http://www.forrestrace.com/green-iridescent/
How do I see the Great Barrier Reef?
The Great Barrier Reef stretches for over 1500 km (1000 miles), along the tropical Queensland coast, from Rockhampton in the south to the tip of Cape York Peninsular in the far north. It is not continuous, as the name suggests, but is made up of hundreds of individual reefs. Some are tens of kilometres across. Others are much smaller.
The reefs are living. They are built by coral animals that secrete hard shells about their soft bodies. The small creatures crowd together to form colonies and it is these that we think of when we talk about “coral”. Break a piece of dead coral and you will see the small tubes where the coral animals once lived.
The corals come in a variety of shapes and colours and are home to a huge variety of iridescent fish, giant clams, conga eels, starfish, turtles, giant manta rays and other creatures … a veritable wonderland.
You can visit the Reef as a scuba diver, snorkeller or someone who is happy to sit in a glass-bottom boat. The most southerly point is Great Keppel Island near Rockhampton. As you go northward, you will find boats taking people out from McKay, Airlie Beach, Townsville, Mission Beach, Cairns, Port Douglas and other places.
Where is the best point to see the Reef?
As a divemaster, I was often asked that question. People expected me to say Cairns or some other top tourist spot. The answer is not that simple since it depends on what you want to see.
If you are vaguely interested in the Reef and don’t want to spend a lot of time or money then I would recommend a trip to one of the inshore reefs or inshore islands such as Great Keppel or Green Island (off Cairns). You won’t see the Reef at its most spectacular and the water will not be as clear as further out to sea. Nevertheless, you will experience some nice coral. I rank Keppel and Green Island as good value for money.
Water clarity is important. The sea is muddy inshore and crystal clear further out. This is glaringly apparent if you fly along the coast and take a look downwards. The transition from murky to acceptable varies with the weather. In my experience, you are fairly safe if you go at least 20 nautical miles (40km) offshore.
Suppose you are a snorkeller and want to get into nice clear water. In your place, I would ask two things of the tourist boats competing for my money. Firstly, I would want to know how far out to sea they were going to take me. Some of the reefs off Cairns and Airlie Beach are too close inshore for clear water, by my reckoning. Secondly, I would want to know about safety provisions. There have been horrific tales of poor swimmers left to their own devices. A good operator will provide buoyancy jackets and put out lines to prevent swimmers from being swept away by the currents.
As a diver, my most memorable experiences have been on reefs at the far outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef at the continental drop-off. To reach them you need to go on an extended tour of several days. Looking at a map of Australia, it is easy to underestimate distance. The outer edge of the Reef is about 150 km (90 miles) offshore in many places.An extended tour, calling at reefs on the way, would cover at least three times that distance.
I’ve made repeat trips to memorable places only to be disappointed. The Reef is a living thing. It’s like a garden. Some parts are spectacular one year and dull the next. By the same token, parts that have been degraded, by storms, starfish infestations or some other cause, can come good again.
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority is responsible for the protection of the Reef, which has World Heritage status. The Authority’s headquarters are in Townsville where it operates an impressive visitors centre featuring a large aquarium and other displays.
For more: http://mikestales.wordpress.com
About the Author
I either started off on the wrong foot or I’m the legendry rolling stone. Normally, a degree in astrophysics does not lead to a stint in Parliament House, public relations, backpacker resorts and the diving industry. But that’s what happened to me. I’m now retired in the sense that I no longer need to work for a living and that gives me a lot of time for travelling and writing.
My web pages:
http://shadymike.wordpress.com
http://mikestales.wordpress.com
Sovalli Bottle Green Iridescent Glass Mosaic Tile
|
|
Grape Wine Charms – set of 6 Clear Iridescent $16.00 Hand Beaded Grape Wine Charms – Clear Iridescent Glass Beads – Set of 6 Coming in a Organza Drawstring Bag – Excellent Over the Neck of a Bottle of Wine to Personalize Your Gift. Ideal for Wedding and Shower Favors. Made in USA… |
|
|
Wilton Iridescent Green Tree Pan $4.95 WILTON-The perfect holiday party pan-this bright colorful tree is as much fun for serving party treats as it is for baking a great cake! Designed for quick easy cake decorating. Also ideal for crisped rice cereal treats molded gelatin bread dough and more. One-mix pan is 14Hx10Wx2D. Made of aluminum…. |
|
|
Elegant Iridescent Sage Green Faceted Beaded Napkin Rings with Ribbon Accent- Set of 4 $6.99 Elegant Sage Green Iridescent Faceted Beaded Napkin Rings with Ribbon Accent- Set of 4… |
|
|
Rarest of the Rare, Vol. 9: At the Drive-In $14.99 27 selections, mostly from the late 50s & early 60s, three of them previously unreleased and many making their first appearance on CD. Song list: DON ANGELO & GROUP: I’m Sorry Dear/ My Love For You/ TOMMY BEDWELL & GROUP: I Met An Angel/ THE BOBOLINKS: I Promise/ LUCKY CLARK: Two Kinds Of People/ DANETTA & THE STARLETS: Impressions/ THE DARTS: Green For Go/ THE DEL-LOS: Lullabye Serenade/ DANEAL D… |
|
|
Zippo Spectrum Pocket Lighter $13.54 Zippo’s newest Spectrum finish shimmers with rainbow highlights. The kaleidoscope of colors varies on every lighter making each one unique.ATTRIBUTES Finish/Material: Spectrum Fuel: Lighter Fluid Special Features: Windproof… |
|
|
L’Oreal Paris HiP Studio Secrets Professional Concentrated Shadow Duos, 0.08 Ounce Buy L’Oreal Eye Shadows – L’Oreal HIP High Intensity Pigments Concentrated Shadow Duo 218 Spirited. How-to-Use: Apply evenly to eyelids with provided brush or your own eye shadow brush. Accent with complementing colors and eyeliner…. |
|
|
Yonka Prolongateur de Bronzage After Sun Lotion Tan Prolonger – Face and Body After Sun Skin Care Moisturizers Buy Yonka After Sun – Yonka Prolongateur de Bronzage After Sun Lotion Tan Prolonger – Face and Body 150ml/5oz. How-to-Use: Apply every day until you achieve the desired level of tan…. |
|
|
Yves Creations Florals and Bouquets – Green Iridescent Digitalis – Coffee Gift Baskets – Coffee Gift Basket $44.99 Green Iridescent Digitalis Coffee Gift Basket is measuring 9x9x4. Contains 15oz mug, BONUS free set of 4 coasters, biscotti and 5 blends of gourmet coffee. French Vanilla, Kenya AA, Decaf Colombian Supremo, Chocolate and Italian Roast Espresso elegantly presented in our signature black planet coffee gift box. A very nice and thoughtful gift for any occasion…. |
|
|
Florene Contemporary Abstract – Blue Green Pink Iridescent – Coffee Gift Baskets – Coffee Gift Basket $44.99 Blue Green Pink Iridescent Coffee Gift Basket is measuring 9x9x4. Contains 15oz mug, BONUS free set of 4 coasters, biscotti and 5 blends of gourmet coffee. French Vanilla, Kenya AA, Decaf Colombian Supremo, Chocolate and Italian Roast Espresso elegantly presented in our signature black planet coffee gift box. A very nice and thoughtful gift for any occasion…. |
|
|
Incipio iPhone 4/4S EDGE PRO Hard Shell Slider Case – 1 Pack – Carrying Case – Retail Packaging – Iridescent Green/Matte Black $29.99 Focusing on accessibility and innovation, the EDGE PRO features a convenient two-part sliding design. Simply remove the bottom cap to dock your iPhone 4 4S in most any docking station for quick and easy charging…. |