Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Picking Your Spot
There are many popular and remarkable spots from which to access the Reef but bear in
mind that individual areas change over time, depending on the weather or any recent dam-
age.
Mainland Gateways
There are several mainland gateways to the Reef, all offering slightly different experiences
or activities. Here's a brief overview, ordered from south to north.
Agnes Water & Town of 1770
are small towns and good choices if you want to escape the crowds. Tours head to Fitzroy
Reef Lagoon, one of the most pristine sections of the Reef, where visitor numbers are still limited. The lagoon is excellent
for snorkelling but also spectacular viewed from the boat.
Gladstone
is a slightly bigger town but still a relatively small gateway. It's an exceptional choice for avid divers and snor-
kellers, being the closest access point to the southern or Capricorn reef islands and innumerable cays, including Lady Elli-
ot Island.
Airlie Beach
is a small town with a full rack of sailing outfits. The big attraction here is spending two or more days
aboard a boat and seeing some of the Whitsunday Islands' fringing coral reefs. Whether you're a five- or no-star traveller,
there'll be a tour to match your budget.
Townsville
is a renowned gateway among divers. A four- or five-night live-aboard around the numerous islands and
pockets of the Reef is a great choice. In particular, Kelso Reef and the wreck of the SS
Yongala
are teeming with marine
life. There are also a couple of day-trip options on glass-bottomed boats.
Reef HQ
, which is basically a version of the
Reef in an aquarium, is also here.
Mission Beach
is closer to the Reef than any other gateway destination. This small, quiet town offers a few boat and
diving tours to sections of the outer reef. Although the choice isn't huge, neither are the crowds.
Cairns
is the main launching pad for Reef tours with a bewildering number of operators offering relatively inexpensive
day trips on large boats to intimate five-day luxury charters. The variety covers a wide section of the Reef, with some op-
erators going as far north as Lizard Island. Inexpensive tours are likely to travel to inner, less pristine reefs. Scenic flights
also operate out of Cairns.
Port Douglas
is a swanky resort town and a gateway to the Low Isles and Agincourt Reef, an outer ribbon reef featuring
crystal-clear water and stunning corals. Diving, snorkelling and cruising trips tend to be classier, pricier and less crowded
than in Cairns. You can also take a scenic flight from here.
Cooktown
is close to Lizard Island but the town and its tour operators shut down between November and May for the wet
season.
