The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef system composed of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching for over 1600 miles over an area of approximately 133,000 square miles. The reef is located in the Coral Sea, off the coast of Queensland in northeast Australia. Now for some more facts and figures about the Great Barrier Reef. It reaches from Torres Strait between Bramble Cay, its northernmost island, and the south coast of Papua New Guinea, in the north to the unnamed passage between Lady Eliot Island, its southernmost island, and Fraser Island in the south. Lady Eliot Island is located 1,190 miles southeast of Bramble Cay.
The Great Barrier Reef can bee 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. This is one of the reasons that Great Barrier cruises have become so popular and why you should seriously consider visiting this natural wonder.
When talking about the Great Barrier Reef you cannot leave out a scuba diving holiday on North Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef. Great Barrier Reef cruises have also become popular in recent years. This is the ultimate Great Barrier Reef vacation. Diving Cairns provides some of the best scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef with multiple diving schools with shops and offer diver training. The main consideration with scuba diving is that it requires knowledge and care.
There are many expedition cruises for Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef. You can get cruises that range from 3 days to 11 days and offer itineraries to Cairns, Townsville, Lizard Island, Cape York, Torres Strait, Gove and Darwin. Prices for these cruises vary depending on how long you go and how many islands you go to. You can check out Coral Princess Expedition Cruises on the Internet.
You can also check out the Internet for Great Barrier Reef accommodation.
Make sure you search for motels, b&Bs, backpackers accommodation as well as Great Barrier Reef hotels and inns.
Also remember that the Great Barrier Reef travel agencies are more than helpful if you are planning a multiple island visit. They can assist with Great Barrier Reef hotel information and restaurant hints.
The Great Barrier Reef is a beautiful, exotic creation of nature. Don’t miss it!
