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Great Barrier Reef | Sydney

	The Great Barrier Reef, off Australia's east coast, is one of the wonders of the natural world. It is World Heritage listed and is one of Australia's, and the world's, premier holiday destinations. The combination of glorious weather (be aware that it rains a lot in the wet season!), pristine rainforest, white sandy beaches, and an ocean varying in hue from blue to turquoise to green, ensures it's where the world wants to go to lie on the beach, swim, surf, snorkel, sail, bushwalk and birdwatch. The area abounds with wildlife, including dugong and green turtles, varieties of dolphins and whales, more than 1500 species of fish, 4000 types of mollusc and more than 200 species of birdlife. The Great Barrier Reef system consists of more than 3000 reefs which range in size from 1 hectare to over 10,000 hectares in area. The reef is scattered with beautiful islands and idyllic coral cays and covers more than 300,000 square kilometres. More than 2 million people visit the reef each year generating more than $AU2 billion in tourism dollars, making tourism a major earner for the north-eastern Australian economy. Tourists are carried to the reef system by more than 500 commercial vessels, and tourism is permitted through nearly all the Park. Most of the Reef is part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and various parts of it are protected in certain ways - for example, fishing is restricted in some areas, particular animals - like whales, dolphins, green turtles and dugong - are protected. But visitors value the reef's beauty and diversity - that's why they visit after all - and there is support from tourism operators and tourists as well as government agencies to develop approaches to tourism sustainable over the longer term. Although stretching more than 2000 kilometres offshore from Queensland, it is only at Cape Tribulation, just north of Port Douglas that the reefs come right to the shore and meets the tropical rainforests of the Wet Tropics. With over 1000 islands which are easily accessible from North Queensland and coastal cities like Cairns and Port Douglas. The coral islands are very popular tourist attractions. Some even have varied vegetation including rainforest and are encircled by the coral reefs. Accommodation on the islands that are inhabited ranges from camping grounds to bungalows and luxurious resorts. Jump on board an inflatable raft and feel the rush of racing down the rapids on the Tully river with a white water rafting adventure, take a low flying flight over the Great Barrier Reef (the only way to truly appreciate the reef), visit the Wet Tropics Rainforest with one of the specialized safari tour operators, fish the estuaries and/or the reef, snorkel or scuba dive to see the natural beauty of the Great Barrier Reef, jump out of a plane at 8000 feet (with a parachute of course) or simply take a cruise to the islands and outer reefs. However you like your adventures from calm and relaxed to adrenalin pumping excitement, there is enough here to keep you satisfied. Local tour operators are specialists in their field and provide industry leading service and safety.
	The primary Tourism uses are:- 1. dive operators 2. large vessels operating to pontoons moored at attractive off-shore reef sites 3. island resorts 4. cruise ships 5. charter vessels 6. airplane and helicopter scenic joy flights 7. bareboat self-skipper charter Undersea World Aquarium Meet our Marine Biologist for a comprehensive and enlightening guided tour, covering all the fish, corals and environmental aspects of our "Natural Wonder." 8.00am to 8.00pm 7 days a week including Christmas Day. At the Pier Market place Cairns on the waterfront. Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park Is a magical, mystical world in Cairns, North Queensland, Australia, dedicated to preserving and presenting authentic Aboriginal culture with the aid of technology. Five theatres, a museum, an art gallery and a traditional Aboriginal camp.
	Bungy Jumping people get a huge sense of achievement from completing a jump. They push beyond and extend their personal limits. We give people the opportunity to experience a totally uncensored rush of emotional energy; they laugh; they scream; they sometimes cry. Most importantly they change their own lives through a greater sense of self worth and achievement. Majestic creatures, such as the giant humpback whales spend their winters in the tropics and may grow to more than 15 metres [45 feet] in length. Tourists revel in the dances that the whales perform right along side their boats. With huge tail flukes they make an impressive display. Another friendly marine mammal is the bottlenose dolphin who enjoy playing in schools. They often ride the bow waves of boats. Both the whales and dolphins are now a protected species.