Do you like fish and other marine wildlife? Do you want to see something so large and beautiful it will make your jaw drop? If so, and you are traveling to the state of Queensland in Australia, you must visit the Great Barrier Reef.
Known as one of the seven natural wonders of the world, The Great Barrier Reef is the largest underwater coral reef system on the planet. Contrary to popular belief, the Great Barrier Reef is not just one giant piece of coral, but a system of almost 3,000 individual reefs and 1,000 small islands. It is over 1500 miles long and houses over 1000 different species of wildlife. It truly is an incredible sight!
One of the great features of the Great Barrier Reef is the diverse marine wildlife that calls this area home. From rare and colorful fish, to ancient sea turtles and various species of whales, the Great Barrier Reef is a great place to visit for someone who is interested in rare and endangered wildlife.
One of the best ways to actually see some of this wildlife is to go scuba diving. You can swim right up to some of the wildlife and get an up close look at some of the most rare species of fish and turtles on earth. If you have never taken scuba lessons or just don’t like swimming, don’t worry. You can go on a glass bottom boat, which gives a fantastic view from above, all while keeping you dry and safe.
Want to get a birds eye view of the Great Barrier Reef? No Problem! There are numerous companies that arrange helicopter tours over the reef and the surrounding area. Remember, you can see the Great Barrier Reef from outer space, so imagine what it looks like from just a few thousand feet above the water. I promise, it is like nothing you’ve ever seen!
It would be a huge mistake to take a trip to the Great Barrier Reef and not visit some of the surrounding islands and shorelines. Beautiful beaches filled with even more interesting species of wildlife (some exclusive to this area of the world) create a beautiful tropical setting for spending an afternoon wandering around or working on your tan.
If you are visiting the Queensland area of Australia, you must take the time to go visit the Great Barrier Reef and the surrounding islands and beaches. You won’t be sorry!