As temptations go, it’s hard to look past Tropical North Queensland’s extraordinary Great Barrier Reef – dotted with tropical islands where the only sounds are the waves lapping the shore and pristine ocean bordered by boundless expanses of white-sand perfection.
Start your adventure at this amazing underwater universe and UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you could easily spend weeks, with its colourful coral gardens and abundant marine life, from tropical fish to turtles, rays, and even multiple species of whales.
There are also plenty of snorkelling and scuba diving excursions to choose from. Don your mask, look beneath the surface, and be mesmerised by the ocean world below. Snorkelling is an easy, safe, and fun way to explore the reef, moving at a slow and gentle pace so you have time to admire the intricate coral gardens or see some of the thousands of marine species going about their day.
Non-swimmers will love the glass-bottomed boats that provide a box office seat for gazing onto the reef, whilst more adrenaline-hunting thrill-seekers might want to try helmet diving – a way to explore the seafloor on foot.
For those who prefer staying above the water, set sail for a day or take a kayaking tour between Mission Beach and Dunk Island or Palm Cove and Double Island. For visual splendour personified, take to the skies in a helicopter for an unforgettable bird’s-eye view of the reef’s unmatched beauty.
To make the most of every minute of your stay, book into one of the area’s tranquil oceanside retreats. From family-friendly apartments in Trinity Beach, north of Cairns, to a back-to-nature experience sleeping under canvas, or one of Port Douglas’ fabled 5-star resorts, an unforgettable experience awaits all who seek the reef.
