Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef, off Australia’s east coast, is one of the wonders of the natural world. It is World Heritage listed and is one of Australia’s, and the world’s, premier holiday destinations. The combination of glorious weather (be aware that it rains a lot in the wet season! Jan-March), pristine rainforest, white sandy beaches, and an ocean varying in hue from blue to turquoise to green, makes the Great Barrier Reef the ideal destination to lie on the beach, swim, surf, snorkel, sail, fish, bushwalk and birdwatch. The area abounds with wildlife, including dugong and green turtles, varieties of dolphins and whales, more than 1500 species of fish, 4000 types of mollusc and more than 200 species of birdlife. The Great Barrier Reef system consists of more than 3000 reefs which range in size from 1 hectare to over 10,000 hectares in area. The reef is scattered with beautiful islands and idyllic coral cays and covers more than 300,000 square kilometres.
The waters of the Great Barrier Reef provide the world’s busiest and most varied marine habitats. Marine life is in abundance. From the many species of coral to the sought after Black Marlin and all sizes and species of fish in-between. The varied colours of the reef’s fish and other marine life will astound the visitor with colour combinations that artists haven’t even dreamed of. It is the largest of the world’s 552 World Heritage Areas, covering 347,000 km. Although stretching more than 2000 kilometres offshore from Queensland, it is only at Cape Tribulation, just north of Port Douglas that the reefs come right to the shore and meets the tropical rainforests of the Wet Tropics. With over 1000 islands which are easily accessible from North Queensland and coastal cities like Cairns and Port Douglas.
Accommodation
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Activities
Scenic Highlights
Diving at Heron Island
The first sight of Heron Island sends the spirits soaring, with a coral drop perched in an infinity of blue. Heron Island is a coral cay on the Great Barrier Reef and lies in the Tropic of Capricorn 70 kilometres north of Gladstone. Rated as one of the best diving locations on earth, the reef is practically at your doorstep. The island is also a sanctuary for thirty species of birds including 100,000 Black Noddy Terns and Reef Herons.
Boat Fishing
These waters provide some of the best fishing in the world, with Australian and international records continually established in the region. Fishing charters can be tailored to your interest, fish commonly caught range from Coral Trout to Trevally and Cod.
Heart Reef
Fly over Heart Reef for a bird’s eye view of this amazing icon.
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Activities
- Snorkel or dive among the Great Barrier Reef’s spectacular coral gardens and diverse marine life as you moor at this 3 level Great Barrier Reef outer reef
- Pontoon with a day full of activities.
- Sail to the Great Barrier Reef to a coral sand cay. Of special interest to wildlife & bird lovers.
- Great Barrier Reef tours that offer a semi-submersible or glass bottom boat to see the Great Barrier Reef
- Diving and snorkelling trips to the inner or outer Reefs.
- Take a leisurely paddle ski on crystal clear waters.
- Explore the surrounding waters by catamaran or motorised dinghy.
- Experience the wonder of watching Green and Loggerhead turtles laying their eggs or their baby hatchlings emerging from their nests (in season) at Wilson Island.
