Stretching nearly 2,000 km along the Queensland coast between Cooktown and Gladstone, the Great Barrier Reef of Australia is constituted by a vast lagoon and a complex of reefs, atolls and islets. Given its size, it is illusory to visit the Great Barrier Reef as a whole. On the other hand, the reefs are between 30 and 70 km off the coast. Along the continent, water is rarely truly transparent and there is no coral. To see the magnificent coral reefs and a myriad of colorful fish like pictures, go off, either by taking a boat trip or by staying on an island. Follow the guide:
First choose your region: north, central or south.
- To the north, Cairns is the starting point for many day cruises on the Great Barrier Reef – to combine with the discovery of virgin rainforest in northern Queensland, a fascinating region. Check also several excellent dive cruises 2 to 6 days. For a stay on an island, we recommend Dunk Island.
- In the center, the Whitsundays is a paradise for sailing. You can rent a yacht with or without skipper or take one of the many cruises to choose from (often dive option). To explore the coral and tropical fish, take a look at the day on the reef. For a stay in the islands we recommend Daydream Island, Hamilton Island Hayman Island or Brampton.
- In the south, two extraordinary coral islands located directly on the reef and highly recommended for diving: Heron Island and Lady Elliot Island. Underwater, it is a delight. And from November to April, the turtles lay their eggs on the beach … Another island still deserves honorable mention: Lord Howe Island. Located two hours by plane off the mainland, it is not part of the Great Barrier Reef lagoon, but its beauty makes it a paradise for scuba / His volcanic landforms reminiscent of Polynesia.
Note: The Brisbane region is not part of the Great Barrier Reef: Islands in the South Queensland but are not reef sand: the amazing Fraser Island, strongly recommended that s’explore 4×4, or the pleasant island Couran Cove Resort with her where a multitude of activities are offered, or where Moreton Island tamed dolphins approaching every night of the beach, almost at hand …
Choose your holiday on an island in the Great Barrier Reef
- For a program beach, relaxation, water sports and multi-activities: Dunk Island, Long Island,
:: Daydream Island, Brampton Island, Hayman Island, Lindeman Island Club Med
- With very young children: Daydream Island, Club Med Lindeman Island
- Family (Kids Club and / or special children): Daydream Island, Long Island,
:: Club Med Lindeman Island, Heron Island
- For diving: Heron Island, Lady Elliot Island, Lord Howe
- Honeymoon Packages: Dunk Island, Daydream Island, Hayman Island
- Every year, free of jellyfish: Brampton, Heron, Lady Elliot, Lord Howe Island
- Escape to Queensland’s wet season: Lord Howe Island
- Very high end: Hayman Island
- For small budgets: Fitzroy Island, Lady Elliot Island
One of these islands you are interested contact us for a quote.
Climate
The Queensland coast enjoys a tropical climate and pleasant temperatures all year and knows only two seasons: hot and humid summer from January to April, the dry winter and cooler June to December. The bulk of rain falls between January and March, with a rainy season more pronounced in the north and the south (an average of 400 mm per month in Cairns in January, February and March against 170 mm in Brisbane). In addition, the islands are much less rain than the mainland, especially if they are low coral islands (Heron Island, Lady Elliot) because clouds do not cling. If you take a cruise the day, do not worry if it rains on the continent on the morning of departure, it is very likely that he will be fine on the reef.
The water temperatures range from 21 ° on average in winter (July-August) at 27 ° C in summer (December-March), hotter as you move north.
The rainy season sometimes brings jellyfish near shore dangerous. To protect yourself, some beaches have been furnished with nets. But if they stop out the big “box jellyfish,” they let the tiny “Irukandji” whose existence has only recently been highlighted. The solution is easy, is to pay any fine lycra suit for swimming. Why? Because jellyfish “lick” before attacking and if the taste is not natural, they do not sting. Simple and effective, the combination also protects you from sunburn! It is available for A $ 5 on all cruise ships per day. The alternative is to choose during the rainy season an island far south or far offshore: Brampton Island , Heron Island and Lady Elliot Island are never affected by jellyfish. Geographically isolated far east of the Great Barrier Reef, another island to escape the rainy season in Queensland as the jellyfish: it’s Lord Howe Island.
