As one of Australia’s premier natural attractions, the Great Barrier Reef attracts visitors from all over the world. The reef is truly an amazing sight, and with so many different tours available, can be enjoyed by visitors of all diving and swimming experience. Over 2600 kilometers long, the reef also has more than 1000 islands, so it can be difficult to know where to start planning your visit. Whether you are planning on just spending a day on the reef, or whether it is the focal point of your trip, the best place to start is the city of Cairns in northern Queensland.
Cairns is considered the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, and here you’ll find a multitude of tour companies offering a large variety of reef tours on all kinds of vessels. Most tours enjoy a three hour stop on the reef for diving and snorkeling, and a stop on Fitzroy or Green Island. Depending on the tour you decide upon, you might enjoy a relaxing day out on a boat or spend your time listening to marine biologists explain more about the reef habitat. There really is something for everyone.
Tours usually leave early in the morning and are gone all day. Consider leaving valuables and passports back at the hotel, and don’t forget to wear your swimsuit with light clothing over top. A towel, sunglasses, and shoes for walking on hot pavement will all make your trip more enjoyable. You’ll probably want to take lots of pictures, so an underwater camera and lots of film is a must. Most tour companies do provide some kind of lunch, usually buffet style.
Those who prefer to enjoy the area on their own terms might want to consider taking the ferry across to Green or Fitzroy Island where there are a handful of resort hotels offering snorkeling and diving packages.
Noosa is a diverse region located on Australia’s Sunshine Coast and is made up of a variety of coastal villages and country towns. With a variety of beaches, including Main Beach, the area is an excellent place to enjoy ocean swims and lazy days soaking up the sun. There are also some great places to learn to surf, as well as some more experienced surfing locations such as First Point, Granite Bay, and Sunshine Beach. Additionally, the area is known for its excellent fishing with a reef system located only three kilometers offshore.
Noosa National Park’s Headlands section is one of Australia’s most visited national parks, and here you’ll find an abundance of ecosystems in a small area. Home to many types of wildlife, visitors often see koala and goannas, and there are also excellent walking tracks with incredible views. The park is home to a vast network of trails, so horse-back riding and mountain biking are also popular. The peace and quiet of the river system north of Tewantin is a haven for those needing to get away from the hubbub of the city, and is best enjoyed by canoe or kayak. The Kinaba Information Centre is a unique spot that can only be reached by boat.
Fraser Island is also nearby, and is a great destination for ecotourism activities. The largest sand island in the world, Fraser Island is 123 kilometers long and covers 184,000 hectares. The island is home to very large numbers of birds, and also has what are considered the most genetically pure dingoes in Australia. The island is also home to a small population of brumbies, Australia’s wild horses, which can be seen on the north end. Barges ferry cars over to the island, so you can either book a guided tour or take your own vehicle. There is limited accommodation available on the island as well.
As the gateway to Australia’s Sunshine Coast and only an hour’s drive from Brisbane, this town is an excellent getaway for travelers. Families will love the close proximity to the Australian Zoo, home of the Crocodile Hunter, as well as the Big Kart Track, Australia’s largest go-kart track. Also a family favorite is Aussie World, a diverse theme park where you can ride the second largest ferris wheel in the Southern Hemisphere. The park is also home to the Ettamogah Pub, a recreation of the pub from the Ken Maynard cartoon series. Visitors are drawn to the pub’s caricature architectural style. Aussie World also boasts the Sunshine Coast’s largest collection of Aboriginal art and artifacts. Another excellent stop is the Queensland Air Museum, where guests can explore the history of aircraft back to World War II.
Caloundra is also an wonderful place to enjoy Australia’s beautiful great outdoors. Pumicestone Passage Marine Park is full of mangroves and sea grasses, and is home to more than 350 species of birds. Local tour guides offer boat cruises in the area, or you can kayak or even walk along the coastal beach trail. The Glass House Mountains are also nearby, and can be enjoyed by taking a scenic tourist drive. The Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve is a forty hectare area of protected land that is home to many different species of wildlife. Guided tours are available and it is also a popular picnic and barbecue spot.
Dining is an experience in Caloundra and there is cuisine to suit everyone’s taste. The Velvet Waters restaurant is similar to a Hard Rock Café, and also is home to the Walk of Stars, a tribute to Australian musicians. The walk extends to the top of the hill and includes commemorative plaques.
