Things to do — Great Barrier

Activities on the Great Barrier Reef organise around water, islands and surrounding rainforest.

Outer Reef day excursion (from Cairns or Port Douglas, the essential experience): morning departure by fast catamaran (2h round-trip), 2-3 snorkelling/diving sites on the outer reef (Norman Reef, Hastings Reef, Saxon Reef from Cairns; Agincourt Reef, Opal Reef from Port Douglas), buffet lunch on board, late afternoon return. Prices: AUD 180-280/person snorkelling, AUD 280-380 with bottle diving. Operators: Quicksilver (luxury reference), Reef Magic, Passions of Paradise, Reef Experience.

Bottle diving (PADI, SSI, CMAS recognised): the Great Barrier is one of the world's largest dive spots. Headline sites: Cod Hole at Lizard Island (giant groupers, legendary dive), Ribbon Reefs to the north, Hardy Reef at the Whitsundays. For serious divers, liveaboard cruise to Coral Sea Reefs (Osprey Reef in particular) over 4-7 days offers the best experience: AUD 2,000-4,000/person, grey reef sharks, manta rays, 40+ m visibility.

Snorkelling from islands: Green Island (from Cairns, 30 min by catamaran, full day AUD 95-130), Fitzroy Island (45 min, AUD 80-110), Hamilton Island (Whitsundays, Catseye Bay beach accessible snorkelling). Hamilton Island and Daydream Island are bases to explore the Whitsundays — ferry included in packages.

Whitsundays sailing cruise (signature Whitsundays experience): 2-3 days by catamaran or sailboat, snorkelling at Whitehaven Beach, navigation between the 74 islands, observation of rays, reef sharks and turtles. Prices: AUD 400-800/person all-inclusive in shared cabin. Operators: Cruise Whitsundays, Sailing Whitsundays. Hayman Island and One&Only Hayman are ultra-premium resorts (AUD 1,500-3,000/night).

Heart Reef by seaplane or helicopter (from Hamilton Island or Airlie Beach): naturally heart-shaped coral formation, visible only from the air. Panoramic flight 30-60 min, AUD 200-400/person, dream photographic experience.

Cape Tribulation and Daintree Rainforest (from Port Douglas, 1h30): world's oldest rainforest (180 M years), where forest meets coral reef (unique geographic situation). Guided excursion AUD 150-250/person including Daintree River crossing by ferry, canopy hike (Mossman Gorge with Kuku Yalanji Aboriginal guide), possible cassowary observation (giant flightless bird). Cape Tribulation bears the name given by James Cook 1770 (the Endeavour ran aground there). White sand beach bordered by rainforest.

Humpback whale watching (July-September, from Cairns, Port Douglas, Hervey Bay slightly south): excursion AUD 150-250/person, observation of migration to tropical waters.

Walk on Cairns Esplanade: urban waterfront with free saltwater pool (lagoon) (sea swimming prohibited in Cairns due to crocodiles and jellyfish), boardwalk, night markets, restaurants.

Atherton Tablelands (1h west of Cairns, cool mountain plateau): waterfalls (Millaa Millaa Falls, Josephine Falls), historic villages, coffee and macadamia nut plantations.