5 Ways to See The Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World which people come all over the globe to visit. Luckily it is in your backyard and a perfect holiday destination for the whole family. There are so many ways to enjoy this iconic wonder either on water, in flight or on land.

Skydive in Cairns

If you want to see the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef and satisfy your inner adrenaline junkie then a Tandem Skydive is a perfect combination.

This 11,000ft distance will be the jump of your life and unforgettable. You see a full birds eye view of this natural gem and all its glory during the 40 second free fall. The spectacular view spans around 14km capturing the surrounding World Heritage Rainforest.

Accompanied by a professional instructor you will be in the safest hands to ensure everything is secure and sound. Prior to take off you will undertake training on all the basic rules and intrusions to ensure you understand the process and no experience is necessary. 

Skydive in Cairns over the spectacular Great Barrier Reef

Catamaran Cruise

For a more adventurous but tranquil experience of the Great Barrier Reef take a cruise with Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruises.

This day trip takes you to the idyllic and crystal clear waters of Green Island which is the only coral cay on the Great Barrier Reef with a rainforest growing on it!

You can discover the coral and fish life, unwind on the pure sandy white beaches and explore the walking tracks leading through the National Park.

There are plenty of activities to enjoy on water such as scuba diving, helmet diving, boat snorkel tours, or hire canoes and beach lounge chairs. If you prefer, there is always the option of staying on the air-conditioned catamaran and breath the fresh air and enjoy the gorgeous scenery. 

Catamaran Cruise with Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruises

High above in a Helicopter

For the best seat in the house to see the Great Barrier Reef  a helicopter ride is definitely is in order.

Departing daily, this is the best relaxing way to see Cairns and truly appreciate all the scenery. It covers the famous sites of Green Island, the jewel of the reef, the vastness of Arlington Reef and the delightful Vlasoff and Upolu Sand Cays. Whilst up in the air spot the local marine life and pick the perfect place to land for an unforgettable lunch.

This is the perfect opportunity for the photo enthusiast to capture magical snapshots.

Helicopter Ride above the Great Barrier Reef

Scuba Diving

For the ultimate Cairns experience a scuba dive with Calypso Reef Charters is the answer.

This tour takes you on a private charter around the sites of the Outer Great Barrier Reef. You can explore and get an up close view of the marine life and the magnificent coral reefs.

You have the opportunity to learn how to scuba dive with a professional PADI Dive Instructor who will explain all the safety and skills required for this memorable dive. There are multiple levels to accommodate for children and beginners, and depths to discover. For the more advanced there are shipwrecks where it is a highly likely to spot turtles, gropers, sea snakes, giant turtles, lionfish and barracuda.

The enthusiastic helpful staff with educate you with fun and history facts about the Reef and its evolution over the years. On board is a tropical lunch buffet for you to enjoy.

Scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef

Kayak like a King

If you have ever dreamt of swimming and getting close with the marine life then what better than on a kayak.

Travel at your own pace around the Great Barrier Reef and Fitzroy Island and take your time to appreciate the panoramic natural wonders. You can discover the marine wildlife and private beaches.

Once complete you can explore on land the rainforest walks, continue snorkelling the fringing coral reefs, have a jump on the ocean trampoline or just relax. A catamaran transports you to and from location for you to circumnavigate the preeminent pristine waters.

A tropical picnic lunch is catered for so you can enjoy more time exploring. 

Kayaking, Tropical North Queensland

Tangalooma Island Resort - Moreton Bay

Australia has many outstanding and treasured islands, but non as well-kept and interesting as Moreton Island. 
What makes Moreton Island so special is that it has one of the least polluted and least disturbed coastal environments along the Queensland-New South Wales coastline, and is the third largest sand island in the world with a list of very unique and protected wildlife. 

Aerial View of Tangalooma Island Resort

If you are looking for the perfect stay to experience this natural dime, then Tangalooma Island Resort is where to take yourself. Tangalooma Island Resort is located on Moreton Island, approximately 40 kilometres off the coast from Brisbane, Queensland. 

The resort nestles on Moreton Bay Marine Park, which was established in 1993 to protect the ecologically significant habitats of Moreton Bay. Moreton Bay Marine Park is the only place in the world where significant populations of dugongs and turtles can still be found close to a major metropolitan centre. 

Tangalooma Island Resort has over 80 tours and activities, the most popular being its whale watching cruises, where you are 100% guaranteed to see a whale or you get your money back! Encounter the majestic humpback whales and their playful calves as they breach and play in the winter waters of the bay between June and October. 

Whale watching

Tangalooma also has Dolphin viewing and feeding tours, where you can get up close and personal and feed the wild bottlenose dolphin’s that come ashore to Tangalooma each evening at sunset.

If Tangalooma’s abundant wildlife can’t keep you busy enough, then the resort has many other activities on offer such as beach volleyball, ATV quad bike touring, catamaran hire, kayak hire, guided snorkelling tours of the Tangalooma wrecks, parasailing, desert safari tour, sand boarding on the desert, helicopter joy flights, archery, banana boating, beach cricket, putt putt golf, segways and plenty more.  

Sand tobogganing

Bound by perfect waters and untouched national parks, Tangalooma Island Resort is the perfect destination for your next escape.

Right now you can experience Tangalooma Island Resort for the hot price of $399 per person twin share. The package includes 2 nights in a Hotel Room, buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, return launch transfers and dolphin feeding on one night of the stay. Valid for sale and travel until 21 September 2012. To book click here or call 13 88 33.

Hayman: The Whitsundays & Great Barrier Reef

Hayman is a world class island resort offering luxury 5 star accommodation, a range of free activities, wellness-orientated spa treatments and unique culinary experiences. 

Hayman

An extensive restoration in 2010 has seen the development of Beach Villas, each with their own private plunge pool. Relax on your balcony on a day bed overlooking the Coral Ocean while enjoying the exclusive Beach Butler service. 

Beach Villa, Hayman

All other rooms still provide wonderful views from their balconies and the lovely Pool Access rooms give you effortless access to the Hayman Pool from your private balcony.

Pool Access Room, Hayman

The dining options on Hayman extend from the beach views and contemporary buffet breakfast at Azure restaurant to the casual bar menu at Beach Pavilion, the Italian and Mediterranean style La Trattoria to the Asian specialist Oriental and Australia’s signature resort restaurant Fontaine.  

Azure Restaurant, Hayman 

Dining options continue with Hayman’s signature experience – The Chefs Table. This is a weekly event hosted by the island’s top chefs, where guests participate in the gourmet experience backstage, learning the food pairing concepts and conversing with over guests over carefully selected wines. Finally don’t miss the chocolate room and kitchen tour – a behind the scenes experience to Hayman’s popular Chocolate Room.

Oriental

Activities on the island cover romantic desert island escapes to family activities including the Hayman Kids Club ranger program. To enjoy the surrounding Great Barrier Reef book a cruise or scenic plane flight to the outer reef where you can enjoy some of the world’s best snorkelling and diving.

Hayman Pool

Hayman Spa offers guest more than pampering, it has an extensive menu of wellness-oriented treatments to compliment the traditional favourites. Each treatment is programmed to indulge the senses, restore and rejuvenate. Couple treatment rooms are available plus a vichy shower, sauna, steam rooms and the popular ocean massage. 

Ocean Massage, Hayman

For this signature experience a floating massage table is taken out to waist depth water for a floating massage in calm water surrounded by tropical fish. 

Cairns & the Great Barrier Reef

Cairns is situated in Tropical North Queensland. This modern city is famous for being the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, making it the perfect base to explore Australia's natural, wildlife and cultural attractions.

Great Adventures – Great Barrier Reef and Green Island Cruise

The World Heritage Listed Great Barrier Reef is as diverse as it is beautiful and should be on your 'must see' list. There are many day tours available from Cairns such as the Great Barrier Reef and Green Island Cruise with Great Adventures. 

Book an optional Helmet Dive

On this day tour the morning starts with a pick up from your Cairns accommodation in the morning with transfers to the marina where you will board your vessel. Enjoy 2 hours on Green Island to take in coral off the beach, underwater observatory or visit the crocodile farm. Then re-board the vessel to travel out to the Great Barrier Reef pontoon to enjoy 3 hours of swimming, snorkelling and a seafood buffet lunch. The day ends with return coach transfer back to your hotel.  

   

Snorkelling at Green Island, Great Barrier Reef

In Cairns there is so much to see and do so its worth while to stay at least 3 nights to  explore its beautiful sights and visit the many attractions. There is a range of accommodation from 3 star backpackers and motels, city hotels, apartments and luxury resorts in the near by beach side suburbs of Trinity Beach and Palm Cove. If you prefer to be in the heart of town, walking distance to the city's attractions then consider Shangri-La hotel, situated right on the marina or stay at Mantra Esplanade located in the restaurant precinct. 

Top 10 things to do in the Whitsundays

10. Try a new watersport or learn to dive.

Jet skiing in the Whitsundays

9. Enjoy a cocktail against a perfect island sunset backdrop.

Cocktails in the Whitsundays

 7. Rejuvenate at an island Day Spa.

Hayman

 7. Enjoy a picnic lunch on a secluded beach.

Whitsunday Island

 6. Snorkel fringing reef straight off the beach of a Whitsunday island.

Snorkelling off Whitsunday Islands

5. Follow walking tracks through cool forests and national parks located on the Airlie Beach coastline and Whitsunday national park islands.

Hiking the Whitsundays

4. Sail or cruise around the 74 Whitunday islands.

Sailing in the Whitsundays

 3. Swim, snorkel or dive the Great Barrier Reef.

Great Barrier Reef

2. Take a day trip to the pristine Whitehaven Beach - where the sand is so pure you can clean your jewellery on it. 

Whitehaven Beach

1. See Heart Reef from the air on a scenic flight over the Whitsundays. 

Heart Reef

To book your holiday to the Whitsundays, click here.

A Taste of Townsville

The capital of Tropical North Queensland, Townsville has 300 days of sunshine a year, making it the perfect destination to visit all year round. There is plenty to see and do in the city between the North Queensland Cowboys NRL games;  food, fashion and music festivals; the Townsville horse races; day trips to Magnetic Island, snorkelling and scuba diving tours including to the SS Yongala wreck, exploring the rainforests and waterfalls of the hinterland and relaxing along The Strand.

Sports

Townsville is a proud supporter of the NQ Cowboys and play in front of enthusiastic home crowd at least once each month until August. Townsville encourages the younger generation to get excited about sports too with the Sanitarium Weet-bix kids TRYathalon which will be held at Townsville’s Riverway on the 20th of May. June and July are the months for cars with the outback car tour, Motoco RV Dam Fine Rally and V8 supercars. July brings the races to town – the local ladies get their fascinators, dresses and shoes organised for the Townsville Ladies Day Races on the 14^th and the if one day isn’t enough the Townsville cup is on the 21^st.

Festivals

Groovin’ the Moo Music Festival is Australia’s only touring regional event, featuring Public Enemy, 360, crowd favourite Bluejuice, Kaiser Chiefs and Australia’s premier hip hop group Hilltop Hoods. Be sure to discover the upcoming Australian acts including Matt Corby and Perth’s San Cisco. Townsville is also home to the Townsville Fashion Festival, Townsville Food and Wine Festival, Full Noise Festival and the Xstrata Greek Fest.

Magnetic Island

Known affectionately as Maggie by the locals, it is a suburb of Townsville with around 3000 people, many whom commute each day from Magnetic Island on the regular ferry service. The journey with Sunferries only takes 25 minutes; where as Fantasea’s vessel takes both cars and passengers on a 40-45 minute trip. There is lots to do at Magnetic Island, visit the numerous swimming beaches, waterfalls and lakes; cafes, restaurants and pubs; book an adventure tour, scenic flight, enjoy golf and water sports including sailing and snorkelling, fishing and snorkelling, diving, jet skiing, Kayak tours, yachting and reef cruises.

Snorkelling and Diving

There are numerous snorkelling and diving opportunities from Townsville and Magnetic Island. Yongala wreck is a must do dive site which offers divers an incredible experience to view bull rays, eagle rays, sea snakes, turtles, sharks and numerous schools of colourful fish that patrol the wreck. If you don’t like swimming, snorkelling or diving don’t be disheartened; Townsville is home to the largest living coral reef aquarium, Reef HQ. The Reef HQ has many different exhibits including an interactive island where you can discover, explore, touch and play.

Snorkelling in Townsville

Hinterland

Alligator Creek falls, Crystal Creek and Paluma range are all in close proximity to Townsville CBD, and provide a perfect day trip location with picnic areas, swimming and hiking options. Only six kilometres north of Townsville’s city centre is the Townsville Town Common Conservation Park, a bird lover’s paradise. Home to as many as 280 bird species, this is the perfect place to visit the six observation points and take the walking track for views over the park and the coastline.

Townsville Hinterland

Restaurants

There are many different restaurant areas featuring delicious meals of seafood, steaks and international cuisine. Walk along Palmer Street to take in the myriad of cafes and restaurants where beautiful scenery compliments delicious meals. Flinders Street offers bars and restaurants in close proximity to the city’s nightlife.

Dining in Townsville

The Marina

Home to Jupiters Townsville Hotel and Casino, this is the gateway to Magnetic Island. Offering incredible views out to the bay and islands, the area is home to restaurants, bars and entertainment. The casino puts on regular musical performance such as The Country Rock Superhits Show and special touring shows like Manpower. For those wanting to place a bet, the house offers Texas Hold’em Poker, Roulette and Blackjack. 

Breakwater Marina

The Strand

This fantastic beachfront promenade features long pathways perfect for walking, rollerblading and bike riding; a jetty, recreational parks, a free water park, swimming pools, picnic areas and numerous different restaurants, cafés and bars. On the fourth Friday of every month The Strand holds the night markets and each year it hosts the Carols by Candlelight for Christmas and fireworks on New Years Eve.

Iconic Aussie things to do to celebrate Australia

Soak up Sydney’s gorgeous coastline with the Bondi to Bronte walk.

An easy to manage path is suitable for people of all fitness levels and offers some of the best views in the city. Stop at the lookouts to spot dolphins, whales, kayakers, surfers or just gaze upon the gorgeous Bondi Beach. Then wonder into Bondi’s café district to dine with the trendy locals or browse a few boutiques. Bronte Beach offers a large grassed picnic area for BBQs and salt water swimming baths for a cool dip.

Take a drive along Victoria’s Great Ocean Road.

Walk down into the famous surfing spot - Bells Beach or count the number of the 12 Apostles are still standing. Visit Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village at Warrnambool to learn about Australia’s most infamous shipwreck coast, claiming over 180 ships in its maritime history. The coastline is famous for its surf culture and this could not be more apparent by the number of surf shops in Torquay, the birthplace of iconic brands Rip Curl and Quicksilver.

Never smile at a crocodile.

With an estimated 100,000 to 200,000 adult Saltwater Crocodiles in the Northern parts of Australia, from Broome in Western Australia, across the Northern Territory coastline and down to Rockhampton in Queensland, the safest place to get up close with these big guys is at a crocodile farm or crocodile park. Crocosaurus Cove in Darwin offers the experience to get in the water with a chomper.. while safely inside a glass cage of course. Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures, located 40 min north of Cairns is a tourist attraction and commercial crocodile farm. Enjoy a boat trip on the lagoon to watch the crocs lift half their body out of the water to claim the dangling chicken or fish on offer. The sound created from their powerful jaws crashing together is something you will never forget.

Sample a local drop.

Barossa Valley in South Australia offers the chance to sample world famous Shiraz in historic cellar doors and local produce at Maggie Beers farm shop. The Margaret River region in West Australia offers an array of vineyards and dramatic surf beaches. Yarra Valley offers more than 120 wineries and premier restaurants just 1 hour from Melbourne. Tamar Valley in Northern Tasmania has cool climate wineries with growing reputations and Hunter Valley in New South Wales is steeped with historical architecture and serene countryside.

Jacob's Creek Vineyard

Visit Hobart’s old and new attractions.

Constitution Dock and Salamanca Place is the finishing point for the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. Steeped in history, visit local boutiques, craft shops and cafes during the week and the Salamanca markets on a Saturday. For those who enjoy edgy art, take a short 30 minute ferry ride to Hobart’s newest attraction – MONA. Privately owned, the Museum of Old and New Art also has a winery and micro brewery on site.

Hobart

Take a dip in a Gold Coast beach.

There is a beach to suit everyone – families can relax in the shallow, sheltered waters of Currumbin Creek, surfers can take on the world famous waves of Snapper Rocks near Coolangatta and the sun worshippers can settle upon glitzy Surfers Paradise Beach.

Tweed Heads and Coolangatta

Hear the crowds at the MCG on game day.

Cricket may be in the name ‘Melbourne Cricket Ground’, but it is the other sport played here that is uniquely Australian. Aussie Rules is a fast paced contact sport with 18 players a side, played on an oval ground. The sport is played all over the country, but its spiritual home remains at the MCG. Join the enthusiastic crowds and see patrons from 10 to 70 years of age passionately cheering for their team. Don’t forget to keep out the Melbourne winter chill with a scarf bearing your favourite team’s colours – which you can swing round your head (Kevin Sheedy style) when your team wins.

Melbourne Cricket Ground

See The Big Things.

Starting in the 1960’s Australia’s big things were developed to offer road trippers a place to stop along their journey. From The Big Merino at Goulburn, The Big Crocodile in Normanton and The Big Banana in Coffs Harbour they often are built to represent Australia’s native wildlife and local produce industries. You can climb The Big Pineapple at the Sunshine Coast, pat The Big Koala at Dadswell Bridge in Victoria or pull an air guitar pose at The Big Golden Guitar in the country music town of Tamworth. For the ultimate Big Things, stay at the crocodile shaped hotel of Gagudju Crocodile Holiday Inn in the Northern Territory, or enjoy sophisticated luxury at the stingray shaped Saffire Freycinet in Coles Bay, East Tasmania.

Gagudju Crocodile Holiday Inn

Enjoy a day at the races.

Aussies love a punt, which is why the Melbourne Cup is known as ‘the race that stops a nation’. It is a right of passage for young Aussies dress up in their finest and enjoy a day at the races when they come of age. Whether you take in the urban, sophisticated Melbourne Cup, Sydney’s Easter Carnival or a country race day - we live in a lucky country where many of us receive a day off each year to attend our local horse races.

Have a beer in a traditional Aussie pub.

The type your grandad used to visit - beer stained carpet, wooden stools and free nuts at the bar. For real authentic experience visit a country pub where the men where akubras hats and utes claim the car park. The evening isn’t complete until you’ve enjoyed an icy cold local brew on tap with a hearty country meal of ‘meat and 3 veg’ (vegetables). To experience real country hospitality stay overnight at one of the oldest and most famous outback pubs, Prairie Hotel, situated in the Flinders Ranges region of South Australia.

Prairie Hotel

Snorkel on our magnificent reefs.

Tropical North Queensland is not the only place with great snorkelling in Australia. The Whitsundays offer easy access to the Great Barrier Reef and Heron Island Island (off Gladstone) and Lady Elliot Island (off Bundaberg) are coral cays – meaning there is the opportunity to snorkel amongst the coral and fish right off the beach. For uncrowded, pristine beaches with great visibility consider Western Australia’s Ningaloo Reef (between Exmouth and Coral Bay). Here you can discover untouched coral and an arrange of water life within swimming distance from the beach.

Turtle