IMAGE: TOURISM AUSTR A LIA
THE GREAT
BARRIER REEF
THE GREAT
BARRIER REEF
One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, “the world’s biggest
aquarium”, with its crystal blue waters teeming with colourful
marine life, is pure paradise from every angle.
IMAGE: TOURISM AUSTR A LIA
T
he Great Barrier Reef Marine Park is the
largest tropical reef ecosystem in the world.
We all know it’s big, but let’s break it down
into numbers. Extending 2300 kilometres, from
Bundaberg in the south to beyond Cape York in the
north, it spans more than 300,000 square kilometres,
making it larger than New Zealand. In fact, along
with the Great Wall of China, it is one of the few
landmarks visible from outer space.
Flying over the immense turquoise skeins of this
World Heritage-listed wonderland is the only way to
come to terms with its size. It could take a lifetime to
explore the reef ’s vast swathes and meet all its marine
life. Known for its extraordinary marine diversity, the
system is home to some 3000 individual reefs, 600
species of coral and an estimated 1625 species of fish.
LIZARD ISLAND
CAIRNS BEDARRA
ISLAND
TOWNSVILLE
WHITSUNDAY ISLAND
HAMILTON ISLAND
LADY ELLIOT ISLAND
BUNDABERG
GREAT BARRIER REEF
The easiest way to marvel at the vivid coral gardens
is through a glass-bottomed boat. For a close-up
view, try snorkelling, scuba diving or kayaking
around a coral cay, wading offshore among emerald
parrot fish; watching clownfish snuggle in anemones
or joining manta rays winging through the deep.
You can charter a plane or yacht, take a cruise,
go bareboating, set off on a wilderness island
trail – or simply kick back at an island resort,
cocktail in hand.
Speaking of islands, did we mention there are
more than 100 to choose from? Take your pick from
Green and Fitzroy near Cairns, and Hinchinbrook
and Orpheus islands further south. Then there’s
Magnetic, Hamilton or Hayman... With so many
options, it really is the ultimate place to escape.
MEET MINKE WHALES
IM AGE: TOURISM A ND E V ENTS QUEENSL A ND
Researchers have compared the haunting calls of the dwarf minke whale to the signature chord from
Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony. You can hear this extraordinary sound on a four-day expedition to meet
the minkes, led by marine scientists. These fascinating encounters take place during June and July,
when pods of minkes congregate on the outer ribbon reefs. The whales are astonishingly curious,
gliding and cavorting around snorkellers, hovering at shallow depths and eyeing swimmers intently
for hours on end. Unforgettable. Marine Encounters: marineencounters.com.au; 07 4098 5417.
IMAGE: TOURISM AUSTR A LIA
HERON WILDLIFE
DISCOVERIES
Sit in the sand under a canopy
of stars and watch as huge
turtles lumber up the beach
on Heron Island. If they are
undisturbed, these ancient
animals will laboriously dig
holes to lay eggs. It’s just one
of the wildlife experiences
your family can enjoy together
on Heron, which is accessible
by boat from Gladstone.
The island is a Jurassic park
of creatures – ray and reef
sharks gather in the shallows,
mutton birds wail like ghosts
from their burrows and, in
early summer, the trees are
filled with nests containing
black noddy tern chicks.
During school holidays, kids
can sign up to the educational
Junior Rangers program to
take part in exciting activities
like reef walks. Heron Island
Resort: heronisland.com;
03 9426 7550.
IMAGE: TOURISM AUSTR A LIA
LOVERS’ ESCAPADE
It’s a Valentine’s gift you’ll
never forget, or a superstylish way to elope...
Flying over the Whitsundays
in a seaplane, swooping
down to photograph the
iconic Heart Reef. This
perfectly heart-shaped
wonder is one of Mother
Nature’s most romantic
creations, inspiring more
marriage proposals than the
Eiffel Tower. The plane can
then zip you, your beloved,
a celebrant and a bottle
of top-shelf bubbly over
to the powdery sands of
world-famous Whitehaven
Beach to say, “I do”. Or take
a Panorama tour, enjoying
a flight over the Whitsunday
islands, with a stopover at
Whitehaven Beach and a
glass-bottomed boat tour.
Air Whitsundays:
airwhitsunday.com.au;
07 4946 9111.
I M A G E : TO U R I S M A N D E V E N T S Q U E E N S L A N D
INTO THE BLUE
Scuba divers get misty-eyed
over the Reef and its
marvellous marine life.
If you want to dive or
snorkel, join a live-aboard
vessel along the outer reef
or take a day trip on a boat,
catamaran or seaplane. The
ribbon reefs off Port Douglas
are a favourite, while diving
the wreck of the SS Yongala
by Townsville is bucket-list
material. An adventurous
option is the “sex on the
reef ” dive, timed to coincide
with the annual mass coral
spawning, which usually
occurs around November.
The dive takes place at night
– if you’re lucky, you will
witness the drama of corals
spawning simultaneously,
allowing you to swim
through a salmon-pink,
underwater snowstorm.
Pro Dive Cairns:
prodive-cairns.com.au;
07 4031 5255.
HOLIDAY IN STAR STYLE
I M A G E : L U X U R Y LO D G E S O F A U S T R A L I A
Qualia, on Hamilton Island, is one of those exclusive stays favoured by supermodels and TV stars – a haven of opulence and
style. You could be tempted to hang out in your pavilion most of your stay, plunging into your private pool and gazing at the
180-degree view over the Whitsundays, but you won’t want to miss the resort’s daily activities, which are a notch or two above
the norm. Take a luxury cruiser out to the reef or hop on a helicopter and fly to nearby Dent Island for a round of golf. The
annual Hamilton Island Race Week brings salted yachties and the glitterati to Qualia, and gourmands relish the Great Barrier
Feast weekend – a chance to sample fare from the world’s greatest chefs. Qualia: qualia.com.au; 07 4948 9222.
FLAT OUT ON LIZARD ISLAND
I M A G E : D E L AWA R E N O R T H C O M PA N I E S
Imagine digging your toes into the sand on a deserted beach, while dining on a bespoke, seven-course degustation meal; the
night sky lit by stars and flaming torches. This is just one of the gourmet experiences on offer at Lizard Island. The granitecapped isle, named after the resident goannas, is the ultimate luxury escape on the outer Great Barrier Reef. If you’re more
of a morning person, the resort will prepare a private picnic basket filled with gourmet and fresh food and deliver it (and
you) by dinghy to one of the island’s 24 deserted beaches. Bliss! Lizard Island Resort: lizardisland.com.au; 03 9426 7550.
I M A G E : L A DY E L L I O T I S L A N D E C O R E S O R T
BE A REEF SCIENTIST
Unpretentious is how Lady
Elliot Island Eco Resort likes to
describe itself, but that might
be a tad humble. This 41-room
resort sets a fine example of
how to lessen your impact on
the environment, and is the
first Great Barrier Reef
tourism operator that allows
guests to become “citizen
scientists” by taking part
in research into the reef
and the island’s manta rays.
Lady Elliot is the closest Great
Barrier Reef island to Brisbane
and just 42 hectares in size –
so small you can stroll around
it in less than 45 minutes,
snorkelling, swimming, reef
walking or even watching
turtles hatch. Later, you can
upload your photos and
observations, which in turn,
help to monitor the state of the
reef. Lady Elliot Island Eco
Resort: ladyelliot.com.au;
07 5536 3644.
IM AGE: TOURISM A ND E V ENTS QUEENSL A ND
EXPLORE THE UNDERWATER WONDERLAND
The mind-boggling awesomeness of the Great Barrier Reef doesn’t mean dive operators can rest on their laurels, and
Cairns-based Tusa Dive is an example of those that take things to the next level. Locally owned for over 25 years, Tusa
takes no more than 60 people at time out on their modern reef vessel, the T6, ensuring personal attention from their
super-knowledgeable and friendly staff (Tripadvisor reviewers rave about how they even put your fins on for you!).
With 16 outer reef sites to choose from – you’ll visit two on your day trip – you’ll be blissfully exploring the reef with
nary a worry in the world, except for which fish to follow. Tusa Dive: tusadive.com; 07 4047 9100.
IM AGE: TOURISM A ND E V ENTS QUEENSL A ND
CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE
Just 15 nautical miles off the coast of Cairns, Green Island is a beautiful little coral cay that packs a big punch of paradise.
Jump on one of Big Cat’s Green Island Cruises for a half or full-day and ‘choose your own tropical adventure’; from
snorkelling, scuba diving, a semi-submarine or glass-bottom boat tour, or helmet diving (perfect for non-swimmers!) where
you walk along the sandy ocean floor like a spaceman, observing all the action going on around you (your hair won’t even
get wet!). If you start getting a little ‘pruny’, there’s plenty to do on land. Explore the national park’s untouched rainforest,
or simply soak up the sun on the sandy beaches. Big Cat Green Island Cruises: greenisland.com.au; 07 4051 0444.
TAKE A TROPICAL JOURNEY
IMAGE: TROPICAL JOURNE YS
Pop quiz: where is the only place in the world that two World Heritage Sites meet? Yep, it’s right here in sunny tropical north
Queensland, where the Daintree fringes the Great Barrier Reef. Tropical Journeys can tempt you not only with Calypso Reef
Charters’ snorkelling and diving tours around the gorgeous surrounds of both the Opal Reef and Agincourt Reef; but also
the chance to double up on the sightseeing by hitting the rainforest with Daintree Tours. Then there’s the Aquarius sailing
experience, gliding glamorously across the Coral Sea to Low Isles on board their sleek 62-foot vessel. Why not try all three
(you’ll get a $10 discount per person, per tour if you do!) Tropical Journeys: calypsoreefcruises.com; 07 4099 6999.
I M A G E : C R U I S E W H I T S U N D AY S
SLEEP ON THE REEF
Cruise Whitsundays offer plenty of day cruises to crazy-beautiful locations among the Whitsundays. But they also offer
something that very few people can lay claim to having done: sleeping under the stars on the Great Barrier Reef. Book a
Reefsleep experience, and you’ll hop on board a luxury vessel with other day-trippers to the beautiful Hardy Reef and spend
the day exploring. But when the others head home and the sun starts to dip into the sea, you’ll stay put. You might indulge in
a spot of night scuba diving, or perhaps a massage before dinner. Then you’ll slip into your swag, gaze up at the diamond-lit
sky, and marvel at how you got so damn lucky. Cruise Whitsundays: cruisewhitsundays.com; 07 4946 4662.
I M A G E : TO U R I S M A N D E V E N T S Q U E E N S L A N D
SPEND MORE TIME ON THE REEF
Immerse yourself in a five-day, four-night Ribbon Reef Explorer itinerary that promises to unveil some of
the most incredible parts of the reef. Explore the remote Ribbon Reefs on both day and night dives, visiting
famous gems like Cod’s Hole – home to a friendly family of large Potato Cod – and Steve’s Bommie, a
spectacular site teeming with hypercolour coral and fish. You can also opt for a night-time ‘fluoro dive’ using
UV lights. The rhythm of life on the reef will have you disembarking with the enigmatic smile of someone
who’s just had a life-changing experience. Deep Sea Divers Den: diversden.com.au; 07 4046 7333.
IM AGE: TOURISM A ND E V ENTS QUEENSL A ND
SNORKEL AND SLEEP ON GREEN ISLAND
Once you see the impossibly stunning coral cay of Green Island, you won’t want to leave in a hurry, and the good
news is you don’t have to with the Great Adventures ‘Reef and Resort’ package. The package includes return fast
catamaran transfers to Green Island from Cairns; two nights in a Green Island Resort ‘island suite’; breakfast; and
other great guest inclusions like sunset drinks and guided night nature walks. That’s all on top of your Great Barrier
Reef Adventure, which includes three hours at their outer reef activity platform, snorkelling, a guided reef eco-tour
in the underwater observatory, and more. Great Adventures: greatadventures.com.au; 07 4044 9944.
PLAY GOLF IN PARADISE
IMAGE: GARY LISBON
How do you improve upon a holiday where staggering natural beauty, stunning tropical islands, and moments of supreme
relaxation are all par for the course? Why, you add another course, of course – a golf course! Hamilton Island Golf Club
(actually situated on nearby Dent Island), designed by champion golfer Peter Thomson, is Australia’s only island-based
championship golf club. The mind-blowingly beautiful course is designed to challenge both beginners and pros.
An additional challenge? Keeping your eye on the ball when you’re surrounded by Whitsundays vistas at every turn.
The clubhouse design also maximises the views, with a pro shop, lessons, rental service and everything else you need
for a day golfing in paradise. Hamilton Island Golf Club: greatgolfaustralia.com.au; 07 4948 9760.
IM AGE: TOURISM A ND E V ENTS QUEENSL A ND
SAIL TO THE LOWE ISLES
Sailaway is a Lagoon 500 catamaran, which sailed from its birthplace in Bordeaux all the way to Port
Douglas for your luxurious, windswept pleasure. Catering to high-energy adventurers and those after a
more relaxed experience, the vessel offers both full day and afternoon sail and snorkel cruises to the
gorgeous coral cay of Low Isles; as well as shorter sunset trips for those content to soak up the views with
a glass of champagne (to get the best of both, opt for the afternoon trip, which includes the sunset sail on
the way home). Sailaway also takes part in a number of initiatives to protect and monitor the reef. Luxury
with a conscience? We’re sold. Sailaway Port Douglas: sailawayportdouglas.com; 07 4099 4200.
IMAGE: MIKE BALL
EXPLORE THE
BEST OF THE REEF
Mike Ball has been running
dives on the Great Barrier Reef
since 1969, pioneering the
latest and greatest ways to see
the best this incredible reef
has to offer. From the custombuilt liveaboard vessel
designed to maximise stability
(Mike himself gets seasick!);
to complimentary underwater
photography workshops and
the fact that dives take place at
least 100km away from Cairns
to ensure the best possible
conditions, this operation does
everything possible to make
sure you’re happy. Less
experienced? You’ll get site
orientations to help you out.
Expert diver? You get the
freedom to plan your own
dives. There’s range of sites
and trip lengths, plus special
exploratory expeditions to
remote reefs and wrecks, too.
Mike Ball Expeditions:
mikeball.com; 07 4053 0500.
IMAGE: CAIRNS PREMIER REEF A ND ISL A ND TOURS
SOAK UP THE FREEDOM
OF THE OCEAN
With Cairns Premier Reef
and Island Tours, you have
a difficult decision to make.
Do you opt for the Ocean Free
dive and snorkel vessel, where
the engines are switched off on
your way home as you enjoy
your complimentary glass of
wine after a blissful day spent
snorkelling or diving amongst
the coral garden of Green
Island? Or do you choose the
Ocean Freedom, a stylish
motorboat that’ll take you
to Upolu cay and reef, where
you’ll have six hours for
snorkelling, diving, a drift
snorkel tour, glass bottom boat
tour and seafood lunch? The
choice – and it’s a tough one –
is yours. Cairns Premier
Reef and Island Tours:
cairnspremierreefisland
tours.com; 07 4052 1111.
I M A G E : O C E A N S A FA R I
SEE RAINFOREST AND REEF
Take a half day eco tour setting out from beautiful
Cape Tribulation, exploring two snorkel sites
around the Mackay and Undine reefs and
admiring the spectacular Daintree rainforest
from the boat along the way. With a maximum 25
passengers on board the rigid inflatable boat that
gets you to your destination in around half an
hour, your skipper and eco-host (a marine
biologist) will fill you in on the unique sea life
and environment found in this patch of tropical
paradise – ensuring the day is not only about
adventure, but appreciation as well. Ocean
Safari: oceansafari.com.au; 07 4098 0006.
I M A G E : PA S S I O N S O F PA R A D I S E
DISCOVER PARADISE
Cairns-based Passions of
Paradise have a secret – the
beautiful Paradise Reef, which
is their exclusive mooring (and
therefore yours!) to explore.
Here, blissfully free of crowds,
you’ll explore the hard coral
and ribbon of small reefs,
teeming with life. The
25-metre, high-performance
catamaran also tours the
renowned Michaelmas Cay;
where you can spot sea turtles,
giant trevally, small black reef
tip sharks and countless
colourful tropical fish.
Michaelmas Cay is also a bird
sanctuary, with gorgeous sandy
beaches for you to snorkel off
directly. With snorkelling,
introductory and certified
diving all on offer, you’d be
mad to miss it. Passions of
Paradise: passions.com.au;
07 4041 1600.
EXPLORE THE STUNNING OUTER REEF
IMAGE: OAK BE ACH PRODUCTIONS
Poseidon will whip you out on their modern, high-speed catamaran to the aquamarine paradise of the Agincourt
Ribbon Reefs nice and quickly, so you can make the most of the incredible day that awaits you. Divers can enjoy
drift dives, wall dives and isolated pinnacles (depending on the sites you visit on the day) while snorkellers will
be gobsmacked by the hypercolour coral and fish life teeming around the shallow lagoons and drop-offs in the
area. With up to 12 crew guiding your small group, a ‘reef interpretation talk’ and guided snorkel tour on the
third site, you’ll be hard-pressed to fault this big day out. Poseidon: poseidon-cruises.com.au; 07 4099 4772.
IM AGE: TOURISM A ND E V ENTS QUEENSL A ND
SPEND A DAY ON THE REEF
Port Douglas operator Quicksilver Cruises has a few aces up their
(wetsuit) sleeves to ensure everyone – from non-swimmers and
first-time snorkellers to experienced divers – has a spectacular
day on the reef. Sleek and stable ‘wavepiercing’ catamarans to
whiz you across the Coral Sea to their spacious viewing platform
at Agincourt Ribbon Reef, on the outer Great Barrier Reef; an
underwater observatory for those happy to stay dry; introductory
dive and snorkelling pools; wheelchair access; underwater
cameras for hire; an on-board team of marine biologists – they’ve
even got the reef ’s only post-box (complete with world’s only
Great Barrier Reef stamp!). Truly something for everyone.
Quicksilver Cruises: quicksilver-cruises.com; 07 4087 2100.
IM AGE: TOURISM A ND E V ENTS QUEENSL A ND
REPORT TO REEF HQ
Perfect for wet-weather days, little ones, and anyone wishing to
explore the Great Barrier Reef while remaining comfortably dry,
Townsville’s Reef HQ Aquarium brings the incredible reef ecosystem
to life through a range of fascinating exhibits and tours. Visit the
turtle hospital; check out the Olympic pool-sized coral reef exhibit,
open to the weather to mimic the natural environmental conditions
of natural reefs; and watch the reef ’s predators, including black tip
reef sharks, from behind the safety of the underwater viewing
tunnel. Daily feeding sessions and ‘creature feature’ workshops add
up to family fun all-round. Reef HQ: reefhq.com.au; 07 4750 0800.
IM AGE: TOURISM A ND E V ENTS QUEENSL A ND
SWIM WITH NEMO
Snorkelling-only tour operator Wavelength has recently welcomed new owners, marine biologists Jenny and John
Edmonson. With tour numbers capped at 30 and three different sites per day to explore (they have 12 moorings, many
of them exclusive, to choose from) you can relax and enjoy the personalised nature of this tour, safe in the knowledge
you’re in expert hands. Highlights of your day’s snorkelling might include spotting the famous clown anemonefish (aka
‘Nemo’) at Ray Ban on beautiful Opal Reef; or the once in-a-lifetime experience of swimming underwater with the
friendly local green sea turtles at Turtle Bay, on Tongue Reef. Wavelength: wavelength.com.au; 07 4099 5031.
IMAGE: WINGS DIVING ADVENTURES
DIVE, SNORKEL AND SAIL
THE WHITSUNDAY ISLANDS
Wings offer two and three-night
diving and sailing trips that’ll have
you desperately wanting to stay on
board come home-time: think
dolphin-spotting from the deck; hot
showers; evening BBQs and falling
asleep to the sound of water lapping
the hull. Both the ‘Wings’ and
‘Emperor’s Wings’ tours tour the
Whitsunday Islands, including
Whitehaven beach, and are suitable
for everyone from experienced
divers to first-time snorkellers even those just looking to enjoy the
experience of sailing around one the
most beautiful spots in the world.
The ‘Emperor’s Wings’ tour adds an
extra day and night and takes you to
the outer reef, which is a whole
different world to the island diving.
Wings Diving Adventures:
wingsdiving.com; 1300 859 853.
IMAGE: FRED K AMPHUES
DIVE WRECK OR REEF
Townsville-based Adrenalin Snorkel and Dive promise to ‘whet’ (geddit?) your appetite for underwater adventure
with a choice to two fantastic day-trip dive locations: Lodestone Reef, with depths of between 1-20 metres populated by
colourful characters such as parrot fish, Maori wrasse, clown fish, stingrays and reef sharks; and the world-famous SS
Yongala wreck, which has been gathering spectacular marine life since it sank in 1911. You can also choose to do a guided
dive, to really get to grips with your environment. Adrenalin offers three day/three night liveaboard tours, so you can
also enjoy those stunning sunrises and sunsets. Adrenalin Snorkel & Dive: adrenalindive.com.au; 07 4724 0600.
I M A G E : C H A R T E R YA C H T S A U S T R A L I A
CHARTER YOUR
OWN LUXURY YACHT
It really is a once-in-a-lifetime
experience: taking to the
heavenly waters of the
Whitsundays on your very own
yacht for freedom, adventure
and total escape. Charter Yachts
Australia have a drool-worthy
fleet of yachts, sailing and
powered catamarans, all ready
to tempt you into a life of
luxury – if only for a few
unforgettable days. You can
choose to take the helm yourself
(you’ll get a four-hour briefing
before setting sail), or really
embrace the whole relaxation
vibe by hiring a sailguide
(skipper) as part of your
package. Hint: you may want
to refrain from posting any
pictures on social media if you
still want your friends to talk
to you when you get home.
Charter Yachts Australia:
charteryachtsaustralia.com.au;
07 4946 6666.
DIVE THE WORLD-FAMOUS SS YONGALA
I M A G E : YO N G A L A D I V E
Based in Alva Beach, Yongala Dive specialise in
day-trips to the diver’s dream site of the SS Yongala
wreck. In around 30 minutes, the rigid inflatable will
have you on-site and ready to hit the water to explore
the incredible marine life that’s made the wreck its
home – and tempted diving enthusiasts – since it
sank over a century ago. Queenfish, barracuda, eagle
rays and sea snakes are just a few of the locals you’re
likely to encounter. Yongala Dive also operate a
‘Diver’s Lodge’, a renovated Queenslander great
for staying before or after your dive, and the Beach
Café, where you can grab breakfast and dinner.
Yongala Dive: yongaladive.com.au; 07 4783 1519.