The Great Barrier Reef & the Whitsundays - Iconic, stunning and serene
The Great Barrier Reef is one of Australia’s ultimate travel experiences. It is the world’s largest stretch of coral reef teeming with fish, sharks, rays and turtles. This is truly heaven on Earth for scuba divers and nature lovers alike. Meanwhile, the 74 Whitsunday Islands are a glistening gem, offering unspoilt beaches and wonderful hiking trails.
Discover two of the most extraordinary parts of Australia
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:
This is one of Australia’s most breath-taking and renowned natural attractions – it’s a must-see on any Australia holiday
Diving and snorkelling opportunities are spectacular here
Take a boat trip along the reef to explore the colourful marine life and vibrant coral
