Best Great Barrier Reef Vacation Packages

Where is the coral reef?

The Great Barrier Reef is located in the Coral Sea and runs almost parallel to the coast of Queensland on the eastern coast of Australia. Also along the Queensland coast are the hugely popular cities of Cairns, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Brisbane. Each one of these cities makes the perfect starting point for your Great Barrier Reef adventure.

Great Barrier Reef Tours from Cairns, for example, can be multiday tours that give you the chance to visit several locations such as the splendid reef, Daintree Rainforest (the oldest living forest in the world) and a day spent learning spear throwing and fish hunting from the welcoming Aboriginal people.

If you begin your Australia vacation in thrilling and picturesque Sydney, there are Great Barrier Reef Tours from Sydney that let you stop in many iconic locations such as captivating Uluru (Ayers Rock), engaging Alice Springs and cosmopolitan Melbourne.

Go snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef!

It's a diver's paradise! The Great Barrier Reef is made up of over 3,000 magnificent coral reefs with a spectacular display of more than 400 different types of coral and over 1,500 species of tropical fish. If you enjoy snorkeling then this is the most amazing snorkeling adventure you'll ever have!

Many visitors take a cruise from Cairns over the reef. Once there, you can go on guided snorkeling tours or venture out on your own to explore the reef. If you are new to snorkeling, no worries – join an introductory diving class to learn all the basics then head off to see all the wonders of the reef.

Aside from snorkeling, you also have the options of helmet diving to the ocean floor, or joining a glass bottom boat or semi-submersible tour of the reef.

The Islands of the Great Barrier Reef

Coral cays and hundreds of picture perfect islands are also a part the amazing Great Barrier Reef. These many gorgeous islands include:

• Fraser Island – You can easily see why this dazzling island is called "Paradise" in the local Aboriginal as you tour its gorgeous beaches and discover all the amazing wildlife it holds.

• Lady Elliot Island – Manta rays, dolphins and an absolutely scrumptious buffet lunch make your day on this island simply unforgettable.

• Green Island – With crystal clear waters and sparkling white sandy beaches, Green Island is a natural choice for lazing the day away.

Enjoy a Trip from Cairns or Brisbane

To visit the very best coral reef Australia (or any other country) has to offer, you can join a day trip from Cairns or book Great Barrier Reef tours from Brisbane, which feature stops at popular tourist attractions such as Hervey Bay, Airlie Beach and the Whitsunday Islands.

Relax as your tour company handles all the planning and you can relax and enjoy your vacation pretty much at your own pace! Many Australia tour packages arrange hotel accommodations, included stops and transportation options for you, even if you opt for the freedom and convenience of a self-guided tour.

Having your itinerary planned by tour experts who know the area so well is a real bonus! Whether it's a ride from beautiful Bagara to the Mon Repos Conservation Park to see nesting and hatching Logger Head turtles or a day spent exploring the wonders of Green Island.