Hamilton Island, Queensland - The largest structure in the world is made of coral: The Great Barrier Reef off the Coast of the Australian state of Queensland is more than 2,300 kilometres long and consists of over 2,900 individual reefs, about 1,000 islands and countless sand bars. The part of the reef that is above sea level is about 347,000 square kilometres. The fish and plants that live in the reef also are abundant ands include around 5,000 species of mollusks, 1,500 fish and sponges, 800 starfish, 500 classes of kelp, along with manatee and whales.
The most famous resident of the reef is the orange and white clown fish, which live throughout the reef. The clown fish gained in popularity when it was featured in the 2003 film Finding Nemo, a children's movie in which the main characters are clown fish.
It would be impossible to explore the entire reef on a single vacation. Thus, a tour that just hits the highlights is recommended. That would include the Whitsunday island group, which were named by Captain James Cook, who claimed the islands for Britain upon arriving there on Whit Sunday 1770, according to his ship's log.
There are 74 islands in the chain and only 17 of them are inhabited. The rest are reserved for native plants and animals. The best known are Hamilton Island, Hayman Island, Long Island and Lindeman Island, all of which are easily accessible to tourists. They include resorts and hotels that lure thousands of vacationers all year round.
Hence, the islands are no secret, but that would never be the case for a place where the sun shines almost every day, the sky is an unreal blue and where the air temperature climbs daily to 25 to 30 degrees, while the water remains a pleasant 25 degrees. Not to be overlooked are the large beaches, the variety of tropical plants and the underwater estuary, which is unique in the world. The Whitsundays are the South Sea islands of Australia.
A simple pair of diving goggles and a snorkel are all the equipment needed to abandon oneself to the delights of watching fish. Whales also can be seen, however, for people who make that their goal, a whale watching boat is recommended for trying to spot them on a deep sea dive. Many humpback whales can be seen around the Whitsundays from July to September.
Airlie Beach on the Australian mainland is an ideal spot for all tourists who want to explore the Islands and who don't want to arrive by plane. Ferries cross from Airlie Beach to the islands nearly every hour. Tourists arriving by jet begin at Hamilton Island, the island with the most hotels, bars and restaurants. Ships depart daily from Airlie Beach and Hamilton Island to the other islands where whale watching tours and deep sea diving excursions as well as sailing trips set out.
Whitehaven Beach offers several daily ship tours, each including kilometre-long beaches on uninhabited Whitsunday Island, the largest in the archipelago. The sand, as fine as powdered sugar, is 98 per cent quartz and crunches under foot like snow. It is considered the crown jewel of Australian beaches, reachable only by boat and with no charge to visit and no beach chair rental.
Diverse glossy magazines have described Whitehaven Beach as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, meaning lots of tourists are always present. Fortunately, it is six kilometres long, so there's always a quiet place available on the edge.
It's quieter on the other hotel islands. The top and most expensive address is Hayman Island, a private island resort that has been chosen more than once as the best hotel in the world. A long beach, two large pools, four first class restaurants and thousands of coco palms set the stage for a dream vacation.
Honeymooners and water sports enthusiasts, members of the Armani and Birkenstock set and mini kangaroos and cockatoo peacefully coexist on the island. The latter are similarly bothersome as pigeons in the Northern Hemisphere. There's a trace of casual at Club Med on Lindeman Island. This is the place to spend the day lying in a hammock, lounging at the pool or beach, playing golf at the nine-hole course or diving in the reef.
There's a greater sense of solitude on the isolated Peppers Palm Bay Resort on Long Island. There are about 21 luxurious bungalows aligned along the beach like pearls on a chain. A spa and a palm- lined pool invite guests to doze and enjoy.
More than any other type of tourist, newlyweds like to go to Peppers Palm Bay Resort and fly by helicopter to a tiny coral island in Great Barrier Reef called Heart Reef. The coral grew in the shape of a heart there, providing a perfect backdrop for couples to pledge their eternal love.
Internet: www.queensland-europe.com, www.whitsundaytourism.com, www.australia.com.
