Island resorts on the Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is the place where you can find some fantastic island resorts. As most people would know, the Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef system in the world. it is also the worlds largest living organism. It stretches along the Queensland coast in Norhtern Australia from approximatly latitude 25 degrees south, through to latitude 10 degree south. The Great Barrier Reef consists of thousands of smaller reefs and bommies that form and almost complete chain over this entire distance.
Along the length of the Great Barrier Reef you will find a number of fabulous Queensland island resorts. Some of these are situated on coral cays, right on the reef itself and some are on continental islands lying between the mainland and the reef.In southern parts there are two important islands. These are both dive resorts and are both coral cays. Lady Elliot Island is the southern most island on the reef and is also the one that caters more for the budget end of the market. The other is Heron Island which has a beautiful four star resort. Heron Island also operates Wilson Island which caters to only a few guests at any one time and is as close to a Robinson Crusoe experience as you will find anywhere in the world.
The Whitsunday Islands, although not specifically on the Great Barrier Reef all have fringing reefs and some of the best resorts in the country. You can fly in direct to Hamilton Island and share some memorable luxury accommodation or you could try one of Australia's favourites like Hayman Island, Daydream Island or Brampton Island. Further north in Queensland islands like Lizard Island and Green Island both provide the opportunity to explore the reef from the resort itself, while Dunk Island, Bedarra Island and Orpheus Island are similar to the Whitsunday Island resorts in that they have access to coral reefs around the resorts but are located inshore from the main part of the Great Barrier reef itself. Even if the island resort you are thinking about is not located on the Great Barrier Reef, there will always be day tours available to take you there and let you experience diving or snorkeling on the outer reef.
Australia's Great Barrier Reef is one of the icons of the local tourist scene and something that every international tourist should experience as part of their Australian holiday.
