Down Under Wonder

The Great Barrier Reef in Australia is a favorite destination of scuba divers, underwater explorers, and lovers of exotic, romantic tropical islands. It is a succession of spectacular reefs extending from just south of the Tropic of Capricorn off the Queensland coast to Torres Strait in the north.

It is 2000 kilometres in length — and visitors to the Reef have a choice of multiple access points all up and down the north Queensland coast, starting as far south as Bundaberg near the vicinity of Fraser Island.

Great Barrier Reef is an inscribed World Heritage site.

At its southern tip, Australia's Great Barrier Reef is as much as 300 kilometres from the mainland, which is a reason for the popularity of access points further north where the Reef is easier to reach, such as on day trips from Cairns or Townsville.

One of the easiest ways to visit the Reef is to join any of a number of cruises originating from major towns or cities on the north Queensland coast. A popular jump-off point is Cairns on the far north Queensland coast. Basically, this would involve sailing out to the Reef and anchoring at a place suitable for snorkeling or scuba diving. Viewing the reef formations without getting into the water can be done from glass-bottomed boats or submersibles. A stop at one of the cays or coral islands may be included in the tour.

A WARNING: If going diving, be sure to make mutual arrangements with other members of your group to insure you are on the boat returning to shore and, if you’re not, to alert the boat crew right away of your absence. It has happened that divers have been left behind - and haven't been seen again.

Remember, too, that there may be perils in the water from stingrays, stonefish and other dangerous creatures. Know what they are, take precautions, it's relatively easy to be safe.

Coral Sea and Great Barrier Reef

Coral Sea and onto the north-eastern coast of Australia, receives its name from the abundance of coral reefs and islands. The Great Barrier Reef, stretching along the north-eastern coast of Australia for 2000 kilometers, the most unique coral formation in the world. The width of the reef in the northern part of the average of two kilometers to the south, it increases, sometimes reaching 150 kilometers. The Reef is separated from the mainland by a lagoon, which reaches a depth of 50 meters. The Great Barrier Reef is intersected by natural channels and canals.

Reef recalls half-submerged fortifications, consisting of almost 2,900 individual reefs and 71 islands. Its age -10 000 years. This is a giant blob of life, which represents hundreds of living organisms.

You can gaze the corals for hours. That's where the whirlpool of life, that's where her extraordinary diversity: from tiny plants to huge giants, corals, sponges, turtles, sea stars and sea urchins, fish and worms. Bright spots sponges scattered limestone hills, and hollows visible massive claws of large crabs. Only under the water you can really see the multicolored coral, which is not in the faint copies of the representatives of the underwater kingdom, exhibited in museums.

Those who visit the Great Barrier Reef, should wish to undertake the journey along the reef is a very exciting and informative class. Around the blue, with shades of turquoise, sea, light breeze makes the sun burn you. Brown noldi - they are for some reason called "dumb Tern" - will accompany you on the road, something talking. A whole flock of dolphins can swim for about an hour together. Some occasionally fall on its side, and, slyly winking his eyes, you see. Others jump out of the water, grunting with pleasure. The water is so transparent that shows how all the bottom of this coral is overgrown with forest. There is a large rounded masses of coral, mushroom, tree, branching, plate. A palette of colors will leave envious any artist.

The main whip of the Great Barrier Reef are pirates - poachers. On the horizon can be seen fast boats, which instantly turn aside, seeing foreign boats. These barbarians literally gnaw Great Barrier Reef, breaking off the most beautiful corals, after which they begin to die.
Saving the Great Barrier Reef from destruction is a universal problem!!!