VISIT THE GREAT BARRIER REEF
swim, snorkel or dive a reef so big you can see it in space
GRAB YOUR FLIPPERS AND WETSUIT
Check out the technicolor coral and marine life through a glass-bottomed boat from coastal hubs such as Cairns, Port Douglas, Townsville, Bundaberg, Rockhampton, Mackay, Mission Beach and Airlie Beach. Or experience the reef’s smooth seas, deep drop offs, underwater tunnels and caves with a dive school or day trip operator. Snorkel or dive the edge of the continental shelf at Agincourt Reef from Cairns, explore the SS Yongala shipwreck from Townsville and Magnetic Island and the Llewellyn shipwreck from Mackay. See sea stars, crabs corals, molluscs at Fitzroy, Capricorn and Bunker Reefs near Gladstone. Or kick through vivid coral canyons and past marine turtles near Lady Elliot and Lady Musgrave Islands. In the Whitsundays, the warm clear water and psychedelic coral reefs are just a day trip from your Airlie Beach or island resort.
THREE WAYS TO EXPLORE THE GREAT BARRIER REEF
ISLAND HOP
Party in Airlie Beach, hit the water sports on Hamilton, honeymoon on luxurious Hayman or just chill out on the soft, white sand of Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island. For accommodation, you’ll find everything from five-star resorts to the back-to-nature simplicity of tents in natural settings. You can go castaway on many of Great Barrier Reef’s lush island national parks.
SET SAIL
Set sail from Port Douglas for Low Isles, a secluded island jewel discovered by Captain Cook in 1770. Or charter a boat from Hamilton Island or Airlie Beach and coast through the turquoise water of the Whitesundays. Anchor overnight at picturesque moorings such as Whitehaven Beach, Cid Harbour and Butterfly Bay and visit the reefs of Black, Langford and Bird Island along the way. Stop for resort relaxation on Daydream, Hamilton or Long Islands.
DEEP IN THE JUNGLE
Trek, camp and commune with nature in the region’s national parks, which stretch from Cape York to the lush Whitsunday islands. Cruise down the Daintree River and visit Mossman Gorge in the Daintree Rainforest. Spot nocturnal wildlife and swoon at Bloomfield Falls when you reach Cape Tribulation, where the forest plunges literally to the reef. Bushwalk through gorges and subtropical and tropical rainforests in Eungella National Park, set in the mist-shrouded mountains west of Mackay. Picnic under swamp mahoganies and red gums and take in scenic lookout and rich bird and wildlife.
FIVE STAR HOTEL - HILTON SURFERS PARADISE
Hilton Surfers Paradise brings a new kind of indulgence to the heart of the Gold Coast. With spectacular views of the beach, cityscape and magnificent Gold Coast Hinterland, the hotel offers an unprecedented range of accommodation options - from luxurious Hilton Guest Rooms to stylish Residences, all with Hilton's famous hospitality and services as standard.
PASSPORT REQUIREMENTS
You must have a valid U.S. passport and a visa to enter Australia.
HEALTH CONCERNS
In general, no special immunizations or medications are necessary for travel to Australia. However, insect repellents and other measures to prevent mosquito bites are strongly advised for many areas, especially the Northern Territory and Western Australia, because of the risk of Murray Valley encephalitis, Ross River virus infections, and other mosquito-borne illnesses