A ribbon of color and life providing a habitat for more than 9000 marine species, the Great Barrier Reef is an Australian icon. Despite increasing threats to its survival, the world’s largest living organism – stretching along the Queensland coast for over 2300km (1429 miles) – continues to dazzle visitors with its surreal underwater scenery from tip to tail.
The sultry northern Queensland city of Cairns is the most famous gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, but there are plenty of other access points and an ever-increasing number of ways to experience this World Heritage-listed wonder and its 2900 individual reefs. Plan your first visit with Lonely Planet’s ultimate guide.
The best time to visit the Great Barrier Reef is generally from June to November.
From December to March, northern Queensland (north of Townsville) has its wet season, bringing oppressive heat, abundant rainfall and the occasional cyclone – but you will find bargains on reef tours and accommodation. Stinger (jellyfish) season is between November and May, with Lycra stinger suits provided to snorkelers and divers for protection.
However, anytime is generally good to visit the Whitsundays (usually accessed from Airlie Beach) and the southern Great Barrier Reef (from Great Keppel Island near Yeppoon, south to Lady Elliot Island). Nature’s calendar is useful for timing your trip, with key events including the whale migration (during the winter months of June to October), turtle nesting and hatching (November to April, which is spring to autumn time in Australia) and coral spawning (a few days per year between November and December). Manta rays are particularly abundant around Lady Elliot Island in the Australian winter.
You can experience the Great Barrier Reef in as little as half a day from most land-based hubs along Queensland's coast, but you’ll need a full day to experience the outer reef, home to more impressive diving and snorkeling spots.
Liveaboard dive boats visit the most spectacular reefs; most depart from Cairns and run for one to seven nights.
Further south, sailing trips in the Whitsundays are another popular way to experience the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Standard trips run for two nights/three days and include snorkeling stops and optional introductory dives.
It’s possible to stay on many of the reef’s 1050 islands and coral cays. Wake up with the reef on your doorstep at an island-resort base such as Lizard Island (accessed by plane from Cairns), Green or Fitzroy Island (accessed by boat or ferry from Cairns), the Whitsundays (fly to Hamilton Island or take a ferry from Airlie Beach), Heron or Wilson Island (accessed by barge from Gladstone) or Lady Elliot Island (accessed by plane from
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Before Australia’s East Coast burnished its reputation as a haven of sun, sand and sea, it was the temperate climate of Tasmania, the country’s largest island, that lured visitors from across the British Empire. Sometimes called the “sanitarium of the south,” it was noted for its salubrious climes, which were considered an antidote to havoc wrought on delicate constitutions by tours in the equatorial colonies. Some two centuries later, the heart-shaped landmass 150 miles off the mainland’s southeast coast is still seen as a place of invigorating isolation.
Solo female travellers are a growing and very attractive market; in fact, 14% of women travel without the company of family, friends or a partner, which translates into habits, needs and expectations, as well as specific tourist services and products. Mabrian and The Data Appeal Company-Almawave Group, analysed the female solo traveller demand worldwide* to identify five key factors that outline the profile of this segment.
American Airlines will launch a new flight to Turks and Caicos next year, marking the first-ever direct flight from the United States to the island of South Caicos.
Since I moved to Washington, I've been trying to explore my area more. Recently, I took two ferries to Bainbridge Island, a popular spot for daytrippers.
The dream of free night awards at luxury hotels: It’s the carrot-on-a-stick that drives many of us to get into credit card points in the first place. One sure-fire way to earn these perks is through co-branded hotel credit cards that run sign-up bonuses or annual free night awards. For example, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless offers three free nights when you open a new card and meet certain spending requirements. The Hilton Surpass is also currently running a promo for an additional free night, and all the major brands offer free nights to celebrate cardmember anniversaries for having cards like the IHG One Rewards Premier.
Etihad Airways and Batik Air Malaysia launch a codeshare partnership enhancing connectivity with new domestic and international destinations via Kuala Lumpur, facilitating seamless travel and luggage transfers for passengers.
SeaWorld Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, the world’s largest indoor Marine Life Theme Park, is offering thrill seekers an electrifying experience this summer. The first-ever Electric Ocean Festival is taking place daily from 6:00pm to 8:00pm until August 25.
At TPG, one of our main missions is to teach our readers how to use points and miles to secure dream trips they otherwise wouldn't have been able to afford. Often, we don't hear about the trips that our readers end up taking, but every now and again, we're gifted with tales of special experiences.