Waters with alluring hues of
turquoise and aquamarine and an undersea world of colours that artists
only dream about.
Washed by the warm waters of the
South-West Pacific Ocean the perfect environment is created for the
world's largest system of coral reefs. The Great Barrier Reef is
of such pristine condition that it was listed as by the World Heritage
Trust as a protected site and is therefore managed by the Great
Barrier Reef Marine Authority to ensure that its beauty is maintained
for many generations to come. Visitors in their thousands come to
marvel at the spectacular sight seeing opportunities that is unique to
our area. The Wet Tropics World Heritage listed Rainforest on one side
and the Great Barrier Reef on the other. No other place in the world
offers such diversity.
Off the Cairns coastline are outer
edge ribbon reefs which may be up to 25 kilometres long. This is the
outer limits of the continental shoreline of prehistoric times. The
ribbon reefs can be seen by taking one of the daily
diving reef cruises
offered by local operators. One of the best ways to view the
reef is to take a low flying scenic
flight over it, especially at low tide where you'll see the
breadth and diversity of this great living wonder.
The waters of the Great Barrier Reef
provide the world's busiest and most varied marine habitats. Marine
life is in abundance. From the many species of coral to the sought
after Black Marlin and all sizes and species of fish in-between. The
varied colours of the reef's fish and other marine life will astound
the visitor with colour combinations that artists haven't even dreamed
of.
Although the Great Barrier Reef
stretches more than 2000 kilometres offshore from Queensland, it is
only at Cape Tribulation, just north of Port Douglas that the reefs
come right to the shore and meets the tropical rainforests of the Wet
Tropics. The Reef has over 1000 islands which are easily accessible
from North Queensland and coastal cities like Cairns and Port Douglas.
The coral islands are very popular tourist attractions. Some even have
varied vegetation including rainforest and are encircled by the coral
reefs. Accommodation in the islands
ranges from camping grounds to bungalows and luxurious resorts.
