Rekindle your love for travel with all the Great Barrier Reef has to offer
With news of a possible Singapore-Australia Travel Bubble coming end 2021, well, we say it’s never too early to dream. And one of the top destinations we have been dreaming of is one of the original Seven Natural Wonders of the World, the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, Australia.
Photo by Tourism & Events Queensland
Why, you ask? It’s because the great outdoors is what we need after being stuck in our concrete jungle for 1.5 years and counting. After all, the Great Barrier Reef is literally the biggest living organism on earth spanning 2,300km, from Cape York in the north of Queensland all the way to Bundaberg in the south. It is also home to more than 600 types of coral, 3,000 separate reefs and over 900 continental islands and coral cays.
It doesn’t matter if you want the chill life of soaking up the sun on golden beaches, or if you want to live it large with diving trips and helicopter tours – you’ll be living the dream here in Queensland, Australia.
It’s easy to get to the Great Barrier Reef
With direct flights to Cairns and Brisbane from Singapore, the Great Barrier Reef is affordable and easy to get to. While Cairns gives you direct access to some of the best parts of the Great Barrier Reef, you can also choose to take a domestic flight from Brisbane to The Whitsundays or Southern Great Barrier Reef for a truly unforgettable experience.
1. Hit the Open Sea and Snorkel among the Reefs
Photo by Tourism & Events Queensland
There is nothing like a Great Barrier Reef experience than heading right into the great blue and getting up close with the vibrant corals and abundant marine life. And with Great Barrier Reef Cruises, you will be able to do just that. Spend a day out in the sun on board a high-speed catamaran that departs from Airlie Beach or Hamilton Island, and journey past spectacular islands en route to the outer Great Barrier Reef.
Photo by Tourism & Events Queensland
Choose an introductory dive class, go on guided snorkelling tours, or if you're already a licensed diver, dive freely and enjoy the magnificent view underwater around the Hardy Reef Pontoon. All packages include a delicious buffet lunch, complimentary morning and afternoon tea, access to a semi-submersible, and an underwater viewing deck, plus a fun commentary by reef experts on how to take care of this great World Heritage Site!
Location: Airlie Beach, access from Cairns
2. Spend a night out on the Pacific Ocean
Reef Sleep by Cruise Whitsundays. Photo by Tourism & Events Queensland
Ever wondered what it would be like to fall asleep in the middle of the ocean? Well, now you can book a 2-day 1-night sleepover experience on the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns and The Whitsundays.
On the first day, depart early and spend the entire day out on a pontoon clocking off amazing activities like snorkelling and diving to meet marine wildlife, riding in a semi-submarine, and visiting the underwater observatory until the sun sets. Enjoy great company over scrumptious meals that come included with your tour.
Overnight on the Great Barrier Reef. Photo by Tourism & Events Queensland
In the evening, you’ll have the peaceful pontoon to yourself. Cheers your fellow travellers as sunsets over the reef, share a scrumptious dinner on deck, then head to the pontoon's top level to slip into your cosy swag under a blanket of stars. The quiet you experience after sunset from your pontoon in the middle of the Pacific Ocean is something different entirely.
Waking up on the reef the next day, there’s time for a quiet snorkel and breakfast with the fish before you head home.
This is on our bucket list, and you definitely should have it on yours too.
Location: Cairns and The Whitsunday
3. Got a toddler in tow to the Great Barrier Reef? No problem!
Aerial shot of Sunlover Reef Cruise. Photo by Tourism and Events Queensland
Opt for the full package with Sunlover Reef Cruises to spend four hours introducing your toddler to all the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef.
Slide into the Great Barrier Reef. Photo by Tourism and Events Queensland
If your tiny tribe is already water-confident, they’ll adore splashing down the only waterslide found on the Great Barrier Reef. Or for an easy introduction to snorkelling, an enclosed fish-filled ocean pool is the perfect playground for them to safely swim. Lifesavers patrol the pontoon swimming areas, and toddler buoyancy vests and flotation devices are also provided.
Glass Bottom Boat Tour. Photo by Tourism & Events Queensland
But the day won’t be a waste if they don’t (or won’t) swim. Here they can safely explore the underwater observatory, join a glass-bottom boat tour or semi-submersible without getting wet. For a sensory experience, visit the touch tank to learn about squishy sea cucumbers and count the legs on bright blue starfish.
We recommend that you book the Great Barrier Reef Cruise and Scenic Helicopter Flight Tour that includes a 10-minute scenic helicopter ride where you'll be treated to a jaw-dropping bird’s eye view of the serene waters.
Location: Cairns
4. Marvel at the size of the Great Barrier Reef on a Scenic Flight
Scenic flight over Heart Reef. Photo by Tourism & Events Queensland
This complete day tour is perfect for you as it combines all the best things to do while in The Whitsundays, whether above or below water! Start your day right with the amazing picturesque view of the Great Barrier Reef from the sky with a 60-minute scenic flight!
Admire the kaleidoscope of colours of the 2,300km long ecosystem comprising thousands of reefs and hundreds of islands onboard a small plane, and catch sight of well-known sights like Hill Inlet, Whitehaven Beach and Heart Reef.
Whitehaven Beach. Photo by Tourism & Events Queensland
Upon landing, enjoy free time and try out different activities such as snorkelling, a guided walk to Hill Inlet, a stroll along the coastline, lunch and complimentary use of stinger/wetsuits and stand up paddleboards. Don’t forget to pack your camera!
Location: The Whitsunday
5. Become a certified Scuba Diver to truly experience the Great Barrier Reef
Photo by Tourism & Events Queensland
If you’ve always wanted to learn how to scuba dive, there’s no better place in the world than in the Great Barrier Reef. After all, diving is one of the best ways to see this astonishing natural wonder, and having a PADI diving qualification comes in handy for future holidays, too.
You don’t need any experience at all to take part, and you’ll receive tuition while exploring the reef itself. At the end of the course, you’ll be given a PADI Open Water Diver Certificate, allowing you to dive unaccompanied throughout the world. Swimming among the reef is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many people, but if you invest in a diving qualification, you might find it prompts you to revisit. Either way, it’s a life skill that will take you to some incredible places.
Location: Cairns
6. Take an Epic Road Trip to soak in the best of the Great Barrier Reef
Aerial shot of Great Barrier Reef Drive. Photo by Tourism & Events Queensland
If you’re after a holiday where you can set the pace and explore North Queensland’s most famous nooks and crannies, a few days rolling along the Great Barrier Reef Drive will see you cruising the seam between two of the world’s most renowned heritage sites.
The Great Barrier Reef Drive comes speckled with chances to stretch your legs on secluded bush hikes and discover the reef on ocean safaris.
Photo by Tourism & Events Queensland
Starting from Cairns, hit the Captain Cook Highway to take the Great Barrier Reef Drive - 140km of tropical road-trippin’. Hit Port Douglas, a relaxed beachfront town on the Coral Sea, where you can easily catch a boat or even a scenic flight to explore the reefs. Pick up snacks at the Smithfield shops, detour to some of the most beautiful tropical beaches or grab lunch with the sand in your toes at Palm Cove.
You might even get a chance to feed a croc at Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures. Pull over at the Rex Lookout for a sweeping vista back towards Cairns. If the conditions are right you might get to watch paragliders riding the airstreams. You can also book an Outer Barrier Reef Cruise from Port Douglas with Quicksilver.
Daintree Rainforest. Photo by Tourism & Events Queensland
Head further north and you’ll find yourself in the ancient rainforests of Daintree National Park and the World Heritage-listed Cape Tribulation. Here, you can go on a boat tour to Mackay Reef for one of the best chances to catch a sea turtle in its very own habitat. Book a day tour to explore the oldest continually surviving tropical rainforest in the world: the Daintree Rainforest, and Immerse yourself in the culture of the Kuku Yalanji People and participate in a traditional smoke ceremony.
Can’t think of a better way to end a road trip than that!
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The World is Yours to Explore, Later
As we battle cabin fever after not being able to travel internationally for months, we have our eyes set towards the future where bright skies await us once all this is over. If you're daydreaming of a post-pandemic getaway, here are more inspirations to fill yourself up with.
