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The Great Barrier Reef
WHY ENDANGERED? Fueled by warming oceans, coral reefs around the world are suffering drastically from a mass bleaching event. Nowhere is this destruction more evident than in the Great Barrier Reef. Almost a quarter of the reef ’s coral has died off, resulting in a situation so dire that scientists predict that, without a serious decrease in fossil fuel emissions, coral reefs could be extinct in less than 100 years. Climate change is playing the most devastating role, since the oceans heat up along with the environment. Prolonged high temperatures cause the coral to expel their symbiotic algae, turning them snow-white and before ultimately dying. Some research suggests that several of the corals may be able to adapt to their warmer habitat, but change needs to happen fast.
WHY SHOULD I GO? Covering more than 300,000 square kilometers and consisting of more than 3,000 reefs, 600 islands and 300 coral cays, the Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef ecosystem and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Each year almost 2 million visitors come to experience this wonderfully rich ecosystem. Diving and snorkeling are the preferred modes of exploration, but you can also sail, embark on a scenic flight, or just take it all in from the shore.
WHERE SHOULD I STAY? Angsana Located 15km north of Cairns, Angsana is a luxurious, romantic resort offering guests the choice of 67 Asiancolonial-style suites. Each suite comes fitted with wooden shutters, silk drapes and floor-to-ceiling glass doors that wonderfully open onto stunning tropical gardens. If you are looking to step up the luxury, the Angsana Suite has its own private terrace and pool. The resort also offers guests the chance to indulge in their spa, in the three saltwater swimming pools, or at their watersports centre. angsana.com 1 Veivers Road, Palm Cove, Cairns One&Only Hayman Island Nestled in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, One&Only Hayman has long been regarded as the area’s premier hotel. Guests arrive to this enchanted natural world by seaplane, helicopter, or yacht and the luxury merely begins there. Rooms are designed with muslin-draped beds, egg baths for two and
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fragrant body products. But, if you ever want to leave the room, the resort has a spa, fitness centre, a PADI school for diving, outdoor dining and 726 acres for you to explore. hayman.oneandonlyresorts.com Whitsunday Islands, Queensland Heron Island With the Great Barrier Reef right at the tips of its toes and 20 dive sites within minutes, Heron Island is a wonderful option for both divers and non-divers. The island has a turtle-breeding beach, copious amounts of bird life and no cell-phone reception — making it the ultimate relaxing destination. Rooms range from the Turtle Room, which is set amongst Pisona Forest, to the secluded Point Suites, which offer the perfect sunset watching location. You can also opt for a freestanding house, the Beach House, to ensure your stay feels like home. heronisland.com Near Gladstone, Queensland
HOW DO I GET THERE? As the reef is over 1,000 miles long, travelers can choose which island to go to. From Cairns International Airport and the Great Barrier Reef Airport (Hamilton), visitors can travel by scheduled boat, water taxi or seaplane.
WHAT SHOULD I KNOW BEFORE I GO? • While the islands around the Great Barrier Reef are always temperate, they do get warmer and wetter (especially from January through March) as you move north. • ‘Modern Australian’ food is a mix of Mediterranean, Asian and Californian cuisine. • Unless you’re a New Zealand resident, tourists entering Australia need to apply for a visa. U.S. passport holders traveling for tourism or business for less than 90 days can obtain an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) online for 20 AUD (roughly 15 USD). The ETA is electronically linked to your passport, which means once you arrive at the airport, you can scan your document and be good to go. • Boat rides to the outer reefs can be quite rocky. Make sure to pack some acupressure sea bands or Dramamine beforehand! • While there are 133 shark species that call the Great Barrier Reef home, most are non-threatening to humans. In fact, the main concerns come from box jellyfish and stingrays. ■