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Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is the largest and most extensive reef system in the world - which stretches 1429 miles along the east coast of Australia and covers an area of more than 134,000 square miles. In the south, is the Great Barrier Reef about 185 miles from the mainland, while its northern end, continues Reef long distances up to 50 miles wide and is just 12 miles offshore at its nearest point. around 380 species of coral, 1500 species of fish, 4000 species of molluscs, 500 species of seaweed and six of seven of the world’s sea turtles can be found on the Great Barrier Reef.

Getting to the Great Barrier Reef:

There are a number of jump points for the Great Barrier Reef. Flights depart daily to Australia from the west coast of the USA - it is then a simple domestic connection to one of the Reef’s ports - the tropical cities of Cairns and Townsville on the north end of the Reef, Hamilton Island and Proserpine in the Whitsundays and the coastal cities of Bundaberg and Gladstone on Reef’s south end.

Best time of year to go:

There is no “poor” time of year to visit the Great Barrier Reef. Queensland’s warm water is perfect for year round diving, but the weather is usually best between August and January. Coral polyps are playing around October / November. Keep in mind that Queensland’s seasons are opposite of North America’s - summer is December to March and winter from June to August. Queensland is tropical year round, however, water and air temperatures are generally in the range of low 70 to mid 80s year round.

Best ways to dive the Great Barrier Reef:

Due to a slight depth and clear, calm waters, the Great Barrier Reef is ideal for both novice and experienced divers to explore. Coral Sea is relatively shallow dive with a maximum depth of about 60 meters. Reefs in the Coral Sea in the far north-east have a deeper dive sites, however, with a wall dropping to 300 feet.

Diving safari boats

One of the best way to explore the Great Barrier Reef on board a diving safari trips. These range 2-3 days, a week or longer and includes a luxury ship, boat diving research and small passenger vessels that visit some of the cliff’s most remote and exciting dive sites.

Island Dive Resorts

Several Great Barrier Reef islands offer excellent diving opportunities - some directly from the beach. Green Heron and Lady Elliot Islands are coral cays with excellent diving right straight from the beach. Lizard Island in the far north and offers excellent fringe reef is located near several top dive sites, including the famous’ “Cod Hole”- one of the cliff’s best-known sites. Many of the Whitsunday islands is a short boat ride off the cliff, some’s best dive sites. Island resorts also have a wide range of activities for non-divers.

Day boats

Diving boats and food beginners and experienced divers, snorkelers as well as making trips out to the reef. Most spend about 4-5 hours on a cliff and offers the possibility of up to two dives.

When it comes to under the ocean’s surface, a particular part of Australia’s marine heritage stands out above all others, the Great Barrier Reef and here is the best place to find your choice of cruises from Australia. Rated as Australia’s, and one of the world’s diving destinations, the Great Barrier Reef should be at the top destination to visit for every true fans of diving.

Stretches over 2,000 kilometers from north to Lizard Island to Great Palm Island in the south, the Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest system of coral reef and the only such structure, consisting of living organisms actually visible from space.

The main attractions are the dizzying array of marine life it supports, many of whom are believed to be endemic to the Great Barrier Reef showing the best diving in Australia.

One of the specific attractions of the reef is that’s fertile ground for 6 species of turtle, attracted by the varied menu of seagrass. The Olive Ridley, marine, leather back, green, and the Flatback turtle caretta are often spotted at various sites on the reef.

The reef is also a veritable playground for dolphins, whales and porpoises, including humpback whales, minke whales and Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins. About 30 species have been recorded on the Great Barrier Reef. Dugongs are commonly found.

Of the reef sharks are not lacking, with 125 recorded species of sharks, stingrays or chimera lurking on the reef or sandy bottoms, at home among the rocks that have infinite choice morsels.

More than 400 species of soft and hard corals strangle the region. The annual mass spawning occurs when the inner reef corals spawn within a week after the October full moon and the outer reef to do the same in November and December.

Clams, giant clams, nudibranchs, cone snails, pipefish and seahorses, all have numerous species hidden among the coral’S nooks and crannies, providing color and life on the reef is too big to ever to study in full one life.

Coral Harbor Great Barrier Reef more than 1500 species of fish, including clownfish, red throat emperor, red bass, several species of Snapper and Coral Trout, lionfish, stonefish, and much more.

In a demonstration of marine biodiversity, marine crocodiles even have a connection to the reef. Fortunately, they are limited to marshes and mangroves on the coast near the reef.

Lake Bennett is an artificial freshwater lake, which is located in the Northern Territory of Australia and the nearest large city is Darwin, which is located about 87 km. Surrounded by unspoiled tropical nature, the lake is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, bird watchers, canoeists, hikers and photographers.

The Arrival

The arrival date is from Darwin on the Stuart Highway and then across the Chinne Road to the lake. Schedule roughly 2 hours drive with good road conditions from Darwin.

Accommodation at Lake Bennett

Lake Bennett Wilderness Resort is located in the shores of Lake Bennett  , a small motel, where you can really feel peaceful harmony and let your soul relaxing. The resort is surrounded by beautiful bush scenery and the rooms offer a spectacular view over the lake. A special feature for travelers from Germany: The chef is of German descent, and is thrilled conversations in his native language.

Landmarks in the vicinity of Lake Bennett

The Light Field National Park is located about half an hour’s drive from Lake Bennett. It is possible to book on the Lake Bennett Wilderness Resort a tour in the Light Field National Park. But it’s also fun to go independently with a picnic basket on a hike through the park. Bathing under the waterfalls, or in the nature stone pool are special kind experiences.

There are a number of other parks in the Northern Territories. But should be specifically mentioned as a destination for even the Kakadu National Park. Here you will find the largest collection of Aboriginal rock paintings, the original inhabitants of Australia.

In the vicinity of Darwin, there are unique sightseeing which is called the Manton Dam. It was built in 1942 as the first water body to Darwin. Today the lake is one of the most popular recreational areas of the inhabitants of this region. Some passages are blocked, but still so as not to jeopardize the drinking water quality.

The best time to go

The best time to go are between June to September; however April, May and October, also offer even passable weather. From November to March are rainy season, not a good idea to stay around Lake Bennett.

Fauna and Flora

Lake Bennett is homeland of over 50 different species of birds, including famous names like Azure Kingfisher, Blue Winged Kookaburra, Sacred Kingfisher and Rainbow Bee Eater. The area around Lake Bennett, the Light Field and Kakadu National Park are impressive. Especially in the Kakadu National Park, where some rare plants found nowhere else in the world. Eagles can be observed here and of course, ostriches, the large ratites of Australia. On the waters you will find a variety of types of water lilies and cormorants, and crocodiles are not uncommon. Especially attractive are the cute Bennett wallaby, a species of kangaroos.