampling the best street eats on this four-hour tour that includes over 15 tastings. How’s that for a big breakfast?

3. Discover Temple Mountains Near Phnom Penh

Location: Kampot, Cambodia
Distance: 154km south of Phnom Penh (three-hour drive)

You’ve been blown away by Angkor Wat in Siem Reap – what’s next? Head south to the riverside city, Kampot famed for its pepper (seriously, it’s addictive!). Use the city as a base and hire a driver for the day to discover Cambodia’s underrated marvels, such as Kampong Trach.

The province bordering Vietnam is known for its razored limestone mountain ranges and crags. Within one of those mountains is a large ‘secret’ cave of the same name and a series of underground tunnels. The cave’s roof has collapsed, with the open-air enclave, concealed by soaring cliffs, used as temple grounds and numerous worship spaces.

The area around the mountain is pretty impressive, too. The best way to see it in good timing (and to avoid prolonged sun exposure) is to go on a horse cart ride with a local to appreciate its enormity. It’s also possible to hike to a mountain temple, but I recommend doing this with someone else.

After a day of adventuring, call it a night at Eden Eco Village. The riverside retreat in the Cham village offers simple thatched bungalows opposing jungle and mountains (I suggest admiring the view from your hammock along the water’s edge). The eco-friendly getaway also offers guests free kayaks, bicycles, and tube hire to make the most of this serene setting. Pure bliss.

4. Climb Mt Kinabalu Two Ways

Location: Sabah, Malaysia

Mix mountain climbing and orangutan spotting in Sabah – the northern tip of Malaysia Borneo offers adventures galore. Start with summiting Mount Kinabalu, one of South East Asia’s highest mountains looming large 4,095 metres above sea level. It takes two days to reach the top, hiking through multiple ecosystems including rainforests, gnarly rocky formations, and alpine meadows. Many companies including Intrepid Travel, offer guided hiking trips.

Photo by Malaysia Tourism

Another mountain challenge to take on (which is very hands-on) is Mountain Torq, the world’s highest via ferrata. Asia’s first via ferrata is at Mount Kinabalu’s Panalaban rock face. The gruelling climb starts at 3,200 metres, and peaks at 3,776 above sea level. There are two circuits to choose from – Walk the Torq and Low’s Peak Circuit – with both routes suited for beginners to advanced climbers.

Photo by Malaysia Tourism

5. Deep Dive into the Philippines

Location: Palawan, The Philippines 

In many cases, reaching utopia requires effort – the Philippine province of Palawan is that kind of place. But trust me, the short flight or long overnight boat ride from Manila is worth getting to this brightly-hued archipelago to discover what lurks below. 

The fishing village Coron in Northern Palawan is a double whammy of playground and textbook paradise. Its clear blue waters, soaring karst limestone formations, jungle, thriving reefs, waterfalls, and secreted lagoons are a spectacular backdrop to snorkelling and scuba diving. 

Coron is a gateway to some of the world’s best wreck dives (diving with Coron Divers Dive Center is a good start!). Coron Bay has a collection of WWII Japanese shipwrecks resting here, which all met their demise in a fierce raid by US aircraft on 24th September 1944. The wartime wrecks are roughly 5-40 metres below sea level, with some of the most popular dive sites Akitsushima, Irako, and Olympia Maru. It’s confronting to see once-dangerous weapons on ships reduced to twisted, damaged metal scraps on the seabed, now environments where marine life thrives. 

I’ll never tire of travelling to South East Asia as there is so much to see, do – and, of course, eat. (You’ve got to refuel, right?) Thankfully, the good life is within easy reach. AirAsia offers access to over 130 destinations with flights kind to your bank balance. Now, what adventure should I go on next?

Feature photo by Tourism Authority of Thailand
Table of contents photo by Malaysia Tourism