Cairns and Great Barrier Reef Region …
… Australia's number one destination for Japanese.

WORLD HERITAGE GREAT BARRIER REEF

Nowhere else can visitors better experience the natural wonders of the world’s largest marine park than in the Cairns & Great Barrier Reef Region.

As Australia’s closest and easiest access point to the Great Barrier Reef, visitors can immerse themselves in this marine wonderland quicker to explore the 6,600 species of flora and fauna including 1,500 species of fish, 4,000 species of molluscs and 400 types of coral.

The ultimate is spending the day pampered in five-star luxury. From early morning, sleek cruise and dive vessels, catamarans and luxury sail boats travel to nearby coral islands and distant untamed reefs.

Spacious reef pontoons (some with twin levels!) feature underwater glass observatories and semi-submersible boats 2 metres below the surface. It’s easy to take photographs and videos of marine life as they drift past, while interpreters provide educational commentary. Guided snorkelling tours are complemented by knowledgeable marine biologists, and keen scuba divers are well catered for.

Many world-famous dive sites await dive enthusiasts, and dive trips are designed for all skill levels and budgets, including private luxury charter vessels equipped with 5-star chefs!

WORLD HERITAGE RAINFOREST

Nature’s glory is beautifully showcased in Australia’s tropical World Heritage-listed rainforests, a ‘living museum’ of flora and fauna that covers an area of nearly 900,000 hectares of rainforest and tropical vegetation, and were placed on the World Heritage List in 1988.

The towering forests are the oldest surviving rainforests on Earth at an estimated 135 million years. This ancient living museum nurtures plants still to be discovered and vast species of marsupials, reptiles, birds, and butterflies in a preserved area covering nearly 900,000 hectares.

Modern rainforest access tends to be via boardwalks for minimum disturbance and impact. Regional information centres, wildlife parks and interpretive attractions are excellent sources of information and booklets on the rainforest are available for those wishing to guide themselves, however visitors may learn from the experience of a tour with a qualified ranger or guide on one of the many rainforest tours available throughout the region.

AUSTRALIAN LIFESTYLE AND CULTURE

The Cairns & Great Barrier Reef region is Australia’s premier tropical escape combining some of the world’s most breathtaking scenery with a diverse range of activities that attracts more than 2 million domestic and international visitors each year.

The region’s environment is as unique as it is diverse – the reef, rainforest and outback.

Nowhere else on earth do two World Heritage listed sites sit side by side - The Great Barrier Reef and Australia’s Tropical Rainforests. These two areas are renowned for their scientific value and beauty and this region brings them to life better than anywhere else.

In sharp contrast to the aqua and green colours of the reef and rainforest coastline are the rustic ochres and open spaces of the Outback and Cape York Peninsula wilderness areas that are home to mythical geological and cultural wonders.

Other serene settings include the Cairns Highlands, a patchwork of farmlands, rainforest and lakes offering a cool rural retreat from the coast and the beachside hamlets that make up the Great Green Way. From Cairns serene beaches stretch along the coast including the popular boutique destinations of Palm Cove, Port Douglas,Cape Tribulation and Mission Beach and other quiet beach havens such as Trinity Beach and Yorkeys Knob while ten of the Great Barrier Reef’s premier islands sit atop the azure waters off the coast.

A range of attractions and festivities reflect the region’s cultural diversity and vitality. Nature parks provide visitors with education and the chance to meet our native friends, Aboriginal sites provide an insight to a fascinating past, and the region’s abundant social and cultural attractions all help to provide a great experience of the modern and ancient culture, unique wildlife, hospitality and ingenuity of this region.

The Cairns & Great Barrier Reef region is a place where adventure, relaxation and the tropical climate mingle to provide a perfect lifestyle. From beachside lazing, BBQs, golf, fishing, water sports to shopping and meeting up with locals, visitors can truly share the unique lifestyle. For the active there are choices from rainforest trekking to rafting, hot air ballooning and horse-riding to pursue. For those wishing to indulge, the region’s multi-award winning spas have already been acclaimed as the best in Australia and some of the best in the world. Delectable tropical cuisine beckons as an outstanding attraction in itself, whether served at one of the many award winning restaurants or as part of a gourmet tour.

The secret of the region is that way it offers a variety of experiences that mesh with the natural environment from an adrenalin rush, leisure pursuits, learning and teaching to discovering - a place where participation is encouraged.

Cairns & Great Barrier Reef region is only 7 hours from Japan with direct air services with Australian Airlines, Qantas, Continental Airlines and JAL from Fukuoka, Nagoya, Osaka, Tokyo and Sapporo. For more information visit www.tropicalaustralia.com.