Great Barrier
Reef Fitzroy Island Beaches
It is possible to observe the Great
Barrier Reef without even getting wet.
We’re serious, not even your feet! Fitzroy Island is 45 minutes from
Cairns on the Fitzroy Fast Cat.
With rainforest, beaches and calm
sheltered water. There’s even
an ocean trampoline, for $5 per
person, you can spend the entire
day somersaulting into crystal clear
water. Well obviously! This is Queensland.
But did you know for every well-
frequented seaside haunt, there’s
another far quieter beach to be
found? Mudjimba Beach is a hidden
golden nugget just across from
Maroochydore River. This oasis of
calm offers a wide open beach and
is patrolled, in parts, by lifeguards.
It’s quiet but also safe.
Townsville’s Reef HQ Great Barrier
Reef Aquarium is all about helping
dedicated land-lovers stay high and
dry. This is the world’s largest living
coral reef aquarium and you can
easily spend an entire day exploring
its exhibits.
Based in Port Douglas and Cairns
in Tropical North Queensland,
Quicksilver is Australia’s most
awarded reef cruise company. They
offer two cruises, both suitable
for toddlers through to teenagers,
onboard their speedy, high-end
catamarans.
Explore Agincourt Reef, famed for
its unique reefs known as ‘ribbons’.
With an underwater observatory,
semi-submersibles, snorkelling
platforms and specially designed
introductory dive areas.
Take full advantage of this watery
oasis and go snorkelling, diving
and kayaking. There are endless
places to hire gear and convenient
snorkelling locations right off the
beach, while the glass-bottom boat
tours are perfect for children not so
keen on getting wet.
Visit beaches only accessible by
kayak with a guided sea kayaking
tour, or visit the island’s turtle
rehabilitation centre; a world-class
facility for sick and injured turtles.
Educational tours are held every
day at 1pm (except Fridays) and we
recommend you book in advance.
Shelly Beach on Caloundra’s
coastline is scattered with rock
pools bursting with sea cucumbers,
barnacles and periwinkles; perfect
if your children are fascinated by
marine life.
Off-the-beaten track, Alexandria
Bay is a long 1.2 kilometre open
bay, with golden sand and very few
beach goers. It is however, a nudist
beach, and although you probably
won’t see many people (let alone
naked ones) parents and prudes be
aware!
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