Don’t sit on the Barrier – visit the Great Reef, Australia

Don’t sit on the Barrier – visit the Great Reef, Australia

This is a guest post by Marina Pliatsikas from Australia.

Many know the Great Barrier Reef as a popular tourist destination in Australia, attracting thousands of visitors every year. The largest coral reef in the world, the reef is the only life form on Earth which is visible from the moon. Now, with the ongoing Queensland flood disasters, experts are concerned for the future of the Reef, but visitors can help by providing ongoing interest and support for the area. Tourism generates the largest source of income for the reef, and is important for its ongoing funding, upkeep, and preservation.

A scenery to die for, Great Barrier Reef

While it’s a given that you’ll probably go snorkelling or scuba diving while you’re visiting the reef, here are 4 unexpected things you can do in the Great Barrier Reef this year.

Stay in a floating hotel

Giving new meaning to the term ‘sleeping with the fishes’, Fantasea Adventure Cruising offers the ‘Reeflseep’ experience to visitors of the Great Barrier Reef as the perfect way to enjoy the Reef in an intimate, quiet and peaceful atmosphere. The package includes, two full days and one night accommodation, all snorkelling equipment, breakfast, buffet lunches and dinner and of course, champagne sunsets overlooking the water.

Sea the Ballet

From the 1^st to the 3^rd of July this year, The Australian Ballet comes to Hamilton Island’s luxury resort, performing pas-de-deux scenes on a stunning open-air stage against the stunning natural backdrop of the ocean. The intimate performance is in its fourth year in 2011. See the photos for yourself – You’ll wonder why anyone books flights to Sydney to see the Ballet perform on an indoor stage!

Learn how to cook or take photos – or both

There are a number of cooking, painting and photography classes you can take part in while staying on one of the islands on the Great Barrier Reef. One in particular, the Hamilton Island Artist’s Retreat runs from Thursday 17 February – Monday 21 February 2011, and will ensure you go home relaxed and with some useful new skills.

Bungy Jump

Technically not on the Barrier Reef, but located nearby in Cairns, A.J. Hacket Bungy is located a tropical jungle north of Cairns, and has seen over 5 million visitors since its opening in 1990. Experience the rainforest from a completely different angle…such as upside-down.

There are always plenty of cheap flights heading all around Australia, so getting to the Great Barrier Reef is easy, with plenty of cheap flights to Cairns departing daily on all major Australian airlines. Then it’s just a short boat trip to any of the islands on the Reef.

Wilson Ng