GREAT BARRIER REEF

To dive the Great Barrier Reef is every divers dream. You can combine your first diving experience on the Great Barrier Reef with a 3 day liveaboard cruise and PADI Dive Course all with The Scuba Centre. Courses are also available at the training centre in Airlie Beach. As a certified diver you can take a 3 day live aboard from Cairns or the ultimate Australian dive cruise 3, 4 or 7 day liveaboard to the Coral Sea. Perhaps you just want to take a day dive from Port Douglas, Cairns or Airlie Beach. Keen for a bit of sailing. You can combine sailing and scuba diving with a 3 day liveaboard sail/dive cruise in the Whitsunday Islands. Finally, with The Scuba Centre, there is the celebrated HMAS Brisbane wreck dive rated among the world’s top wreck dives and available to all certified divers in current practice. For more information and bookings contact us at http://www.scubacentre.com.au or phone (61)07 49461067

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Telephone: 07 4946 6848
Email: oceanrafting@airlie.net.au
Website: www.oceanrafting.com.au

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Located in the Whitsunday Region of Queensland, Airlie Beach hosts an endless string of activities, views and tropical climates. The beautiful, friendly and relaxed location is one of the departure destinations for the Great Barrier Reef and offers an array of tours while maintaining a natural environment and exquisite lifestyle. Why not try one of the many activities and packages Airlie Beach has to offer?

Things To Do in Airlie Beach

Hamilton Island
Nestled among the 74 Whitsunday Islands, Hamilton Island offers an experience like no other. In this quintessential aquatic wonderland, you can revel in the very best of everything that is great about Australia: glorious warm weather, azure waters, brilliant white beaches, awe-inspiring coral reefs, fascinating flora and fauna, 20km of bushwalking trails, fine food and wines, laid back luxury, unpretentious service, and activities almost too numerous to mention. Offering a selection of getaways including a romantic trip, a golf adventure, or a sailing stay, Hamilton Island has something for everyone!

Lindeman Island
Every member of the family will find something fun to enjoy at Lindeman Island situated off the Northeastern coast of Australia in the beautiful Whitsundays. The combination of sports, outdoor beauty, and fresh air will leave you feeling energized and invigorated. For those who want to be pampered, there is a chance to indulge in the Award winning Club Med Spa Village offering a comprehensive range of rejuvenating beauty treatments.

Student and Backpacker Packages
Take advantage of the lowered prices for Backpackers and Students. Daytrips and excursions are perfect for a trip to Airlie Beach and include a variety of fun activities for you to enjoy. Packages include accommodation, a trip of your choice (including snorkelling, catamaran trips and Great Barrier Reef adventures) as well as morning and afternoon tea.

Reef Island Sail
The Reef Island Sail is a must-do when visiting Airlie Beach. Check out the fun-filled itinerary.
Day One – Great Barrier Reef
Depart Abel Point Marina at 8:00am. Cruise aboard “Seaflight” and enjoy four hours on the pontoon located in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef. Snorkel the coral fields, see the marine life in the glass bottom boat (without getting wet!) or simply catch some rays on one of the many sunbeds available. Activities such as scuba diving or a scenic helicopter flight can be purchased as an extra activity during your time on the Great Barrier Reef. Arrive at Long Island Resort around 6pm to enjoy your first night of accommodation and leisure.
Day Two – Famous Long Island
Do as much or as little as you like on Long Island! Spanning 9 kilometres in length, the resort precinct is currently owned and operated by Ocean Hotels since 1994 (previous owners include Contiki Holidays and the Mountney family). Explore one of the many hiking trails around the island, enjoy a cocktail at the pool bar, make use of the water sports facilities or simply spend the day lounging on the beach.
Day Three – Camira Sailing Adventure & Whitehaven Beach
Depart Long Island at 7:25am to board Camira (Aboriginal name for “of the wind.”) Sail the Whitsunday Islands with the wind in your hair on this magnificent 85ft sailing catamaran, snorkel, and visit the spectacular Whitehaven Beach. Included is an all Australian BBQ lunch, morning and afternoon tea, a full set of snorkel equipment and complimentary beer and wine after 11:00am. Returns to Abel Point Marina at approximately 5:45pm.

Big Fury
Get there before the crowds aboard one of the Whitsundays most exciting rides, Big Fury. It will take you to Coral Reef Sites in comfort and at a third of the travel time of some other boats. The first stop is the amazing Whitehaven Beach, where you can enjoy 2 hours of swimming, relaxing or strolling along the 7 kms of pure white silica sand. Includes morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea. Courtesy pick-up and drop off’s from local holiday accommodation.

Reefworld
Encounter the breath-taking Great Barrier Reef, bringing you face to face with the treasures of the underwater world. A high speed catamaran cruise gives you plenty of time to explore the reef, either snorkelling or by the glass hulled semi submersible or underwater viewing chamber.

Whitsunday Crocodile Safari
Nowhere else on the Queensland coast can you experience so much in one location. In Proserpine, you can cruise around in pristine crocodile country as well as tour through freshwater wetland habitat, melaleuca forest and a mangrove ecosystem.
Proserpine River Eco Tours is based in the Whitsundays and the tour is a unique nature experience, which offers you an exciting day trip into the realm of the saltwater crocodile.

Mantaray
Visit two of the Whitsundays most pristine locations – beautiful Whitehaven Beach and Mantaray Bay. Whitehaven Beach has an amazing 7km stretch of white silica sand and an amazing lookout at Hill Inlet, while Mantaray Bay encompasses a myriad of colourful corals and tropical fish. Scuba dive and snorkel in this fascinating marine wonderland, lie on the spacious sun-deck, swim in the aqua-blue waters or simply feel the sand between your toes. It’s yours to enjoy.

Packages available at www.airliebeach.com

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Discover Australia with Contiki with more than 25 trips lasting 3-25 days along the East Coast and in the Red Centre. There’s plenty of priceless adventure to be had, but you can get it at a fraction of the normal price with the latest Contiki last minute travel deals, available for a limited time only!

Last Minute Travel Deals: Beaches And Reefs

Want to see the Whitsundays? Check! Snorkel or Dive in the Great Barrier Reef? Check! Jet Ski? Check! Learn To Surf? Check! Go Bush Walking? Check! Tamdem Skydiving? Check!
Contiki Beaches and Reef’s Tour literally covers all of this and much more. With trips running from Cairns to Sydney and Sydney to Cairns it’s a great way to explore the East Coast of Australia and everything it has to offer.
Explore the beautiful beaches and colourful reefs of the east coast with 14 days from $2388.

Last Minute Travel Deals: The Sun Seeker

Relax beneath the Australian sun for 10 days from $1704. The Contiki Sun Seeker Tour takes you up the East Coast from Surfers Paradise to Cairns or Cairns to Surfers Paradise. This 10-day tour will not only take you to the best travel destinations on the East Coast but will show you the insider’s guide to coastal life in Aus.

Outback Adventure

Fancy something more inland? Head to Australia’s Red Centre and view Uluru during sunset with 11 days in the Outback from $1699. Trips start from Darwin to Alice Springs and reverse.

Book your Australian adventure with Contiki on 1300 188 635 or head to contiki.com.

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One of the most popular coastlines in the world, the East Coast of Australia has some un-missable stops. We’ve whittled all of them down to the following 10 East Coast destinations that you simply have to visit.

1. Byron Bay

With hippy traditions, a cliff-top lighthouse and a social scene that offers a wonderful way of life, Byron Bay is a must-do holiday destination for many East Coast travellers. From the surf beaches to the shopping, you can’t help but find your own piece of heaven in beautiful Byron.

2. Surfers Paradise

There are many paradise spots on the East Coast, but Surfers Paradise is one of the few to be called so. Needless to say, this Gold Coast suburb is a surfing hotspot, with breaks for everyone from the amateurish to the experienced, but it also boasts a great nightlife, shopping experiences and an emerging arts centre.

3. Noosa

A classic Australian region with waves lapping at beaches, kayaking, snorkelling and surfing, Noosa is all about the outdoors. Explore to your heart’s content in the Noosa Hinterland or relax on one of its many sublimes stretches of sand.

4. Brisbane

The Queensland state capital is Australia’s most cosmopolitan city, second to only Melbourne. Busy and booming, there’s a buzzing live music scene, a melting pot of cuisine and a coffee shop around every corner. With the Gold Coast to the south and the Sunshine Coast to the north, this city is just moments from endless adventure.

5. Fraser Island

The largest sand island in the world, a beach that runs for 75 miles and the Maheno Shipwreck rusting in the sand, there’s a lot to be said about World Heritage-listed Fraser Island. Whether you visit for the wild dingoes, the 4WD or the 100+ freshwater lakes, just make sure you visit.

6. Airlie Beach

The gateway to the creamy sands and blue waters of the Whitsunday Islands, Airlie Beach is a traveller’s haven with accommodation and bars aplenty from budget to luxury. Tourism plays a huge part in the town and offers an array of activities from sailing and snorkelling to wining and dining.

7. Magnetic Island

Mountainous, tropical and slightly intimidating,the enormous Magnetic Island on the north Queensland coast feels like stepping back in time. More than half of this island in protected national parkland consisting of rainforest, secluded beaches and wildlife.

8. Cairns

As the most northerly city on the East Coast, Cairns enjoys warm, tropical weather all year round. Nestled between ocean and rainforest with a vibrant culture, you can find yourself swinging from the trees of Cape Tribulation one day and taking a sail and snorkel trip the Great Barrier Reef the next.

9. Hervey Bay

The number one whale watching location on the East Coast is Hervey Bay, with an abundance of boat trips and viewing points to spot the migrating humpback whales between July and November. It’s also the primary departure point for Fraser Island.

10. Mission Beach

Skydiving on the beach, spotting crocodiles, white water rafting on the Tully River and coming face-to-face with the infamous Cassowary, Mission Beach is full of adventure. There are also opportunities to relax at the beachfront bars of Wongaling Beach, or let your mind wander at Bingil Bay.

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While Heron Reef has a resident population of around 4,000 turtles, you can spot Loggerhead and Green Turtles making their annual pilgrimage to Heron Island to breed on the shores between October and March. In September, the turtles flock to the island to mate and lay clutched of eggs, and the hatching happens from December.

You can spot this amazing natural occurrence by booking a stay on Heron Island. You can’t take day trips here, so guests are given five-star treatment without the price tag. To get to Heron Island, you can take a boat for $60 or seaplane for $338.

To find a turtle, you just have to walk along Heron Beach maybe one or two hours after high tide in the evening. Look for tracks in the sand to see where the turtles have come in from the ocean.

In order to not disturb the turtles, keep torches on a low impact, preferably 3-volt low-impact, and don’t use flash photography. Excessive movement can also disturb them, so when you see one, try and stay as still as possible. When you see a turtle, always walk behind her and don’t approach her as you may scare her off back into the ocean before she’s laid her eggs. Don’t crowd the turtle if she’s digging her nest – stay at least 10 metres away to let her get on with it in peace, and then watch her as she makes her way back into the ocean.

Book your stay on Heron Island and spot the turtles at www.heronisland.com

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A sanctuary in the northern tropics of Queensland, Heron Island is home to many different animals throughout the year. They are so popular, in fact, that it is one of the reasons why so many stay on the island. Here are just some of the creatures you can spot.

Turtles

Green and Loggerhead turtles nest on Heron Island, and between October and March, you can see the nesting and hatching experience with your own eyes. To not disturb the process, there are strict guidelines in place, including restricted the use of torches as to not confuse the hatchlings when they find their way to the ocean.

The best time of the day to spot turtles on Heron Beach is one or two hours after evening high tide. Keep an eye out for tracks in the sand. Of course, there’s also a high chance you will bump into an adult turtle while snorkelling in the surrounding waters – a must-do activity when visiting the island.

Rays

These peaceful, pancake-like swimmers can be found in the shallow waters around Heron Island. Most commonly sighted are Giant Shovel-nosed Rays, White-spotted Eagle Rays, Blue-spotted Fantail Rays, Cow-tail Rays, and Pink-whip Tail Rays.

Whales

The humpback whale migration between June and September can be witnessed from Heron Island, as they make their way to the warmer waters for winter. Look out for them from the island, or try and spot them during a diving trip.

Sharks

The most common sharks found on Heron Reef are the Blacktip and Whitetip Reef Sharks. They are harmless to humans, but should be watched from a distance and left undisturbed.

Birds

At the peak of breeding and nesting season, there are hundreds of thousands of birds on Heron Island. Resident birds include the Sacred Kingfisher, Eastern Reef Egret, and Buff Branded Rail, but the Black Noddy is one of the most popular breeding birds with between 70,000 and 120,000 on the island at one time.

Needless to say, Heron Island is a wildlife enthusiast’s paradise from high in the trees to under the ocean’s surface. If you want to experience Heron Island, there’s resort accommodation, amazing restaurants and breath-taking activities. With a no day-trippers rule, this is your chance to stay in paradise for a few days of sunbathing, snorkelling and wildlife spotting.

Visit www.heronisland.com

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A coral cay off the coast of Queensland, Heron Island is a breath-taking oasis of turquoise water and sandy shores. With a no-day-trip rule, here’s how best to make of your time with three days on Heron Island.

Day One: Arrival & Snorkel

You can get to Heron Island by boat or seaplane. Once your eyes meet the crystal clear waters that surround the island, you’ll be desperate to explore, so check in, chuck your bathing suit on and head out on a snorkel boat trip. The Half-Day Reef Snorkelling Tour introduces you to the kaleidoscope of colourful fish and coral of Heron and Wistari Reefs in the Great Barrier Reef.

Once back on the island, take the time to relax under the sun on the powder-like sand of the beach and dry off for dinner at Shearwater Restaurant. Providing healthy and indulgent dishes, it caters for every lucky Heron Island guest.

Day Two: Pool, Picnic, Turtles & Sunset Cruise

After your first night in your comfortable room on Heron Island, enjoy a morning dip in the deep resort swimming pool before a delicious breakfast on the veranda overlooking the flora and reef. Renowned for its nesting flipper friends, Heron Island runs guided turtle tours during high tide, which occurs morning and night, so you can choose a time that suits you. You can view nesting turtles on your own (there are guidelines to follow), but you have a stronger chance of seeing them with a trained naturalist guide.

For lunch, order a picnic hamper from Shearwater Restaurant and enjoy dining on the beach as the waves lap against the sand. If you want to explore the underwater world further, you can snorkel right off of the beach thanks to the island’s supreme location. In the evening, dress to the nines for the Sunset Wine and Cheese Cruise. With the best view of the sunset, you’re treatest to Australian wines and gourmet cheeses as day turns to night. Continue your night with drinks at Baillie’s Bar & Pandanus Lounge; fitted with two pool tables, an entertainment lounge, a cocktail bar and an outdoor terrace with a giant chess board, you can have a fine evening on your last night on Heron Island.

Day Three: Spa & Goodbyes

Even the most relaxing place on earth has a spa, just for that little extra indulgence, so spend your final morning with a treatment at Aqua Soul Spa. From facials to massage and wraps, you’ll feel like a whole new before you depart Heron Island.

Heron Island provides complimentary activities and those that require an additional fee. For all activities and the price list, visit www.heronisland.com/activities

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Sitting in the Great Barrier Reef just minutes from superior sites, snorkelling and diving are two of the best things to do on Heron Island. With an underwater world waiting to be discovered, you’d be mad not to.

The beautiful blue waters that surround the coral cay are brimming with marine life that is iconic to the Great Barrier Reef. Imagine hundreds of colourful fish, coral, turtles, manta rays and reef sharks and you get just a pinch of an idea of what to expect. With the reef starting as soon as you step foot off the shore, marine adventures are available to all experience levels, from diving down to 25 metres to snorkelling in the shallow reefs. In the peak of summer (January and February), water temperatures reach a balmy 30 degrees and baby turtles that have hatched on the beach make their way to the ocean (cute!).

Heron Island provide snorkelling and diving equipment and trips to make it super easy for anyone to get out into the ocean. Beach snorkelling is included in the price of your booking, and particularly ideal for first-timers in Shark Bay or the Gantry. To get further out, three daily snorkel trips provide snorkelling on Heron and Wistari Reefs at $50pp. With more than 20 dive sites, you can learn to dive in a Discover Scuba Diving class at $199pp, which includes one supervised dive with a qualified instructor. Follow Up Dives can be booked at $160pp, and you can even complete a PADI Open Water Dive Course for $525pp.

Heron Island provides half-day, full-day and night dives, and snorkelling boat trips at 9am, 11am and 2.30pm.

Book your stay on Heron Island to go snorkelling, diving, and more.

www.heronisland.com

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If you want to get the overall experience on Heron Island, you can choose a holiday package, tailor-made to suit different guests, whether you’re a wildlife enthusiast or taking a romantic break with your partner. Here are some of the packages you can choose for an amazing time on Heron Island in the Great Barrier Reef.

Turtle Season Holiday – $160pp per night

Book this package if you want to experience one of nature’s greatest journeys as Green and Loggerhead turtles nest on the beach and the hatchlings make their way to the ocean’s water. Only available between October and March, this three-night Turtle Season Holiday includes accommodation, a daily breakfast, one snorkel boat trip, 24 hours free Wi-Fi and a turtle gift ornament for $160pp per night.

3-Night Romance Package – $1,300

Prepare to be pampered as you relax, wine and dine with your beloved in the tropics of Heron Island. Enjoy chocolate-dipped strawberries upon arrival, a sunset cruise, one-hour spa treatment at Aqua Soul Spa (for one), a snorkel trip, one lunch and one dinner, daily breakfast, accommodation and boat transfers from Gladstone to Heron Island.

5 Night Diver’s Delight – $410pp

If you’re staying for at least five nights on Heron Island and want to make the most of being in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, you can add on a dive package for just $410pp. With more than 20 dive sites within mere minutes of the island, you get six dives plus one complimentary with tanks, air, weights and boat travel to the dive sites included. Guests must answer a medical questionnaire and provide proof of Dive Certification, and those with a certificate that haven’t dived within 12 months must complete a Refresher Course.

Make your stay on Heron Island in the Great Barrier Reef even more incredible with these packages.

www.heronisland.com

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The underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef not only attracts us sun seekers, but an abundance of wildlife. There are so many memorable experiences to be had in the gorgeous blue waters, but visitors should be sure to tick off The Great Eight.

Just like the Big Five of Africa, The Great Eight are the marine animals and experiences that you don’t want to miss in the world’s largest coral reef system.

The great eight heroes are:

Turtles and their hatchlings
Reef Sharks
Manta Rays
Gropers
Clown Fish
Maori Wrasse
Humpback Whales (during migration season)
The Reef 4 Ways – walk it at low tide, snorkel, semi-submarine, and dive

And you can see and do them all from the stunning surroundings of Heron Island.

From October – March every year, turtles nest on the beach on Heron Island, and after 60 days under the golden sands, the hatchlings make their way to the surface for the dramatic journey to the ocean. Now is the perfect time to stay on Heron Island. With a no day-trippers rule, you can enjoy luxury resort accommodation, a swimming pool, restaurants, and island activities including snorkelling, beach picnics, sunset cruises, and turtle spotting.

Tick off The Great Eight and book your stay on Heron Island…

Visit www.heronisland.com
Phone 1300 863 248

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A stay on Heron Island off the Queensland coast is without a doubt one of the most precious experiences in Australia. Sitting in the glorious waters of the Great Barrier Reef, home to an abundance of marine and wildlife, and a no-day-trippers rule mean that this beautiful coral cay is an unspoilt paradise. Don’t believe us? Tempt yourself with the pictures below, but be warned – you may just find yourself booking your stay on Heron Island…

Surrounded by coral reefs and blue ocean, Heron Island is only accessible by boat or seaplane.

There are coral reefs just metres off the shore…

…which make for incredibly easy snorkelling.

But those with more experience can enjoy a deeper dive…

…where you may find yourself bumping into one of these guys.

Heron Island is one of the few places on Earth where you can watch turtles lay their eggs…

…and then watch the babies come out of their shells…

…and make their dramatic dash into the ocean.

Other activities include a ride in a semi-submarine, fishing, kayaking and sunset cruises…

…as well as being pampered in the Aqua Soul Spa…

…or simply soaking up the surroundings of the resort.

All of this and more is available with a stay on Heron Island. Book yours now to relax, unwind and watch the turtles hatching from December to March.

Book Now
Visit www.heronisland.com
Call 1300 731 551

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Book the Turtle Season Holiday package on Heron Island for three or more nights and have your whole trip planned for you so you can relax and witness one of nature’s greatest journeys.

Included in your Turtle Season Holiday is accommodation, daily breakfast, one snorkel trip, free Wi-Fi on one device, and a special turtle gift to help you remember your time on Heron Island. If you book a suite, you also receive complimentary return boat transport for two adults.

The Turtle Season Holiday is priced from $160pppn based on twin share and is available between September and March.

Other Heron Island packages are the Bed & Breakfast Package, Romance Package, and 5-Night Diver’s Delight.

Book Now
Visit www.heronisland.com
Call 1300 731 551

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With 74 islands on the Great Barrier Reef, there are so many incredible things to do in the Whitsundays. Making the most of such an extraordinary location, here’s what you can get up to when you experience it with Awesome Whitsundays.

Sailing

You can see more of the Whitsundays by jumping on a catamaran and sailing around the islands. On a full day of sailing on board Awesome Whitsundays’ Camira – one of the world’s fastest commercial sailing catamarans – you can enjoy swimming, snorkelling, exploring beaches and bays, and an all-you-can-eat BBQ lunch. A highlight is a visit to Whitehaven Beach, one of the most famous in the whole of Australia with gloriously white silica sand.
From $150pp

Island Hopping

There’s no way you could visit all 74 islands in one day, but you can experience a few of these island gems with a full day hopping from one to another with Awesome Whitsundays. Travelling at leisure, your island hopper pass lets you cruise to Airlie Beach, Daydream Island and Hamilton Island as you please. Just keep an eye on the boat schedule and enjoy the delights that each has to offer, including the Living Reef on Daydream Island and go kart racing on Hamilton Island!
From $105pp

Explore The Great Barrier Reef

Cruise through the Whitsundays to a floating pontoon to spend a day in outer Great Barrier Reef. This underwater wonderland is a must-visit in the Whitsundays with its abundance of colourful coral and tropical marine life. With Awesome Whitsundays, you can choose to snorkel, dive (at an extra cost), or take a journey on the semi-sub – so you can see the residents of the Great Barrier Reef without getting wet! During the day, you’ll enjoy morning and afternoon tea and an all-you-can-eat buffet to keep your strength up for more snorkelling!
From $169pp

Reefsleep

Ever slept on the beautiful blue waters of the largest coral reef in the world? If you want to, you can book Reefsleep, the overnight experience on the Great Barrier Reef that includes sleeping on a floating pontoon under the night sky! Spend the day snorkelling with tropical fish, sunbathing on the pontoon and munching on a buffet lunch, then enjoy the sunset and go night diving (at an extra cost) before you settle down for a good night’s sleep. Wake early the next morning for breakfast and another day snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef!
From $369pp

If you want to do more than one of these activities, Awesome Whitsundays provide packages from three to five days so you can have a proper holiday in the Whitsundays.

Get more information and book!
www.awesomewhitsundays.com

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Are you looking for the ultimate snorkelling adventure on the Whitsunday Islands? Then look no further than the Northern Exposure Tour…

With Ocean Rafting, you can see some of Whitsunday Island’s best bits, but also are able to spend a large amount of time snorkelling and swimming with thousands of vibrant fish.

In addition to this, but you are able to visit the Whitehaven Becah and Hill Inlet. Ocean Rafting is the only tour to have direct access to Hill Inlet Beach at Whitehaven Beach, so you’ll be lucky enough to observe the rare estuarine stingrays and ghost crabs in their completely natural habitat.

There is no better or convenient way to truly enjoy the best snorkelling destinations in the Whitsundays than with Ocean Rafting, with visits including Mantaray Bay and Maureens Cove!

If beaches are more your thing, then not to fear, there is also a Southern Lights tour available for all you beach lovers.

On this you can visit both ends of Whitehaven Beach, lapping up the sunshine for approximately two hours and relaxing at the southern end of the 7km stretch of Whitehaven Beach. There is also a guided bushwalk to spectacular Hill Inlet Lookout to photograph of the stunning swirling silica sands.

Book your trip of a lifetime at the Whitsundays now at oceanrafting.com.au

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The Whitsunday Islands in Australia are total paradise. With 74 islands, there are plenty of places and areas to explore. But how do you get the most of your experience at Whitsundays?

With so many islands that have sandy coastlines and tropical trees, it may be hard to narrow the best ones down.

So here are a few ideas on how to make the most of your time at the Whitsundays…

Island Hop

There are so many places to choose from, but if you only have one day then why not purchase a day pass with Awesome Whitsundays. With this you can cover three islands in just one day, and these islands will definitely win over your heart. Visit Airlie Beach, a lively little resort town that is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Here you can shop, drink and eat until your heart is content. The day pass will also take you to Daydream Island, an amazing paradise which is inhibited by the Daydream Island Resort and Spa. Stay here for as long as you like with swimming, watersports and the amazing manmade reef to explore. Finally, Hamilton Island will be your other destination island of the day. A palm tree paradise, you can spend your time here sunbathing on the pristine white beaches, and explore a kaleidoscope of coral and marine life.

Sail Around The Islands

If you’d rather see more islands, but from the ocean, then sailing if a must. Board a catamaran and sailing around the islands is the perfect way to spend a day exploring. If you sail with Awesome Whitsundays then you can sail around the islands with opportunities to swim, snorkel, and explore beautiful white sandy beaches and bays. Not only this, but you get a bonus visit to Whitehaven Beach, which is an absolutely stunning sight. Its crystal clear aqua waters and silica sand stretch over seven kilometres, and it is known as one of the most famous places in Australia.

Watersports

Whitsunday is known for its fun watersports and activities. You can take part in watersports on many of the islands, however one of the most popular places to enjoy watersports is on Hamilton Island. Here you can take an adrenaline packed thrill ride around the island by riding on Jet Ryders, built especially for the tropical waters of the Whitsundays. Sport fishing and speed boats are also available for all you thrill seekers, however if you’d rather see the tranquil, emerald ocean from above then why not try out some parasailing? Here you will float above the seas with an amazing bird’s eye view.

Explore The Great Barrier Reef

Spend the day swimming, snorkelling and swimming with vibrant and colourful fish in the Great Barrier Reef. This magical underwater world is full of bright coral and tropical sea life, it is one of the most popular places in Australia to snorkel. With Awesome Whitsundays, you can cruise through the Whitsundays to a floating pontoon to spend a day here. At an extra cost, you can also go diving or if you’re not into getting in the water yourself you can take a journey on a semi-sub.

Plan your Awesome Whitsundays holiday now at awesomewhitsundays.com

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Truly something else, Whitehaven Beach is the star of Ocean Rafting in the Whitsundays.

Ocean Rafting have provided tours of Whitehaven Beach since 1997, and as an award-winning, eco-certified tour company, can take you to protected areas, unspoilt snorkel sites and beauty spots that others can’t.

Each tour includes an exhilarating ride to the world-famous Whitehaven Beach on board a super fast semi rigid inflatable vessel. When visiting this beautiful stretch of sand, you can also enjoy exclusive access to Hill Inlet Beach on the northern end of Whitehaven, which is absolutely stunning with the white sand and blue hues blending and swirling together, and where you can observe rare estuarine stingrays and ghost crabs in their natural habitat.

With two tours to choose from, those that want to spend as long as possible on Whitehaven Beach should opt for the Southern Lights tour, which provides more beach time including two hours of relaxation at the southern end of the 7km beach. As well as a visit to Whitehaven Beach, you get some time to snorkel for over an hour at Border Island or Dumbell Island to experience the fringing reefs.

Anyone that would prefer to enjoy more snorkelling time should choose the Northern Exposure tour. With slightly less time on Whitehaven Beach, this tour visits pristine sites such as Mantaray Bay and Maureens Cove located around Hook Island. At these sites, you can expect to see an amazing example of our blue planet, with turtles, sea stars, crustaceans, fish and even humpback whales during migration season from June to October.

Both Southern Lights and Northern Exposure offer entry into some of the most breathtaking areas of the Whitsundays, only available with Ocean Rafting. For just $149pp, each passenger receives a buffet-style lunch, guided walks, snorkel lessons and courtesy coach pick-up.

Book your Ocean Rafting tour now. 

The post Experience Whitehaven Beach appeared first on BBM Live.

Dive straight into the heart of the Great Barrier Reef with a 3-day reef and Whitehaven adventure tour two of Australia’s icons with Awesome Whitsundays.

For 3 days, you can explore some of the most beautiful areas of Australia, including Airlie Beach, the Great Barrier Reef, and of course, the Whitsunday Islands.

With this Awesome Whitsundays package you can begin by exploring Airlie beach, topping up your tan by the luxury pool, the amazing lagoon or the stunning beach.

Airlie beach truly is a must see area, and is a town with plenty of bars, restaurants and shops. Although it is a little town, it is lively enough to keep you entertained!

The Whitsundays is right in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef. On this tour you will be lucky enough to board one of the modern and fast cruising vessels to explore and travel through the Whitsunday Islands and go snorkelling through thousands and thousands of vibrant fish. Enjoy your time here diving and swimming, before taking an amazingly scenic flight to the famous Heart Reef or just simply sunbathe and soak up the sun on the sundeck.

What better way to explore the Whitsundays than on an amazing sailing adventure through the islands?

The area is truly known as a sailors’ paradise, so help a crew hoist the sails, spend the day swimming, snorkelling and lapping up the thrill of sailing on board the ‘Camira’. With this Awesome Whitsundays package, you can stay at the gorgeous and lively town of Airlie Beach and immerse yourself in the vibrancy of the Whitsunday Islands.

Book your package now at awesomewhitsundays.com.au

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Delve into The Great Barrier Reef for a full day reef adventure.

Tour Operator: Awesome Whitsundays
Prices From:$235

With Awesome Whitsundays, you can have one of the best money-can-buy experiences whilst exploring this world wonder.

What will the experience involve?

Starting off with a cruise around the gorgeous Whitsundays National Park, which spans out into the Great Barrier Reef, you can see one of the world’s most stunning natural wonders up close. Labelled as one of the best sites for the Great Barrier Reef, Awesome Whitsundays have a perfect view of the reef from their large floating pontoon. Visitors to the reef can also explore the underwater world with its stunning corals and marine life.

Exploring The Reef

Awesome Whitsundays have a variety of ways for you to experience the glory of the Reef, some of which don’t even involve getting wet! If you’re not too keen on the idea of being underwater, make yourself comfortable in the underwater viewing chamber. Here, you can have a front row seat to see the tropical fish and corals and you can even watch the divers. If you want to explore a little bit more but still stay dry, try a semi-submersible ride.

The sub takes visitors on a cruise around the reef and is essentially what the divers will experience, you just wont get wet. You can also admire the surrounding reef whilst on the sun deck of the pontoon – very civilized!

If you want to get that killer view, you can take a helicopter ride around the reef too. The flight is an additional fee to your overall cost, but the experience is more than worth it.

For those who like to get stuck in, snorkelling is available all day on the Awesome Whitsundays Great Barrier Reef Adventures! This is an incredible way to explore the reef and see the marine life up close.

Similarly diving allows you to experience the Reef at even closer range. If diving is a new experience for you, plenty of staff members are around to provide lessons for both the certified and the new. Diving is an additional cost but is highly recommended when visiting the Great Barrier Reef.

What Else Is Included?

The cruise is all-inclusive, so visitors won’t have to worry about constantly pulling out their wallets. Long days out can build up a good appetite, so morning and afternoon tea is included, plus a delicious all-you-can-eat buffet lunch. Snorkelling equipment, rides and access to the viewing chamber are also included.

Highlights Of The Trip…

• A unique diving experience with all of your gear included

• Diving lessons for all levels

• Commentary on semi-submersible rides

• Sun decks to top up your tan and look at the incredible Great Barrier Reef

• Free use of wetsuits for snorkelling

• Beautiful photography taken by specialist photographers

Prices for this incredible experience start from $235 per person with the additional fees for extra activities. Included in your cruise fare is a per head fee which goes to the Government. The money collected is used to manage and protect the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

To find out more about this incredible Great Barrier Reef adventure, head over to awesomewhitsundays.com to find out more.

View the full tour details here
Email the tour operator
Telephone Enquiries: +617 4846 7000

The post Explore The Underwater World Of The Great Barrier Reef appeared first on BBM Live.

Calm, tranquil and idyllic, the Whitsunday Island are world-famous for their pristine beaches and the bustling marine life that surround them, but do you know there’s a little more to them than meets the eye?

With Ocean Rafting you can experience the “wild side” of the Whitsundays as they take you to locations that not every tour company can. With their special permits to enter the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Ocean Rafting are the only tour company who have direct access to stunning and iconic Hill Inlet beach on their Whitehaven Beach tours, which includes access to special snorkel sites at Hook Island and Border Island ensuring a memorable underwater experience.

During your time in the Whitsunday Islands you can also explore the many uninhabited islands as you step off your vessel on to the white sound, only to be almost deafened by the silence of being a million miles away from it all. Whilst exploring the islands you’ll really feel like a cast away, where you live out your desert island fantasies.

A must do activity whilst visiting the Whitsunday Islands is of course, snorkelling. With an abundance of marine life found no where else on earth, you’d be a fool not to take a dip below the surface and marvel at the kaleidoscope of coral and fish in their natural habitat.

To experience all this and more, log on to www.oceanrafting.com.au

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