The Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area (GBRWHA) is 347 800 square kilometres in area which is an area bigger than the United Kingdom, Holland and Switzerland put together. It extends from the top of Cape York to just north of Fraser Island, and from the low water mark on the Queensland coast seaward to the outer boundary of the Marine Park beyond the edge of the continental shelf. It is the largest World Heritage Area and marine protected area in the world.

The Great Barrier Reef stretches for more than 2000km along the Queensland coastline and covers about 35 million hectares. The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef in the world and is home to an an enormous variety of marine wildlife which includes more than 1500 species of tropical fish in a kaleidoscope of colours, 4000 species of molluscs, 400 species of sponge and 300 species of hard corals.

Wide ranging beds of seagrass provide a home for the strange looking dugong, a mammal listed internationally as endangered. The Great Barrier Reef also contains nesting grounds of major significance for the green and loggerhead turtles, both of which are endangered. It is also a breeding area for humpback whales. These migrate from the Antarctic to the Great Barrier Reef  and give birth to their young in the much warmer waters.

Many bird species are also supported by the islands of the reef and these include ospreys, reef herons, frigate birds and sea eagles. Many archaeological sites give the reef cultural importance as it contains sites of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander origin. Notable examples including Lizard and Hinchinbrook Islands with their spectacular galleries of rock paintings.

The many diving and snorkelling opportunities offered here provide visitors with the best way of getting close to the Great Barrier Reef's many wonders. Mant tour operators offer professional accredited dive courses, introductory reef dives and for the experienced, extended dive charters incorporating night dives or guided ecology dives. If diving deep into this deep underworld is not your preference there are semi-submersible craft, glass bottom boats and a variety of land-based reef attractions. Those wishing to stay overnight on one of the reef's 600 continental islands can choose from options including camping in a National Parks to luxurious lodges.

Hinchinbrook Island is the largest National Park island in Australia. The award-winning, environmentally friendly Hinchinbrook Island Resort at Cape Richards is the only part of the island which is inhabited. It is a haven for flora, fauna, beaches fringed with palm trees, mangrove waterways and rocky crags of granite.
If you are looking for peace and tranquillity, Hinchinbrook Island is the ideal place to relax and unwind.

Hinchinbrook is also a bushwalker's paradise as there is wildlife in abundance as a jagged chain of mountains forms the backbone of the Island. There are rainforests of milky pine, palm figs, and vines and add to this more than 66 species of birds, 22 species of butterflies, 29 different mangroves and many varieties of fish and crustaceans and you begin to see why it is so popular.

The tropical islands of Queensland are more than just havens of tranquillity, relaxation and beauty as they also provide a diverse range of scenery, things to do. It’s just a question of choosing the right Queensland island to suit your own needs and tastes. Hinchinbrook Island Resort is one which blends into it’s own spectacular natural surroundings. Modern facilities and comforts help give you the opportunity to enjoy the casual and relaxed atmosphere with easy access to beautiful rainforests.

 

One of the best ways to explore the Great Barrier Reef's remote reefs,islands and bays is by taking a cruise with Captain Cook Cruises' aboard their ship the  MV Reef Endeavour. Discover the unique advantages of small ship cruising on a voyage that highlights the extraordinary. Walk along fringes of white sand and snorkel with tropical fish on the edge of the continental shelf. Listen to native birds call from high up in the rainforest, climb the same lookouts as the first explorers, see dolphins and whales at play in the shelter of the reef and discover Lizard Island's giant clam gardens close to the shore.

Another island located just off the Queensland coast halfway  between Townsville and Cairns is Bedarra Island  which is a part of the Family Group of Islands. Bedarra Island gives you unspoilt rainforests and white beaches, where the clear blue waters of the Coral Sea meet pristine white sand.

Australia's most select island is Bedarra which boasts a resort designed to blend in with the natural beauty of it’s surroundings and can accommodate just 32 guests at any one time. You can relax on Bedarra Island in total privacy and it is unlikely that you will encounter others as you explore the rainforests or just laze around on the beaches of Bedarra Island in almost total seclusion.

Bedarra is a private island retreat which provides many leisure activities which take advantage of the island’s natural setting and is positioned so close to the Great Barrier Reef that you could not be better placed to explore it.Guests can board a catamaran and take a trip to explore the wonders of the coral reefs for the day or you can charter your own yacht which are available and sail around the beautiful blue waters and visit Bedarra’s neighbours that include Dunk Island and Timana Island.

Other activities you might try are tennis, walking in the bush, snorkelling, fishing, paddle-skiing, catamaran sailing.After all this you might just want to take a massage which is also available. If you are into a bit of romance however, gourmet picnics are available. With your picnic you also get chilled champagne plus your own motorised boat  so you can escape to one of the many private beaches.

Dunk Island is the biggest of the Family Islands and to it’s first inhabitants was known as 'Coonanglebah'  which translates to ‘the Island of Peace and Plenty’.Dunk Island  is Australia's most beautiful rainforested island and is located a little over 100km south of Cairns. The majority of the island is National Park, with unique areas of  rainforests which, even to this day, remain untouched. Like many of the islands, Dunk Island is blessed with beaches of golden sand and beautiful turquoise blue seas and as soon as you set foot on it you will immeditely feel a sense that you are in a tropical paradise as you look across lush rainforests meeting up with a panorama of blue sky.

Dunk Island offers a huge variety of activities including rainforest walks allowing visitors to take in the stunning views from the top of Mt Kootaloo, guided jet ski tours around the island, snorkelling over coral, tennis, squash and parasailing plus there are also day trips available to the Great Barrier Reef, spa treatments, horse riding on the beach, and various types of fishing!

Magnetic Island is known as the island playground of Townsville and appears highly in the profile of the city. Magnetic Island is only about 25 minutes from Townsville city centre by fast cat ferry for which there is a regular service.
More than 60 percent of Magnetic Island is National Park with sheltered bays which are  easily accessible plus golden beaches. There is about 25 kilometres of walking tracks that  meander through the protected national parks. They are home to several varieties of eucalyptus, more than 2,000 koalas which roam freely and many different species of wildlife.

Accommodation on Magnetic Island is made up of self-contained apartments as well as backpacker hostels. There is a very large range of activities available including island boat trips, parasailing,motor bike tours (on a Harley Davison), numerous water sports, golf, diving expeditions and snorkelling,fishing, horse riding, and you can even hire a mini-moke.

Orpheus Island is a 12-kilometre long national park island made up of volcanic rocks which were formed around 280 million years ago. Orpheus Island is located off the North Queensland coast and is reached from the town of Ingham, 100 kilometres north of the city of Townsville.

Reefs, rocky escarpments, beaches and a variety of different types of vegetation add to the island's scenic value.
Orpheus Island offers the opportunity for snorkelling or scuba diving. Large coral bommies can be found in Little Pioneer Bay, Cattle Bay and around the Yank's Jetty area.
The island's only settlement is a research station that overlooks Hazard Bay. You can by a permit allowing you to camp on the island and there are camp grounds with facilities such as picnic tables, toilets and shelter sheds available. Three of the camps also offer gas barbecues. For the discerning traveller Orpheus Island also has an exclusive resort which has a limit of 42 guests that are serviced by attentive but low profile staff. Orpheus is a stylish first class retreat that offers both a premium service and total privacy.There are no telephones, televisions, clubs or day tourists and only children over the age of 15 are allowed here. All accommodations are located on the beachfront and are surrounded by green tropical gardens and are only a short walk from the superb award-winning restaurant. This open-air restaurant is set in a peaceful setting and has fabulous views over the ocean.Eating here is one of the high spots as you can indulge yoursef all day from breakfast through lunch and onto a gourmet dinner of seven courses which will include seafood and exotic dishes.

 

As with other islands and, not withstanding the peace and tranquillity of Orpheus Island Resort, activities are plentiful. You may want to take a picnic lunch on your own private beach and spend time snorkelling where you will see an amazing variety of tropical fish and coral. Or you can hire your own motorised boat for the day and visit the secluded bays of the island where you can participate in some scuba diving. However if you want to do nothing except chill out you can relax in a hammock by the beach. The choice is yours!You can access Orpheus Island either by seaplane from Townsville or by launch from Lucinda.