Great Barrier Reef Vacation

[Travel Guru]

We had a vacation by the great barrier reef in Australia back in 1992, and it was one of the best hollidays in our lives! If you have not had the chance to visit the great barrier reef for a vacation, you just need to do it. Maybe this information on touring Australia's gem (the great barrier reef) will help encourage you to give it a try.

A large part of the reef is protected by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, which helps to limit the impact of human use, such as overfishing and tourism. Other environmental pressures to the reef and its ecosystem include water quality from runoff, climate change accompanied by mass coral bleaching, and cyclic outbreaks of the crown-of-thorns starfish. The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest whale system, composed of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching for 2,600 kilometres (1,616 mi) over an area of approximately 344,400 square kilometres (132,974 sq mi). The reef is located in the Coral Sea, off the coast of Queensland in northeast Australia. The Great Barrier Reef can be seen from outer space and is the world's biggest single structure made by living organisms. This reef structure is composed of and built by billions of tiny organisms, known as coral polyps. The Great Barrier Reef supports a wide diversity of life, and was selected as a World Heritage Site in 1981. CNN has labelled it one of the seven natural wonders of the world. The Queensland National Trust has named it a state icon of Queensland.

Washed by the warm waters of the South-West Pacific Ocean the perfect environment is created for the world's largest system of coral reefs. The Great Barrier Reef is of such pristine condition that it was listed by the World Heritage Trust as a protected site and is therefore managed by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority to ensure that its beauty is maintained for many generations to come.

Visitors in their thousands come to the Great Barrier Reef to marvel at the spectacular sight seeing opportunities that is unique to our area. The Wet Tropics World Heritage listed Rainforest on one side and the Great Barrier Reef on the other. No other place in the world offers such diversity so close to each other. The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef in the world, roughly parallel to the coast of Queensland, Australia, for almost 2,000km. Australia has almost 1/5th of the world's reef area and most is located in the (GBR) Great Barrier Reef. Reefs form where temperatures don't fall below 18 degrees Celsius (64 degrees Fahrenheit) for long periods, so are usually found between 30 degrees north and south of the equator. Most require very saline water, also the water must be very clear so light penetrates. Corals found in the Great Barrier Reef contain algae and the relationship between the algae produce oxygen and help the coral to remove wastes. When this relationship breaks down, the coral suffers and becomes bleached. Bleaching is a major worry for those looking after reef health, as coral dies if bleaching is prolonged.

The Great Barrier Reef is a breeding area for humpback whales, migrating from the Antarctic and is also the habitat of a few endangered species including the Dugong (Sea Cow) and large Green Sea Turtle. In recognition of its significance, UNESCO listed the Great Barrier Reef as a World Heritage Site in 1981. In 2006 there were approximately 820 operators and 1500 vessels and aircraft permitted to operate in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park providing ease of access for all to experience the Great Barrier Reef and learn first hand about its natural delights and World Heritage values.

The Great Barrier Reef Visitors Bureau provides you with one easy booking centre for all of your extensive itinerary planning, including resort & hotel accommodation, tours & cruises, dive trips and car rentals - just one enquiry does it all. Aside from being the gateway to the magnificent natural attractions of the reef and rainforest, Cairns is a sophisticated city in its own right; a waterfront city framed by the Coral Sea and the Great Diving Range. Much of the holiday accommodation is close to shops, restaurants, theatres, galleries and nightclubs. The Esplanade is a major focal point of Cairns City, inviting yo to relax on the grass beside the sparkling blue waters of Trinity Inlet. Picturesque Port Douglas, hub of the reef and rainforest coast, is just 70 kms north of Cairns airport along a spectacular scenic coastal drive. From the stunning sweep of its 4 Mile Beach to the wilderness of Dicksons Inlet, the world famous seaside village of Port Douglas has become an international holiday mecca. Sharing the same tropical latitude as Tahiti, "Port" (as it is affectionately called by the locals) has a distinctive "laid back" low rise tropical old world charm, with an extensive range of accommodation and an international array of world class restaurants and shopping.

I can't wait until we go on our next vacation to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia!