Holidays to the Great Barrier Reef
Running mostly parallel to the coast of Queensland, Australia, the Great Barrier Reef is at some points less than ten miles offshore. The reef runs from just north of Brisbane right up the coast to Cape York.
As well as being composed of living coral, the Great Barrier Reef is home to a vast array of marine wildlife, including whales, dolphins, turtles and more than 1500 species of fish.
Travelling to the Great Barrier Reef
International flights in to Queensland will arrive into either Brisbane or Cairns, with regular connecting flights between the two. It is possible to access the Whitsunday Islands and the southern reef from Brisbane whilst Cairns and Port Douglas are the gateways to the more northern parts of the reef.
Other entry points for getting to the Great Barrier Reef are Rockhampton and Airlie Beach for departures to the Whitsunday Islands. Townsville and Mission Beach for Magnetic Island and the middle reefs, whilst Cape Tribulation (north of Cairns and Port Douglas) does give direct access to the northern Great Barrier Reef.
Visiting the Great Barrier Reef
Not surprisingly, the best way to visit the Great Barrier Reef is by boat. Day cruises to the Great Barrier Reef are particularly popular from Cairns and Port Douglas, but are also available from most of the locations mentioned above as well. Your day cruise will usually start in the morning with a high-speed catamaran sailing to the outer reef from where you will be able to participate in a range of activities including snorkelling, sun-bathing, glass-bottom boat tours, or even visiting a tropical island.
A helicopter flight over the Great Barrier Reef is possible as are fixed-wing aircraft flights as well. There are a variety of options available to get a birds-eye view of the coral and marine life, varying from a 30-minute scenic flight, to a helicopter that will actually touch down on one of the remote islands, allowing you to explore further for a short period of time. Certainly the aerial view gives a great perspective on how vast the reef actually is.
In addition to snorkelling, those with the right qualifications can join specific dive tours that take in various locations on the reef to spend longer below the waves. Equipment is provided to those that require it and beginners can even learn to dive as part of a PADI course.
A sailing cruise around the Whitsundays and other islands can be a great way of discovering some of the lesser-known islands and parts of the reef. These can be completed as a round-trip in a day, but to get further off-shore a three or four day cruise can be recommended.
Those who are less sure in the water also have options around the Great Barrier Reef. Day tours and visits to various islands are possible from departure points such as Cairns and Airlie Beach. These tours allow you to see the reef from the boat and explore islands such as Green Island and Frankland Island. Once on the island it is possible to relax on the golden sands are venture further into the lush green island interior.
Staying on the Great Barrier Reef
For those wanting to immerse themselves in the Great Barrier Reef ecosystem, then a stay amongst the corals on a tropical island is a must. Many of the islands dotted throughout the reef are home to luxury and boutique island resorts that offer more than the usual hotel experience.
Fitzroy Island and Green Island offer transfers from Cairns and offer relaxed island stays with opportunities to explore forest walks and interact with the wildlife. In the Whitsundays, Hamilton Island is home to the luxury resorts of Beach Club and Qualia, whilst Hayman Island hosts the five-star Intercontinental Hotel.
Next Steps…
Whether you have a question about travelling to the Great Barrier Reef or would like to book one of our exclusive Great Barrier Reef holidays please get in touch.
Our Australia Specialists have first-hand knowledge of Queensland’s world renowned destinations within easy reach of Brisbane and Cairns and would be delighted to help you plan your next adventure.
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