I can\u2019t quite explain the feeling I got when I entered the sparkling, turquoise waters of the Great Barrier Reef. <\/p>\n
People kept saying the moment my eyes met the rainbow swirls of colour and the sculptural intricacy of the coral, I wouldn\u2019t ever forget. A feeling so intense, \u201cit can leave you forever changed\u201d.<\/p>\n
I thought they were exaggerating – they were not.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The Great Barrier Reef is the world\u2019s largest system of coral reefs, mangrove and estuarine environments, and what blew me away was its sheer scale – it covers an area of about 348,700km.<\/p>\n
It has a chain of coral reefs about 2300km long, skirting the continental shelf off the coast of Queensland and stretching from just south of the Tropic of Capricorn, towards the coastal waters of Papua New Guinea. <\/p>\n
It\u2019s been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981 and I\u2019m embarrassed to say, as an Aussie, I\u2019ve never visited this truly magical spot that\u2019s right on our doorstep.<\/p>\n
That all changed during a recent visit this year. <\/p>\n
For someone who has never snorkelled before, to have my first experience be on the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland\u2019s north, was truly unforgettable.<\/p>\n
I stayed at Crystalbrook Flynn in Cairns (overlooking the water) which is just a 10-minute walk to the Reef Fleet Terminal where we then hopped on the Reef Magic Cruises. <\/p>\n
The first thing I explained to staff was that I\u2019m not the greatest swimmer, nor had I snorkelled before.<\/p>\n
However, they were quick to reassure me, saying they cater to all swimming abilities and non-swimmers.<\/p>\n
I feared we would be jumping into the open ocean from the ferry but instead it was docked at their pontoon, which takes about 90 minutes to reach from the terminal. <\/p>\n
The pontoon gives people of all swimming abilities a chance to enter the water at their own pace by the steps provided – something I really appreciated. <\/p>\n
Snorkelling also takes place in a sheltered coral lagoon – another plus. <\/p>\n
Once we were decked out in our wetsuits and snorkel gear, it was time to see the magic underneath. <\/p>\n
I held onto the rails for about 10 minutes until I got used to breathing out of my mouth and was confident enough to let go. <\/p>\n
As I let the water slowly guide me, I couldn\u2019t quite comprehend the world beneath me \u2014 from all the colourful fish, many I\u2019ve never seen before, to the walls of coral. <\/p>\n
I was also lucky enough to see Wally the Giant Maori Wrasse, one of the famous fish of the Great Barrier Reef. He is about 140cm long and weighs about 60-70kg. And let\u2019s just say he\u2019s not shy. Wally swam pretty close to me, showing off his variations of green, purple, blue colours, and his humphead.<\/p>\n
I felt this sudden rush of serenity and peace. The world around me was unlike anything I had seen before. I was covered in goosebumps and didn\u2019t want to get out. <\/p>\n
I spent almost one hour snorkelling and when I got out the only reason was the cool drop in temperature. <\/p>\n
But, it was perfect timing because a delicious array of hot food had just been served. <\/p>\n
During this time, I had a quick chat to marine biologist Jemma Packwood who agreed that when people first lay eyes on the reef, it\u2019s an unforgettable moment. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been to this reef four days out of the week for the last two years and it\u2019s different every day,\u201d Ms Packwood told me.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery time you get in the water, you see something different – the colours are phenomenal, the fish life. It\u2019s absolutely unreal.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere we are at right now is called Moore Reef, it\u2019s a reef patch that\u2019s just one of about 2800 reef systems. So if you go North, you\u2019ve got Hastings Reef, Saxon Reef – there\u2019s so, so many. And each reef site is so different.\u201d<\/p>\n
She told me there\u2019s often a big misconception that the Great Barrier Reef is dying. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s under a lot of pressure and that\u2019s the best way to describe it. There\u2019s obviously climate change, which is a major pressure and you\u2019ve got things like the crown-of-thorn starfish, which are almost the second biggest disturbance to the Great Barrier Reef,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n
\u201cBut (the reef) is incredibly resilient, and that\u2019s what should be known as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
She said if people see it, they\u2019ll want to protect it.<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone has that natural connection and as soon as you see you want to protect it.\u201d<\/p>\n
I overheard many tourists on the boat asking how they can help do their part, so I put the question to Ms Packwood. <\/p>\n
She said the type of sunscreen you use is a big help, because sunscreens that aren\u2019t reef safe release pollutants into the water.<\/p>\n
\u201cReef safe sunscreens run through all the tests that aren\u2019t having an influence,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ve got to remember it\u2019s a whole ecosystem – people think of corals as a big, colourful rock, but they\u2019re an animal, they\u2019re made up of hundreds and hundreds of tiny little animals. \u201cSo they can be easily influenced by the pollutants that are going into the water. <\/p>\n
\u201cIf people can check their sunscreen before they come out, it\u2019s an easy way to protect the reef.\u201d<\/p>\n
After I finished up my chat with Ms Packwood, she convinced me to go check out the semi submersible and I am so glad I had enough time to do it. (The day excursion is about five hours).<\/p>\n
The sub tour took about half an hour and it\u2019s another great way to see the reef especially if you don\u2019t want to get in the water. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe pontoon\u2019s incredible because it\u2019s diverse in what it gives,\u201d she told me.\u2029<\/p>\n
\u201cIt allows people to come out and not only see the reef by snorkelling, diving, helmet diving, but it also allows access for those who don\u2019t want to get in the water. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ve got your glass bottom boat tours, semi sub tours, which is incredible – and these tours go further out, away from the lagoon area.\u201d<\/p>\n
Be sure to also check out Cairns Aquarium where you can get up close to the species and eco systems of Tropical North Queensland – it\u2019s also the country\u2019s newest aquarium. <\/p>\n
If you\u2019re staying at Crystalbrook Flynn (highly recommended), it\u2019s only a seven-minute walk.<\/p>\n
In terms of where to eat, the hotel has a great selection otherwise head over to <\/p>\n
CC\u2019s Bar & Grill at Crystalbrook Bailey (a five-minute walk) for the most incredible steak and Dundee\u2019s Restaurant On The Waterfront. It offers amazing seafood and stunning water views.<\/p>\n
My trip came as new data from Skyscanner reveals Tropical North Queensland is stepping up as the ultimate Winter Sun destination, with three in four Aussies planning a winter getaway closer to home. <\/p>\n
Cairns ranked among Skyscanner\u2019s top trending global destinations, placing Tropical North Queensland firmly in the spotlight. <\/p>\n
\u201cFrom reef island hopping and long seafood lunches to rainforest drives and beachside cocktails, Tropical North Queensland is offering many of the experiences travellers seek in Europe, without the jet lag, peak season crowds or rising international travel costs,\u201d Skyscanner travel expert Jarrod Kris said.<\/p>\n
This writer travelled to the Great Barrier Reef as a guest of Tourism and Events Queensland<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"I can\u2019t quite explain the feeling I got when I entered the sparkling, turquoise waters of the 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