breathtaking barrier reef
What’s over 2000 kilometres or 1240 miles long and can be seen from outer space? The Great Barrier Reef stretches from the tip of Cape York to Bundaberg and it’s one of John Kirk’s favourite places on the East Coast of Australia…
“The reef covers an area bigger than the United Kingdom, Holland and Switzerland put together. It includes 618 continental islands and contains over 2900 reefs and coral cays. It is home to 1500 species of fish, 400 species of coral, 4000 species of molluscs, 500 species of seaweed, 215 species of birds, 16 species of sea snake, 6 species of sea turtles, a large population of dugongs and a host of sponges, anemones, worms, crustaceans, shells, sea stars, and sea urchins… not to mention seasonal visits by several types of jellyfish and stingers.
It is one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World and was listed as a World Heritage Site in 1981. It really is a fantastic place to visit and experience the underwater world. Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is one of those places where you really can’t imagine its beauty until you actually see it for yourself.
While in Cairns, take a trip to the outer reef or visit some of the islands and coral cays nearer the coast. You can fly over it, sail around it, swim and snorkel in its waters, dive amongst it and bask on its pristine beaches – which ever way you look at it, the Great Barrier Reef is breathtakingly beautiful!”
Tour Australia with Intrepid on trips like these great adventures:
Queensland Adventure – 12 days
Cairns and the Cape – Turtle Rescue – 6 days
* photo of John Kirk diving on the Great Barrier Reef
