How To Visit The Great Barrier Reef

Australia is blessed with an abundance of awe-inspiring natural wonders. Uluru and Kakadu, Sydney Harbour and the Blue Mountains, The Kimberley, and Kangaroo Island. However, perhaps its most precious of all, is the Great Barrier Reef.

With waters reflecting every shade of blue, and corals made up of every other colour, it is clear to see why the Great Barrier Reef features in most Australia holidays.

• Guide to the Great Barrier Reef
• Great Barrier Reef Cruises
• Dive the Great Barrier Reef
• Great Barrier Reef Scenic Flights
• Sail the Great Barrier Reef
• Islands of the Great Barrier Reef
• Great Barrier Reef Hotels
  
  

A Guide to the Great Barrier Reef

Why do so many people want to visit the Great Barrier Reef? What draws people from all around the world to see this natural marvel?

• It really is Great. The Great Barrier Reef stretches for nearly 1,500 miles along the eastern coast of Queensland. Reaching from beyond the northern tip of Cape York down to Bundaberg, just north of Brisbane, the Great Barrier Reef covers an overall area greater than 130,000 square miles.
  
  
• Why is it called a Barrier reef? Originally named by the explorer Matthew Flinders, in the early 1800s, the Great Barrier Reef protects the eastern coastline of Australia from storms and waves generated in the Pacific Ocean. In particular, the outer reefs absorb the energy of the waves reducing their impact on the rest of the coast. The reef has also been a barrier for big ships, which has had a knock-on effect of reducing the industrialization of Northern Queensland. Even today, the coast towns remain relatively small, and industry mostly focuses in farming and tourism.
  
  
• An amazing Reef. Actually, the Great Barrier Reef is made up of almost 3,000 individual reefs and more than 900 islands. It is a staggering feat of marine architecture that creates a vibrant ecosystem. The Great Barrier Reef is home to more than 1,500 different species of fish, including 130 species of shark, as well as six of the world’s endangered species of turtles. The coral itself is a living organism, but acts as an underwater wildlife haven.

Great Barrier Reef Cruise

There are many ways to enjoy the Great Barrier Reef, but a boat cruise to the outer reef is almost an essential part of any Queensland holiday. Day cruises operate from various harbours and marinas along the coast, with Cairns, Port Douglas and Airlie Beach offering the most departures.

Most Great Barrier Reef cruises last a full day. To sail to the outer reaches of the reef takes about two hours, after which you will have plenty of time to experience the reef first-hand, whether by snorkelling, diving or on a glass bottom boat tour.

Many Great Barrier Reef cruises dock alongside a floating pontoon to allow for more space and somewhere to store equipment, but this also allows for a spot of sunbathing and reef viewing for those not wishing to get wet.

Dive on the Great Barrier Reef

Surely there can be no better place to learn to dive than the Great Barrier Reef? And for experienced diver, not many other locations offering such a diversity of dive sites and marine life to discover.

A number of Great Barrier Reef diving tours are available from Cairns and other coastal towns. Beginner courses typically include equipment hire and interactive demonstrations before two or three guided dives from a cameraman, on such as Agincourt Reef. Those keen to advance their skills, can enrol on a 5 day PADI course, offered by numerous dive centres.

To dive on the Great Barrier Reef is truly an unforgettable experience; gliding through the clear waters surrounded by coral sculptures and multi coloured fish and tropical marine life.

Great Barrier Reef Scenic Flights

For a different perspective of the Great Barrier Reef, take to the skies! Only on a scenic flight, you can really comprehend the scale and beauty of the reef.

You can choose a sea-plane or light aircraft, however a Great Barrier Reef helicopter flight gives the ability to hover directly over islands or particular areas of the reef, which is great for those wishing to take photos. Most flights are up to an hour in duration, but special arrangements can be made if you would like to visit a certain part of the reef.

When flying from Cairns it is possible to view Green Island and Fitzroy Island, whilst at low tide the Vlasoff and Upolu sand cays become visible. Sightings of manta rays, turtles and other large marine life are not uncommon, whilst in certain winter months it is also possible to spot whales migrating along the coast.

Sail the Great Barrier Reef

For a more relaxed and intimate experience, how does a three night sailing trip to the islands and coral cays of the Whitsundays sound? With an experienced crew and modern catamaran yacht, it is possible to reach more remote areas of the Southern Reef, sleeping in a luxury cabin, waking up as the sun rises over the ocean.

Rigid timetables tend to be avoided, to allow plenty of time for sunbathing, snorkelling, kayaking and exploring deserted islands. Alternatively, you can just relax on deck and enjoy the delicious food and refreshing drinks prepared by the ever friendly crew.

Islands of the Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is not just made up of beautiful coral reefs and abundant marine wildlife, but also more than 900 tropical islands, fringed with palm trees and sandy beaches. Whilst it is not possible to visit all of the islands around the Great Barrier Reef, some are more accessible than others.

From Cairns, just over an hour’s cruise will bring you to Green Island. This tropical island is a good base for activities, such as swimming, snorkelling, walking and relaxing on the sandy beach. From the island’s purpose built jetty it is also possible to view the surrounding reef on a semi-submersible vehicle, perfect for families and those not comfortable in the water. For those wishing to have longer on the island it is possible to stay at the eco-friendly Green Island Resort.

Just 6 miles off the Queensland coast are the Frankland Islands. This archipelago of five separate islands (Normanby, High, Russell, Round and Mabel) are now part of a National Park, protecting the dense rainforest, mangroves, extensive fringing reefs and the wildlife that relies on them. A day tour to the Frankland Islands is possible to visit the National Park with boat cruises departing from the Mulgrave River, south of Cairns.

Reached by a regular passenger ferry from Townsville, Magnetic Island is a popular location for day trippers and those wishing to stay on the island. “Maggie” as she is known to North Queenslanders, offers lots of activities for visitors, including sailing tours, snorkelling, diving, jet ski and vehicle rental. There are lots of secluded bays and beaches to explore, but the island is perhaps most famous for its koala colony, with more than 600 thriving in the trees around the island.

The most southerly island in the Great Barrier Reef is Lady Elliott Island. Home to an eco-resort and a historic lighthouse, this small coral cay, is a sanctuary for manta rays, turtles and migrating humpback whales. Around 50 miles off the coast of Bundaberg, Lady Elliot Island is reached by a daily flight from either Brisbane or Hervey Bay.

The Whitsundays are a group of 74 scenic islands within the Great Barrier Reef. The largest of the islands is Hamilton Island, which has become one of Australia’s most desirable holiday destinations. Home to luxury resorts and even a 18-hole golf course, Hamilton Island also offers stunning beaches, top scuba diving spots and easy access to the Great Barrier Reef by boat and plane. In August this normally relaxed island becomes a hive of activity for “race week” that includes Australia’s largest sailing regatta, attracting yacht owners and sailors from around the world.

Great Barrier Reef Hotels

Perhaps the greatest way to enjoy the Great Barrier Reef is to stay amongst it. Whilst it is possible to stay in the mainland resort hotels of Cairns, Airlie Beach, and Port Douglas, and travel to and from the reef each day, there are plenty of hotel options that allow you to stay on the reef, and thus give you 24 hours access to the Great Barrier Reef.

One of the most luxurious hotels on the Great Barrier Reef is Qualia on Hamilton Island. Offering privacy, tranquillity and perfect sea views Qualia’s guests benefit from individual pavilions with private decks, some with their own plunge pool. Guests even receive a two-seater golf buggy, to explore the rest of Hamilton Island at a leisurely pace.

To the north of the Whitsunday Islands, and reached by boat transfer from Airlie Beach or Hamilton Island, is Hayman Island, home to the Intercontinental Hotel. The hills of the island provide challenging bushwalks through the Eucalypt forest and spectacular views across the turquoise sea. The 5-star hotel offers luxurious rooms overlooking the lagoon swimming pool and the ocean beyond. With five different restaurants, a choice of bars, a spa and plenty of activities available, you won’t be bored during a stay at the Intercontinental Hayman Island Resort.

A picture-perfect coral cay off the coast near Gladstone, Heron Island Resort is surrounded by reefs and seas filled with marine life. Effectively a private island for resort guests, the island has become a favourite destinations for scuba divers, with the surrounding waters home to manta rays and shipwrecks in equal measure. The comfortable resort offers guided nature walks through centre of the island to view the resident birdlife and other animals.

As well as being a National Park, Fitzroy Island is home to beautiful beach resort. Reached by ferry from Cairns, the Fitzroy Island Resort is a nature lovers paradise. Not only are the surrounding sheltered waters perfect for snorkelling on the reef and kayaking above it, but the island’s interior is perfect for bushwalking, bird watching and turtle spotting. In fact the island’s turtle rehabilitation centre welcomes guests to learn more about these stunning sea creatures.

The aptly named Daydream Island resort, is the closest Whitsunday resort to the mainland. Reached from Airlie beach by ferry in 30 minutes, the resort focuses on the marine world with a living coral aquarium in the heart of the hotel. Used for education purposes, the resident marine biologists offer daily activities like fish feeding that are perfect for families. The waters around the resort are perfect for snorkelling and there is even an underwater observatory for those that don’t want to get their feet wet.

Great Barrier Reef Holidays

The Great Barrier Reef is one of the natural wonders of the world. Its unique marine ecosystems are home to an abundance of life and its tropical islands provide golden sandy beaches and lush rainforest canopies.

Because of its natural beauty, and the variety of possible activities around it, the Great Barrier Reef has become a world-renown holiday destination and a must-visit location on many Australia travel itineraries. Whether you wish to relax in a luxurious resort, camp by the beach, or stay onboard a catamaran yacht, a Great Barrier Reef holiday is perfect for you.

If you have been inspired to travel to the Great Barrier Reef or would like to book one of Freedom Destinations’ exclusive Great Barrier Reef holidays, please contact one of our Australia Travel Experts to plan your next adventure.