Great Barrier Reef ,Queensland, Australia » City Info

The Great Barrier Reef – Australia, is today amongst the Seven Wonders of the World. With its fascinating natural formations, the Great Barrier Reef is surely a fine example of God’s great creations. Blessed with pure beauty and intriguing diversity, it is no wonder why plenty of tourists visit this breathtaking destination.

The world’s largest coral reef is the only living thing that is detectable from outer space. Protected under the United Nations, this World Heritage Site, the Great Barrier Reef, is rich with marine life and coral reefs in assorted shapes, all with varying beauty. The hundreds of islands that form the Great Barrier Reef encompasses 3000 individual reef systems and coral cays, including some of the most beautiful sun-soaked beaches on earth.

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park stretching 3000 kilometres from the coastal town of Bundaberg to the tip of Cape York is nearly parallel to the coast of Queensland. The reef’s distance from the coastline ranges from 15 kilometres to 150 kilometres and 65 kilometres wide, in some parts. The tropical islands and the blue waters of the southwestern Pacific Ocean are rich in marine life with hundreds of varieties of fishes, dolphins, whales, sea turtles, sea snakes, etc. The land surrounding the sea is no less, with over 200 types of birds, 20 types of reptiles, etc being its residents.

If asked, an avid tourist’s first wish will be the Great Barrier Reef, with it being one of the most sought after tourism destinations. A hot spot for scuba diving, snorkelling and other water sports, the reef is a delight for tourists who want a quiet holiday as well as for those adventurous sports lovers.

Great Barrier Reef Regions

Northern Great Barrier Reef

Spanning most of the east coast of Queensland, The Northern Great Barrier Reef consists mainly of two cities Cape York Peninsula and Cairns. Cape York is a sparsely populated area while Cairns is a big city and a supposed mecca for scuba divers. The northern region is the culmination of more than 3000 reefs, coral cays, and a number of virgin islands. Only a few of the islands are inhabited by humans, where resorts have been built to promote tourism. Lizard and Haggerstone Islands are examples of such types of islands.

The Central Great Barrier Reef consists mainly of the Townsville coast and Whitsunday Islands. One of the most fascinating spots to visit while in Townsville is the Reef HQ which has the only coral reef under human administration, where you can get to safely feel and see the reefs.

The Whitsunday Islands are a popular set of 74 islands, of which the inhabited islands are known for their rich and luxurious resorts, beaches, sun and sand, and blue sparkling waters of the Pacific (and don’t forget the corals!) Other inhabited islands can be visited by charter boats, but with prior permission. The most important of all these islands are Daydream Island, Hamilton Island, Lindeman Island, and Brampton Island.

Capricorn Coast, Gladstone Port and Fraser Island make up the Southern part of the Great Barrier Reef. Lying 40 kilometres from Rockhampton, Capricorn coast is a shoreline based region in Central Queensland ranging from Keppel Islands in the South to Byfield and Shoalwater Bay in the north. The name derives from the Tropic of Capricorn which passes through this region. The coast is a major growing area of Queensland State and includes the towns of Yeppoon and Emu Park.

Gladstone Port is situated 100 kilometres to the south of Rockhampton and is a major industrial port in Australia, being rich in Coal and Aluminium. For those who find this uninteresting, not to worry, as the Port Curtis Historic Village, Quoin Island, Curtis Island and Castle Tower National Park are there to bring a sparkle to your eyes.

Fraser Island is the largest sand island in the world and a World Heritage site. Those who have the lucky chance of visiting this island will be able to see the freshwater sand dune lakes, white beaches and eucalyptus wooded areas.

Coastal Towns

A town located in Queensland, 88km south east of Townsville it is known for its rivers, creeks, estuaries, and clean beaches. For those who love fishing and water sports, this is the place to be. It is also Australia’s productive sugar-producing area along with being the mango capital.

Cairns

Cairns is a city with an international designed structure with plenty of shopping opportunities, tasty cuisines, accommodation, art and culture spots, as well as heritage sites. From here you will be able to visit the trio of the Great Barrier Reef, Australian rainforests and the Outback.

Charters Towers

A historical city, located in the inland part of Queensland, Charters Towers has its uniqueness tied in its olden time stories from the 17th and 18th centuries.

Cooktown is the place where Capt. James Cook accidentally discovered Australia via the Great Barrier Reef. Explore the life of Cooktown in its history, beaches, monuments, and museums. Some of the must-visit are Grass Hill lookout and Cherry Tree Bay.

Surrounded by 31 sandy beaches, one of its beaches is just 5 mins walk from the town centre. Some of the famous beaches are Harbour beach, Town, Eimeo, and Black Beach.

A stylish city for the class conscious with star accommodation facilities, it is an excellent base to explore the northern regions of the reef and rainforests of Daintree and Cape Tribulation.

About 40km away from the Capricorn Coast beaches, lays the town of Rockhampton known for its historical architectural buildings and National Parks. Located here is the Frazer Park and World Heritage listed Rockhampton Gardens.

Townsville is a place in Queensland where one can get to see the extremity of nature in the form of lush green rainforests, the outback, and virgin beaches and reefs. The town, a fast-growing region in Australia, is known for its nightlife and a perfect ladder to view the outback, rainforests, splendid waterfalls, tropical islands, and the Great Barrier Reef.