19
*Guest Post*
You may remember Roxana from her previous post about How To Have The Best Food Experience Abroad (if not, go check it out!). Well, she’s back with some more gorgeous photos and information to enhance your travel experience, this time to Australia! Hope you enjoy.
Roxana is a travel enthusiast from Sydney and she loves to write about her adventures. She is all about the healthy lifestyle, loves to run with her husband and dogs and has fun cooking exotic meals for her family. Being a typical Aussie, she often hits the waves and loves beaches and sunshine! You can find her articles on HighStyleLife and StyleByAsia.
~
Australia’s Most Amazing Wonder of Nature
Stretching over 2000 km along the eastern coast of the land Down Under, Great Barrier Reef is truly one of Mother Nature’s most exquisite works of art and the only living thing on our planet visible from space. This wonderfully rich ecosystem attracts millions of tourist each year. The reef is comprised of about 3000 individual reef system and coral cays, and hundreds of scenic islands with some of the most beautiful beaches. It is very difficult to resist falling in love with such a destination, where you feel like you are one with the nature and blessed with the most amazing sights. Now, if you are ready, we will go to this fantastic voyage together and try to capture the beauty of Great Barrier Reef with nothing but words.
The Richness of Ecosystem
There are 14 essential coastal ecosystems found in Great Barrier Reef: islands, coral reefs, coastline, open water, lagoon floor, seagrasses, freshwater wetlands, forests, rainforests, woodlands, estuaries, heath, shrublands, grass, and sedgelands. A listed World Heritage site, the reef is very much protected by the Australian government and various organizations. This is important because this site is home to many endangered and rare species, such as dugongs and sea turtles.
Ideal for Snorkelling and Diving
Since the reef is rich with tropical fish of every colour and size and other fascinating forms of marine life (sharks, sea turtles, corals, rays, etc.), it is ideal for exploring by snorkelling or diving. And although much of these activities is boat based, I prefer to get the most out of the reefs surrounding some of the islands. Regardless of where you stand when it comes to this, you will surely have a unique experience. I myself am a fan of snorkelling rather than diving, since it does not require much training and the gear is very light and pleasant.
A Different Kind of Diving
There is a very interesting offer of liveaboards as a way of discovering the richness of the reef. It is actually a perfect way for all the visitors who want to dive up to four times a day, with the possibility of night diving. The best thing about live-aboards, however, is the unique chance to visit the more remote parts of the reef. Usually, the trip lasts from one to twelve nights, and you can decide for the length before starting.
Made for Walking
Reef walking is probably one of the most beautiful ways I have experienced this site, because it gave me the opportunity to truly get a look at its mesmerizing beauty up close. This is possible because there are some reefs on the southern part which are exposed to low tide, so visitors can walk on the sandy tracks between living corals. I would advise to get a tour where you are accompanied by a naturalist, to learn whatever you can about the marine life and the reef itself.
A Tour around Reef’s Cities
Although this does not sound as a very adventurous endeavour, cities based around the reef can be truly fascinating, offering adventures of their own, and of course, there is the question of accommodation. I, for instance, was based in Port Douglas in a very cute pet friendly resort, because I was taking my best friends – puppies Brando and Astoria. Because each city has a genuine sense of individuality, you can choose your accommodation based on your needs, but you really should get to know all the other coastal towns. Cairns and Townsville, for instance, are great and growing cities where you can enjoy all the excitement of a coastal capital, while Port Douglas is, above all, peaceful and relaxing.
What are you waiting for? Pack today and start your adventure. Remember, when visiting this Australia’s favourite, make sure you treat it with respect it deserves as one of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet.
Oh man! I’ve been wanting to go to Queensland and see Great Barrier Reef for myself! Didn’t know that there are 14 essential coastal ecosystems there, but I guess that’s one of the things that make it great! I don’t dive but the chance to liveaboard sounds interesting to me as well! Something I’d definitely consider when I get the chance for a visit!
This pictures make me daydream about visiting (though I have always wanted to visit). I am scared of divingg (or better of fish) so I might go for a walk or just relax and enjoy the scenery 🙂
Arzo Travels recently posted…Review: Hotel Mercure Severinshof Cologne
Aus has sooooo much to offer! I would love to go diving and explore the Barier reef and the other famous spots there!
anna recently posted…Top Bloggers Tell You How to Travel Thailand like a Pro
I grew up with the GBR as my backyard and I love it when others love it too. The liveaboards are always a great idea too. So amazing to be able to stay out for a night on the reef. I was very interested to learn about the pet friendly place at Port Douglas though. Australia is so behind the world in terms of pet friendly so will be definitely noting this one down for future use.
We did a three day live aboard on the reef last year and it was amazing! We basically ate, slept and dove (and if we were lucky, we could squeeze a bathroom break in between the dives!) I’d do it again in a heartbeat
The Great Barrier Reef is indeed the best place to snorkel and scuba dive in the world. I’ve been there a couple of times and I can attest to that. The waters are so clear, so calm and so rich in marine life, you cannot beat that.
It’s hard to argue that anywhere else on earth has such incredible natural wonders as Australia after reading this. What an awesome place to live.
I’m also a fan of snorkeling but does snorkeling and diving negatively effect the eco-system?
I’ve been dying to visit Australia! Great post, thanks for sharing 🙂
I always love how Australia embrace the nature and one of the saddest thing is… the barrier reef is actually disappearing…. 🙁
@ knycx.wordpress.com
Such beautiful pictures! Australia has been on the top of my bucket list for some time now, and this just makes me want to go even more! I didn’t even know there was anywhere you could walk along living coral – it sounds like such an interesting way to experience the nature 🙂
Those photos are amazing. Swimming with sea turtles has always been on my bucket list. I just recently discovered the wonders of the underwater world, when I went snorkeling in Honduras for the first time about a year ago and I loved it. Now I am hooked and can’t wait to go and explore more.
Oh wow, look at that sea turtle! What a beautiful part of the world this is. I’d love to visit one day. Thanks for sharing
Lauren Meshkin @BonVoyageLauren recently posted…My Top 5 Things To Do In Nashville!
Great overview of the Great Barrier Reef visitor options. I long to dive there and will study the live-aboard trips. Hadn’t heard about reef walking before but given an established trail exists it shouldn’t hurt corals and sea life provided visitors take care to stay on the trail. I’ve seen some terrible, needless, damage done by inconsiderate or unaware divers or snorkelers. It sounds like although the bleaching of the Great Barrier Reef is about 80% there’s still much to see and I have faith that eventually the coral will revive in my lifetime or the next.
I would absolutely love to visit the Great Barrier Reef! We aren’t certified to dive yet, but it would be amazing to dive there someday, especially on a liveaboard! I think the reef walk would be really cool as well–I didn’t realize that was even an option! How fun!
Snorkeling in the Great Barrier has been on my bucket list for so long. I have to do this soon! What a beautiful place to explore underwater.
Janna recently posted…A Non-Wine Drinker’s Guide to Napa Valley
The Great Barrier Reef is one of the reasons I got my PADI certificate! But so far it’s still on my bucket list since Australia is so far away for me, but I’ll definitely get there for sure!
I LOVE the Great Barrier Reef! I first saw way back in 2008, I can’t wait to visit again someday! I only had a chance to go snorkelling and we had to wear those stinger suits but it was still such an amazing experience!
I would love to see all of this. The turtle made me think of Finding Nemo haha. Snorkeling at the GBR was prob an amazing experience.
The Great Barrier Reef is truly a treasure that needs to be properly preserved. I was amazed at the life and colour it had when I saw it!
[…] may remember Roxana from her previous post about Australia’s Most Amazing Wonder of Nature and How To Have The Best Food Experience Abroad (if not, go check it […]
[…] may remember Roxana from her previous post about Australia’s Most Amazing Wonder of Nature, European Must See Islands, and How To Have The Best Food Experience Abroad (if not, go check it […]
[…] may remember Roxana from her previous post about Australia’s Most Amazing Wonder of Nature, European Must See Islands, and How To Have The Best Food Experience Abroad (if not, go check it […]
[…] may remember Roxana from her previous post about Australia’s Most Amazing Wonder of Nature, European Must See Islands, How To Have The Best Food Experience Abroad, and The Best Trips and […]
[…] may remember Roxana from her previous post about Australia’s Most Amazing Wonder of Nature, European Must See Islands, How To Have The Best Food Experience Abroad, and The Best Trips and […]