It’s one of the most recognisable symbols of Australia – but go there and you’ll find that the Great Barrier Reef is far more than a holiday cliché. Made up of thousands of individual reef systems and hundreds of fine tropical islands there is nowhere else like this on Earth.
The reef itself is truly gigantic – longer than the Great Wall of China, and larger than the UK and Ireland combined. There are more than a thousand species of fish, a plethora of sharks and rays, and breath-taking multi-coloured coral.
With over 1,600 miles to explore, diving is unsurprisingly popular here. You can take day trips from the mainland in small dinghies or spend some time on a live-aboard yacht, which gives you the opportunity to see much more.
If diving isn’t for you, all is not lost. There are plenty of glass-bottom boat tours and shallow waters perfect for snorkelling. Scout for the elusive endangered marine turtles or enjoy a few days at a lavish resort on Lizard Island, you can’t go wrong.
Top reasons to visit the Great Barrier Reef:
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This is one of Australia’s most breath-taking and renowned natural attractions – it’s a must-see on any Australia holiday
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Diving and snorkelling opportunities are spectacular here
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Take a boat trip along the reef to explore the colourful marine life and vibrant coral
