These 3 Great Barrier Reef experiences show you a new side to the international icon
Itinerary
By Sarah Bristow
It seems that all you need to see the best of the Great Barrier Reef is three days. While the diverse underwater haven may stretch across the majority of Queensland, experiencing the World Heritage-listed wonder in a short time frame is possible, we promise. The best way to do so is with this three-day itinerary, merging train and reef in one long weekend.
Forgo the plane for something a little more extraordinary, jumping aboard the high-speed train which winds its way along the Queensland coastline - journey from Cairns to Gladstone aboard Queensland Rail’s Spirit of Queensland. It’s along the way that you can stop to enjoy the below three Great Barrier Reef experiences that will show you a new side to the international icon.
Day one: by sky
Photo by @gbrhelicopters
Depart the mainland, making your way over the aquamarine waters of the reef by scenic flight. Join GSL Aviation in Cairns for the Reef Hopper Tour, to board your personal seaplane before making a leisurely journey to the idyllic Green Island, a tiny coral cay 25 kilometres off the coast. Green Island is popular with day-trippers and it’s not hard to see why - there’s plenty to do on this sandy stretch, from snorkelling off the beach to wandering its unspoilt rainforests.
If you’ve chosen to make your way to the island by boat, you can instead depart with GBR Helicopters by chopper so as not to miss out on the Great Barrier Reef experience of a bird’s eye view of the icon. Upon your return back into Cairns, it’s time to grab your things and make yourself comfortable on the train while it makes the 600 kilometre trip south to the Whitsundays.
Day two: by sea
Photo by @cruisewhitsundays
Today you’ll glide your way across the region, by indulging in one of the Great Barrier Reef’s best experiences - sailing through the Whitsundays. You’ll begin of course on land - after arriving in Proserpine you’ll need to make your way to the coastal enclave of Airlie Beach. It’s from here that you’ll join the crew of Cruise Whitsundays and greet your home for the day, Camira, an 85ft bright lilac sailing catamaran.
One of the fastest commercial sailing catamarans in the world, the boat will take you on a whirlwind tour of the surrounding Whitsundays, sailing by Hill Inlet, and stopping for a break (and a sunbathe) on Australia’s best beach. Aside from the astounding natural beauty surrounding you, keep an eye out for locals like loggerhead turtles and stingrays, maybe even whales if you’re lucky.
You’ll find yourself back on shore in the afternoon. You’ll need to make haste for Proserpine station to catch the last leg of your train journey.
Day three: by flipper
Make way for your final destination of Gladstone. It’s here you’ll find yourself within arm’s reach of the Southern Great Barrier Reef, and the jewel in its crown Heron Island. Join the two-hour ferry ride from town central to the island which has long been considered a haven for the scuba-inclined. A gathering of more than 20 dive sites will greet you here, alongside some of the best water visibility on the entire reef.
See the reef in a day on your own accord - you should be able to enjoy up to three separate dives in a single 24-hour period. Or let the experts guide the way, joining a tour like the much-loved Great Barrier Reef Eco Tours, which departs from Gladstone’s neighbour, the Town of 1770.
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