General : Off the North Eastern Coast of Australia lies 2500 kilometers of spectacular corals extending  from Cape York to Bundaberg. This majestic coral structure is home to the largest variety of plants and animals species found at one particular location in the whole world. The Great Barrier Reef was enlisted as a World Heritage Site in 1981 due to the outstanding natural features of the site. The Reef has preserved the major stages of the earth's evolutionary history and is one of the best places to observe the ongoing ecological and biological processes. With an area larger than the the combined area of Ireland and United Kingdom, The Great Barrier Reef is the largest living organism and a part of World Heritage Property. The reef is pure poetry by nature and it enchants the visitor by it's sheer size and beauty. A real treat for the senses the Great Barrier Reef stimulates the mind and rejuvenates the body.

The Great Barrier Reef is not a single reef, it showcases more than 2900 individual reefs and 900 islands. It is also the breeding ground for some of rare and endangered species. The Humpback whales swim up from the Antarctic to give birth to their young in these waters and six of the world's seven species of sea turtle breed on the Reef (green and loggerhead turtles are two of the endangered species which nest here), while the dugong live among seagrass beds.

Activities : The Great Barrier Reef is a protected Marine Park and is based on achieving conservation of the reef and it's flora and fauna, while allowing reasonable amount of activities like tourism, fishing, boating, diving and research. It is a major tourist attraction in Australia and it offers opportunities for a number of delightful activities like snorkelling, diving, swimming, semi-submersibles, coral viewing and fishing. Each activity has something special in store for you. A day at the reef will stay embedded in your memory forever. One can experience the world's largest marine park by taking a cruise or by taking a scenic helicopter flight. 

The warm waters off the cost of Queensland and 6,600 species of flora and fauna offer some of the most spectacular diving locations in the world. Diving here is a whole new experience and it opens doors to a whole new world of unique life-forms and vibrant colours. The unique marine life existent here includes 1500 types of fish, 4000 types of molluscs, 350 types of echinoderms and 350 types of corals. The brilliant display of colours provides great viewing pleasure to the divers and snorkellers.

If you don't want to dive why not try viewing the reef from a semi-submersible or a glass bottomed boat - just as much fun without getting wet! The average water temperatures range between 22°C in July to 27°C in January making it ideal for all water activities the year round.  With a wide variety of fish the reef is an ideal fishing ground and it attracts avid fishermen from all over the world. The fertile warm waters of the Reef also provide opportunities for whale watching. The unique life-forms of the reef also attract a lot of researchers.  

Islands : 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, Port Douglas, Townsville, Gladstone, Bundaberg etc.These coral island 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.

Closest to Cairns are the Green and Fitzroy Islands and are accessible on day tour excursions by a catamaran cruise. While Green Island is a small coral cay with a low-rise resort, an underwater observatory and a marineland; the Fitzroy Island is known for it's rainforests and island walks.

Lizard Island is one of the popular and renowned resort island which is known for deep sea fishing, fine cuisine and some of the best diving sights. It lies 80 kms North of Cooktown. 15 kms of Port Douglas, the Low Isles is a  picturesque destination for day visitors.

Other popular islands like Dunk Island, Bedarra, Hinchinbrook and Orpheus Islands have villas and bures set amidst the tropical greenery. The Whitsundays showcases a variety of resorts which provide idyllic locales and romantic getaways.  To the south lie the unique Heron Island - the only true coral cay located on the reef - which is and excellent location for bird watcher's and scuba divers. The Fraser Island, which is also the largest sand island in the world,   is a World Heritage site and is listed as a place of exceptional beauty and natural phenomena. The Moreton Island lies closest to Brisbane and is home to a National Park.

Kuranda Rainforest
Kuranda - Just 27 kilometers Northwest from Cairns, the rainforest village of Kuranda is a must on every visitors tour programme. The village is located in the lush green tropical rainforests which is home to some of Australias unique flora and fauna and also the Tjapukai aboriginal culture.

This village, with an approximate population of about 800, is a delightful centre for some interesting sightseeing and shopping in the country style market and  is yet another unique experience that Australia offers to the traveler.
 
One can catch Kuranda Scenic Railway from the Cairns Railway Station. The one and a half hour climb up the spectacular ranges of Kuranda, through 15 tunnels and past breathtaking views of rainforest, gorges, mountains and waterfalls ends at the pretty railway station of Kuranda. The spectacular views stretch right across the forest and upto the coral sea and the Green Island.

The Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, just metres above the World Heritage Rainforest, is the world's longest  gondola cableway and carries people from the base of the MacAlister Range in Smithfield, just ten minutes from the Cairns International airport, and takes passengers to Kuranda. This 7.5 kilometer long cableway gives 90 minutes of some of the most prized moments of a lifetime.

The thrill of travelling above the rainforest canopy and then descending through the canopy to the floor of the forest, for two stops on the way, just cannot be described. This gondola ride has to be experienced in person. One is transported into a whole new world with unique sights, smells and sounds that make you feel like one with the rainforest.  Spending time at the two mid-stations is a part of this amazing journey. At these stations one can experience the rainforest by taking a guided rainforest boardwalk tour, visiting the high-tech computer based Rainforest Interpretive Centre and spending time at one of the rainforest lookouts. The Red Peak Station, in the heart of the forest is midst towering trees and a lush vegetation of palms, ferns and epiphytes. a guided ranger tour from the station is just right to witness the rainforest flora anf fauna at close quarters. The Baron Falls Station, is ideal to learn about the rainforest ecosystem as it features a Rainforest Interpretation Centre. This station is also the gateway to the spectacular barron Gorge and Falls.

Tjapukai Aboriginal Theme Park
Developed on 25 hectares of land, adjacent to the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and 15 minutes from Cairns the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park is once again a multi award winning and another first of it's kind. It is the only authorised presentation of Aboriginal culture in the Tjapukai Tribal area. The Tjapukai communities and their elders have approved and overseen the materials presented in the park. Five theatres, a museum, an art gallery and a traditional aboriginal camp combine to give a meaningful, educational and entertaining insight into the 40,000 years of Aboriginal History and Culture.