Cycling from Sydney to Townsville and snorkeling around the Great Barrier Reef.

Taking a boat trip out for the day to the Great Barrier Reef is a must when visiting the north eastern coast.
The Reef itself is 2000 km in length and starts slightly south of the "Tropic of Capricorn" and ends in "Torres Strait", just south of Papua, New Guinea. It is not only the most extensive reef system in the world, but also the biggest structure made by living organisms. At its southern end the reef is up to 300 km from the mainland, while at the northern end it runs nearer the coast. Most of the reef is about two million years old, but there are sections dating back 18 million years.
The best way of seeing the reef is by diving or snorkeling. Otherwise you can view it through the floor of glass-bottom boats or the windows of semi-submersibles, or descend below the ocean surface inside "underwater observatories".
You can also see a living coral reef and its accompanying life forms without leaving dry land, at the Great Barrier Reef Wonderland aquarium in Townsville. All in all, it is an experience not to be turned down when you're touring this coastal area.


		Taking a boat trip out for the day to the Great Barrier Reef is a must when visiting the north eastern coast. The Reef itself is 2000 km in length and starts slightly south of the "Tropic of Capricorn" and ends in "Torres Strait", just south of Papua, New Guinea. It is not only the most extensive reef system in the world, but also the biggest structure made by living organisms. At its southern end the reef is up to 300 km from the mainland, while at the northern end it runs nearer the coast. Most of the reef is about two million years old, but there are sections dating back 18 million years. The best way of seeing the reef is by diving or snorkeling. Otherwise you can view it through the floor of glass-bottom boats or the windows of semi-submersibles, or descend below the ocean surface inside "underwater observatories". You can also see a living coral reef and its accompanying life forms without leaving dry land, at the Great Barrier Reef Wonderland aquarium in Townsville. All in all, it is an experience not to be turned down when you're touring this coastal area.

Snorkeling in and around the upper regions of the reef is superb fun.

	Diving down to the deeper, murkier regions starts becoming rather eerie, especially when the light fades to almost pitch darkness leaving you wondering what might be lurking in the next opening just in front of you. Regardless of what your fantasy may want to make you believe, it is well worth the effort indeed!
The many species of fish hardly even take notice of you as you swim past.
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