One of Australia’s most remarkable natural gifts, the Great Barrier Reef is blessed with the breathtaking beauty of the world’s largest coral reef. The reef contains an abundance of marine life and comprises of over 3,000 individual reef systems and coral cays and literally hundreds of picturesque tropical islands with some of the world’s most beautiful sun-soaked, golden beaches. A visitor to the Great Barrier Reef can enjoy many experiences including snorkelling, scuba diving, aircraft or helicopter tours, bare boats (self-sail), glass-bottomed boat viewing, semi-submersibles and educational trips, cruise ship tours, whale watching and swimming with dolphins.
Things to do....
The Great Barrier Reef Attractions
The Great Barrier Reef provides so much to discover. You can explore Port Douglas, or visit the Hayman Island resort. The Whitsunday Islands make for a great day trip, while the Daintree Rainforest is a majestic place to spend some time.
Port Douglas
From glamorous Four Mile Beach to the wilderness of Dickson Inlet, picturesque Port Douglas has become an international holiday mecca and is only 70 kilometres north of Cairns. Development is low-rise, low-key and relaxing. It is regarded as the most popular base from which to explore the northern areas of the reef and rainforest coast of Daintree and Cape Tribulation. Despite its popularity and sophisticated five-star accommodation, it retains a close community atmosphere.
Hayman Island
Hayman Island is a relatively small island, only 400 hectares (4 km long by 3 km wide) with particularly beautiful views to the south. On a sparkling sunny day, the colour of the water of Hayman’s lagoon and Whitsunday Passage are simply stunning, the hues range from gold to turquoise to emerald to sapphire. Hayman Island Resort is like no other. Situated around a crescent-shaped, white, sandy bay on the south-western side, the resort is the only facility on the island. The buildings have been designed to blend in with the natural beauty of the surroundings.
Cairns
Cairns is a modern, sophisticated city, and is an ideal destination from which to explore the wider Tropical North Queensland region with front door access to World Heritage listed Reef, Rainforest and Outback. The city itself is where much of the accommodation is situated close to international standard restaurants, boutique shopping, modern art galleries and evening entertainment.
The Whitsunday Islands
The Whitsunday Islands are all about relaxing. Let the calming force of nature take its course and surrender to a gentle sea breeze or for some serious pampering book in at a day spa at one of the island’s resorts. If there is a perfect holiday destination on the Queensland coast it is probably the Whitsundays.
The Daintree Rainforest
The Daintree Rainforest of Far North Queensland is one of the world’s most important ecological habitats. Listed as a World Heritage Site in 1988, this magnificent pocket of the natural green tropical jungle offers a getaway experience like no other. Even though much of the forest is a national park, visitors will be able to find an abundance of things to see and do, not to mention comfortable accommodation. Bushwalking is a popular activity in the Daintree with many kilometres of walking tracks that lead through some of the densest and most pristine natural forests on the planet. The wildlife that visitors will no doubt see includes rare species like tree kangaroos, swamp wallabies, kingfishers, tree snakes, and of course, the jewel-like cassowary. It is advised to explore the walking trails on recognised tours. Half-day, full-day and several-hour walks are available.
Climate and Average Weather
The Great Barrier Reef
Notes on visiting....
Time Zone
Adelaide Local Time +9.5 Hours GMT
Passport
You require a valid passport and visa for the duration of stay