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Guide to Great Barrier Reef: Nature Wonderland

TripBlog
TripBlog
Oct 29, 2019

Catalogue

  • Reef Encounter
  • Hayman Island
  • Reef HQ
  • Magnetic island
  • Heron Island
  • Cruise Michaelmas Cay
  • Cruise the Agincourt Reef
  • Relax in Airlie Beach
  • Conclusion
  • Show More

A reef is a bar of rock, sand, coral, or something else of similar material which is lying beneath the surface of the water. Artificial reefs like shipwrecks, sometimes have a role in enhancing the physical complexity of featureless sand bottoms, in attracting a diverse assemblage of organisms, especially algae and fish. The barrier reef is a coral reef roughly parallel to ashore and separated from it by a lagoon or other body of water. It is usually pierced by several channels that give access to the lagoon and the island or continent beyond it. The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef system made of more than 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching for over 2,300 kilometers, covering the area of approximately 344,400 square kilometers. It is in the Coral Sea, off the coast of Queensland, Australia. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are the traditional owners of the Great Barrier Reef Region who lived adjacent to the reef for more than 50,000 years. Coral reefs begin to form when free-swimming coral larvae attach to submerged rocks or other hard surfaces along the edges of islands or continents. As and when corals grow and expand, reefs take on one of three major characteristic structures fringing, barrier, or atoll. Below is the list of must-visit spots for tourists in The Great Barrier Reef.

Reef Encounter, The Cairns Best Liveaboard on the Great Barrier Reef. It is a 35-meter luxury catamaran, designed for utmost stability and comfort at sea. Reef Encounter visits the most captivatingly beautiful areas of the natural wonder. A day is not enough, and one should keep 3 to 4 days to explore Reef Encounter. It also includes top sun deck, forward sun deck with spa, and a dedicated smoking area on the rear second level are the main features. There is number of fun activities for the tourist. The large easy access water platform allows hassle-free snorkeling. All the equipment required for snorkeling and tuition is included in the trip. So, one needs not carry required equipments along. It will be a super experience for the complete family as there is no limit on age, everyone in the family can enjoy, the most important part is, no experience required, they will teach you snorkeling and will also provide with life jackets, to make snorkeling easy, for anyone. Another fun activity is scuba diving. The large easy access water platform allows hassle-free scuba diving, which is a very popular and fun-loving activity among young people. Tourist and first-time explorers will have an unforgettable experience on the Great Barrier Reef, with the fantastic dive liveaboard from Cairns. There are different diving spots, based on the say, and you may be allotted with any of the spots. It is recommended not to miss the sunrise dive and night dives, as these are possibly the most magical times on the reef, one can enjoy.

Guide to Great Barrier Reef: Nature Wonderland

Hayman Island is located in north of the Whitsunday Islands, which is managed by InterContinental Hotels Group. It is part of the Cumberland Islands, which are located off the coast of Central Queensland. Hayman Island is a secluded piece of paradise which will amaze visitor with its awesome natural beauty and serene location. The main features of the Island include grassy cliffs, crescent-shaped white beaches, and celestial blue sea. Visiting the place will be spectacular sensory experience for tourists. Roughly it costs 700 Dollars per aircraft for a visitor to stay on the Island. There are endless activities for the tourist, which will make the trip experience rememberable. The easiest way to get to Hayman Island is via a transfer from the Great Barrier Reef Airport on Hamilton Island. All launch transfers, helicopters, and seaplanes connect with commercial flights and depart from here. Hamilton Island is very expensive to stay as well as for food. There is a lot of options for food but is overpriced like a packet of chips in Reef View Hotel Lobby Dollar 7.90, which costs 2 Dollars at Safeway. Tours and activities on the island are also expensive, with prices for day trips exceeding $500 for a family or group of 4 people. The water on the beach is crystal clear, and it is the main reason for attraction to tourists as they get immense peace and pleasure at the location.

Guide to Great Barrier Reef: Nature Wonderland

Reef HQ is the world's largest living coral reef aquarium. It is in Townsville, Queensland, Australia. The aquarium was built as a Bicentennial Commemorative project and is a part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. Since 1987, it is also called 'The Great Barrier Reef Aquarium.' Opening hours for Reef HQ Aquarium's Waterview Cafe are from 9:30 am to 3 pm. There is a wide range of refreshments available for the tourists. The view of 2.5-million-liter coral reef exhibit makes it worth visiting the place. Reef-In Store remains open from 9:30 am to 5 pm, those who want to take the memories to their homes for their loved once, they can shop from this store, there is some of the other activity for visitors of all age group. For adults, the ticket price is 28 Dollars, for children of age group of 5 to 16 years, the ticket price is 14 Dollars, whereas it's free for the children of less than 5 years of age. One call also opts for a family pack, which costs 70 Dollars for 2 adults and 3 children, which is very economical. There are many activities for tourists like The Predator Dive Show, Animal Feeding Tour, Shark Feeding Show, and Turtle Talk, which will make your trip unforgettable. Visitors must nor skip wonderful Reef HQ during their travel and must-visit.

Guide to Great Barrier Reef: Nature Wonderland

Magnetic Island is an island 8 kilometers offshore from the city of Townsville, Queensland, Australia. It’s a 52 square kilometer mountainous island in Cleveland Bay and has effectively become a suburb of Townsville, with more than 2100 permanent residents. The island is reachable from Townsville Breakwater to Nelly Bay Harbor by ferry. Magnetic Island has the perfect temperature water for swimming throughout the year. So, the visitor can plan he trip, any month of the year. Stinger nets are available at Picnic Bay and Horseshoe Bay. If one wants to swim outside the nets during the season, it is advisable to wear a stinger suit that you can either buy or take it on rent from outlets on the island. Magnetic Island has over 23 bays and beaches, including the popular and the more remote beaches, which require more effort to get there but assures the presence of no one else. It’s a very beautiful and peaceful beach with not many activities, one can go for car ferry, across the Magnetic island. If you want to take sunbath on the beaches, it is recommended to carry your things like towel and other required items. Forts walk, is another activity for the visitors, it takes approx. 90 minutes to complete the round. The magnetic island gives a sense of magic and attraction to the tourists; it is recommended to click tons of pictures at the location.

Guide to Great Barrier Reef: Nature Wonderland

Heron Island is a coral cay located near the Tropic of Capricorn in the southern Great Barrier Reef, which is 80 kilometers towards the northeast of Gladstone, Queensland, Australia, and 460 km towards northwest of the state capital Brisbane. The beaches in Heron Island are known as the best place to snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef. It’s a must-visit place for nature lovers. Tourists can enjoy bird walks and island walks, and reef walks on the dependence of weather, Turtle watching, and Nature presentations. It is advisable to take guide along for these activities. If one wants to walk around the Island, as it’s a small Island, but there are many things to see, it generally takes 35 to 40 to complete the round. One most important thing for the young tourist is there is no TV or internet WiFi from your room, whereas you can purchase some internet time in the bar area to connect to your loved once. There is also no mobile phone network available, but there are 2 pay phones available. So, better to inform your family before visiting the place. The only negative about the island is that other than inside the rooms, smoking is permitted everywhere, which spoils the nature atmosphere of the island. It is suggested to take care of nature too and do not smoke and spoil such a healthy atmosphere. People who are nature lovers must visit the place. It is rightly said the beauty is in the eyes of the person; still, this place holds beauty both internally and externally and is a must-visit place.

Ocean Spirit Cruises offer Great Barrier Reef cruises visiting Michaelmas Cay, a protected sanctuary that plays host to 20,000 migratory seabirds. This unique sand cay is ideal for nature lovers, with 14 different species nesting on the cay. This Great Barrier Reef tour offers a wide range of activities, including snorkeling, scuba diving, introductory scuba diving, semi-submersible coral viewing, and coral cay scientific tours. All the activities are very similar to those of Reef Encounter. Most of the young visitors visit the place for diving and snorkeling activities. They teach diving to the one who has never experienced it before. Here, diving is available only for adults. Seafood over here is very famous. The tickets are free for children of less than 4 years of age. It is advised to carry a Camera, swimming costume, beach towel, hat, sunscreen, and a shirt for sun protection along too enjoy diving. Special attractions are cairns, Cairns Northern Beaches, Port Douglas, Cookstown & Cape York, Atherton Tablelands, and Gulf Savannah & Outback. The cruise experience is the most memorable in life. Visitors must get indulge in all water sport activities and enjoy to the fullest on this location. Fun-loving and adventure-loving people must visit the place with friends, family or loved ones.

Guide to Great Barrier Reef: Nature Wonderland

Agincourt Reef, special reefs known as 'ribbons' which runs parallel to the Continental Shelf. Adjacent to the Coral Sea trench, these ribbon type reefs are recognized as the most pristine eco-systems in the reef's environment. Clearwater gives the best possible underwater visibility, encourages rich coral growth and supports spectacular marine life. As the region's outer reef pioneer, one should choose the best location available to show nature's finest. One can explore the outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef, Agincourt Ribbon Reefs, in the trip. Tourists will experience incredible underwater views by snorkeling or from the observation deck. Kids will enjoy the activity for fish feeding. The dramatic beauty of the Great Barrier Reef can be an extraordinary experience for the tourist. It will engage all your senses, lifts your spirit and takes you into another realm. Sharing the wonder of the world's largest living entity, realizing its breathtaking color and majesty, seeing nature at its most perfect is an awakening and quite simply, the memory of a lifetime. Come and experience nature's finest with Australia's best. At Agincourt ribbon reef, you'll feel as if you've embraced paradise. The cruise is awesome to plan for any activity like snorkeling, diving, jumping from helicopter. Visitors must not skip the Agincourt reef while planning for a vacation. Agincourt is always on the top list while planning for itinerary.

Guide to Great Barrier Reef: Nature Wonderland

Airlie Beach is a relaxed Australian resort town on Queensland's Whitsunday Coast. Australia, in itself, is the awesome and beautiful destination to plan a holiday and trip. There are numerous beaches in Australia, amongst which Airlie Beach is the most important touristic destination these days. Airlie Beach had a population of only 1208 people in the year 2016. Airlie Beach is well worth a visit. It's not only located on the Great Barrier Reef, but it's also home to the world-famous Whitsunday Islands. There are two public beaches situated in Airlie Beach where visitors can swim, one is located near the Port of Airlie Marina and is known as 'Boathaven Beach,' whereas the other one is situated in Cannonvale. One will be encouraged to swim in the enclosure. Visitors swimming in these areas should be very careful, as these beaches do not have any lifeguards. Airlie Beach and the Whitsunday region are home to many species of wildlife, including the infamous and intimidating saltwater crocodile. So, it is suggested, the visitors who know how to swim should take a risk to swim in these areas. Airlie Beach's closest airport hubs are Hamilton Island and Whitsunday Coast Airport. Both are serviced by flights from domestic airlines, including Qantas, Virgin Australia, Jetstar, and Tiger Airways. The best things to do in Airlie Beach are visit restaurants, bars, local markets, and boutiques. One can learn sail, enjoy Airlie Beach Lagoon and should explore the hinterland. Beach is famous for relaxing by the Airlie Beach lagoon and head to the morning markets that offer a quaint range of local arts and crafts, fresh fruit and vegetables, and much more.

Guide to Great Barrier Reef: Nature Wonderland

Functions of Coral Reefs are important for many different reasons aside from supposedly containing the most diverse ecosystems on the planet. It protects coastlines from the damaging effects of wave action and tropical storms. Provide habitats and shelter for many marine organisms. The Great Barrier Reef is one of the 7 natural wonders and is also known as the planet's most extraordinary natural place. It is larger than the Great Wall of China and the only living thing on earth visible from space. Protecting the reef is essential to make it a remarkable ecosystem and a myriad marine life. Nowadays, reefs are dying by human activities, which is slowing their growth and makes them vulnerable to disease and death. Come and see the Barrier reef with your family and friends.

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