We’ve all seen the breathtaking images of the Great Barrier Reef and often pictured ourselves enjoying a relaxing tropical holiday, exploring this amazing piece of paradise.
Well, more than two million people from all over the world do exactly that every year and if you need any more convincing as to why you should be one of them, then here are ten reasons why you should take the plunge and visit the Great Barrier Reef for yourself.
It’s One Of The 7 Natural Wonders Of The World
The Great Barrier Reef is amazing! Not only is it the world’s largest living reef system, but it is also the largest living structure on Earth.
It is 344,400 km2 in area, which means it’s about the same size as Japan or Italy, or equivalent to 70 million football fields. Couple this with its intoxicating beauty and unique marine life, it’s no wonder it is one of the seven wonders of the natural world.
Image Credit: traveldigg.com
Abundant Marine Life
The Great Barrier Reef is made up of 2,900 individual coral reefs which are home to a staggering array of marine life including 600 different types of soft and hard coral, more than 100 species of jellyfish, 3000 varieties of molluscs, 500 species of worms, 1625 types of fish, 133 varieties of sharks and rays, and more than 30 species of whales and dolphins.
In fact, 10% of the world’s fish population can be found just within the Great Barrier Reef alone and chances are you may even be able to find Nemo.
Turtles
The Great Barrier Reef is also home to six of the world’s seven types of marine turtles and going out on a reef trip is a great way to see these majestic animals in their natural environment.
However, if you really want to get up close and personal with a turtle then take a visit to the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre on Fitzroy Island – a volunteer operated, non-profit organisation dedicated to the rehabilitation of sick and injured turtles.
They run daily tours that allow people to learn not only about the history of the organisation, but also the journey to recovery that injured or sick turtles undergo whilst at the Centre, prior to their release back into the ocean.
Tropical Islands
There are a vast number of tropical islands scattered amongst the reef, including 600 continental islands, 300 coral cays and about 150 inshore mangrove islands.
Many of these islands have been transformed into tropical havens and have long been idyllic getaways for holidaymakers. Amongst the most pristine and popular are Fitzroy Island, Hayman Island and Heron Island.
Diving and Snorkelling
The Great Barrier Reef is one of the most popular dive and snorkel destinations in the world and there are numerous tour operators available to cater to all ages and abilities.
With warm weather all year round you can spend hours exploring the best coral reef systems in the world while enjoying the opportunity to swim amongst the unique marine life, including the awesome giant clams, some of which are over 100 years old.
Whale Watching
Whale watching on the Great Barrier Reef is simply spectacular! The Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area provides an important breeding sanctuary for approximately 30 species of cetaceans (whales and dolphins) which is about 35% of the world’s total living cetacean species.
Those most commonly seen are Dwarf Minke Whales, Bottlenose Dolphins and Humpback Whales, including the only all white Humpback Whale in the world, affectionately known as “Migaloo”.
Whitehaven Beach
Whitehaven Beach is a pristine, award winning beach on Whitsunday Island. Whitehaven Beach stretches over seven kilometres and boasts brilliant white silica sand that is among the most pure sand in the world.
It gives a brilliant, near luminescent colour and does not retain heat like regular sand, so you can relish in the delight of sinking your feet into the soft, velvety sand and wading in the warm turquoise water.
Heart Reef
Heart Reef is located in Hardy Reef in the Whitsundays and is a stunning composition of coral that has naturally formed into the shape of a heart. It was discovered in 1975 by a pilot and is now an internationally-recognised attraction of the Whitsundays.
Heart Reef has been the site of many proposals and declarations of love over the years and helicopter and seaplane flights can be booked if you want to see it for yourself.
Image Credit: cruisewhitsundays.com
Manta Rays
The Manta Ray is the world’s largest ray, with a wingspan of up to seven metres. Lady Elliot Island located in the Southern Great Barrier Reef is known as the ‘Home of the Manta Ray’ and is the place to go if you want to see these amazing creatures.
These giant kites of the sea can be seen feeding around the island throughout the year but migrate in their hundreds during the winter months.
Close To The Daintree Rainforest
The region of Far North Queensland, where the Great Barrier Reef is situated, is also home to the world famous Daintree Rainforest and is the only place in the world where two world heritage listed sites exist side by side.
You can easily add a trip to the Daintree after your reef experience to explore the beauty of this ancient rainforest.
Image Credit: cairns-australia.com.au
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