Great Barrier Reef Vacation

A Great Barrier Reef vacation filled with romance could be just what you need. We had the opportunity to sail throughout this colossal playground, filled with gorgeous coral reefs, uncharted tiny atolls, and a host of colorful fish gandering at us. The Great Barrier Reef is truly an underwater jungle, and what more, you can get a part of that.

The Great Barrier Reef is now classified as the largest marine park in the world. And rightly so, it's simply gorgeous and full of life. Your Great Barrier Reef vacation must include exploring the underwater world. Don't worry if you've never snorkeled or scuba dived before, you can get some onsite training through one of the local dive shops. Therefore, before leaving home, bring along your snorkel gear. Of course you can purchase some equipment locally, but if you want to eliminate than hassles of shopping for gear, bring your own. A mask, snorkel and fins are really all you need, and they pack pretty well in your luggage.

Where to go? We Highly recommend Heron Island. It is truly a spectacular gem nestled in the Great Barrier Reef. I must admit, we've traveled extensively throughout the Great Barrier Reef and have yet to see a Great White Shark. The reef is famous for this shark but we've never encountered one. We've heard countless stories from the locals regarding shark encounters. Sometimes I wondered if they were really true or just a big "fish tale". Nevertheless, if you're concerned about sharks, talk with the locals before entering the waters. They'll help you.

If you're apprehensive about jumping into this underwater aquarium there's still plenty of romantic things for you do on Heron Island. Walking about the Island is superb and picturesque. You'll find and array of birds for Heron Island is known for its bird life with dense Pisonia forests. A walkabout is truly stunning. Feel free to engage in a guided reef walk too. You can freely explore the reef without going below.

Heron Island makes for a unique Great Barrier Reef vacation simply because it is remote. It's not difficult to get there, but it's hard enough so you won't see the "day tourist" traveling through. Vacationers who come to Heron Island, do so for a vacation, it's their destination. You can engage yourself in an array of reef activities or simply lounge about by the pool.

Getting to the Reef and finding the most suitable and affordable means of transportation is not that difficult. You can simply check the listings with our Resource Center listed above and/or our Travel Network. You'll also find a host of accommodations on Heron Island, like the Heron Beachside Suites. It's a little pricey but you're right on the beach and hey, what's a Great Barrier Reef vacation all about anyway? You may as well do it in style. You can also find other accommodations that are further inland, well within walking distance to the beach and they are very nice too. Check out the Beach House with the private boardwalk to the beach.

The largest city near Heron Island, for transportation purposes, is Gladstone. It's about a 6-hour drive north from Brisbane, or a 1½ flight. Once arriving in Gladstone you'll board a boat at the Gladstone Maria for a 3-hour boat ride to Heron Island. Onboard you pass through some beautiful, yet quaint reef waters. As you approach Heron Island you should notice how secluded you are, away from it all. Leaving Gladstone was like leaving civilization behind, yet not to worry because you'll have all the comforts of home on Heron Island without the "City", making a superb Great Barrier Reef vacation.

An added note, if you're not from Australia you'll appreciate this, but if you are from Australia you'll know it's true. Of all the places we've visited throughout the world, we've noticed Australia has more poisonous critters than any other place on the planet. Throughout our travels in Australia we've encountered dangerous spiders, a host of leaches, the untouchable "night stalker sea cucumber", dreadful snails and a host of other strange and weird creatures. Yet, despite all of the poisonous critters, they are safe if you use common sense. In other words, don't touch, just look. I don't mean to scare you from a Great Barrier Reef vacation but to use some wisdom as you engage in a romantic wonderland.

Get on with it, start your Great Barrier Reef vacation, put some romantic spice into your life.

Craig Dahl - The Romantic Travel Expert