One of the last unspoilt miracles on Earth
Lying between 15 and 60 miles off the Queensland Coast of Australia's north, the majesty of the Great Barrier Reef stretches out before you like a string of perfect pearls waiting to be discovered. One of the 7 great natural wonders of the world, UNESCO's World Heritage status Great Barrier Reef with its crystal clear waters and cobalt blue skies, has attracted explorers from around the world for hundreds of years. It is the largest system of coral reefs in the planet, and is one of the few structures built by living things that can be seen from outer space. The approximate 3,800 reefs stretch 2,300 kilometres from Cape York to Bundaberg covering an area of approximately 344,400 square kilometres. The current Great Barrier Reef started growing 20,000 years ago when sea levels rose over underlying reefs, and reached its current level around 3,000 years ago. In its' current size and shape the Great Barrier Reef therefore is comparatively very young at about 3,000 years old. The Great Barrier Reef is of recent evolution since the last ice age and its future is now challenged by global and local human impacts. It is superbly managed by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, a government body, which is recognised as a world leader in Coral Reef management.
Because of seasonal weather, the best months to enjoy your dream holiday are June through to October. Coincidentally...it is between mid-June to mid-September when the magnificent Humpback Whales can regularly be seen in the area, after their annual winter migration from Antarctica.
Idyllic weather conditions from June to October mean that you can enjoy magnificent sandy beaches and one beach is pure white sand over 5 kilometres long.
Most beaches are located at the head of native tree-lined bays offering smooth, calm anchorages no matter what winds prevail. Seventy of the islands are national parks, and many have trails to follow allowing exploration and appreciation of the natural flora and fauna. There are ancient Aboriginal sites to visit from the Traditional Owners Ngaro tribe who inhabited the area, and rock carvings to view dating from earlier than Captain Cook’s discovery of the area in 1770. The Ngaro were a seafaring Australian Aborigine group of people that inhabited the Whitsunday Islands and coastal regions of Queensland, in an area that archaeologically shows evidence of human habitation since 9000 BP (before present) Whitsunday Island formed the centre of Ngaro life, furnishing the only permanent area of habitation.The Ngaro were noted for their distinctive sewn three-piece canoes, crafted from ironbark and known as winta.
The area includes a rich diversity of coral reefs, and is home to a bewildering array of plants, animals and breathtaking scenery both above and below the water. In recognition of its outstanding universal value, the Great Barrier Reef was inscribed on the World Heritage List in October 1981.
Now it’s your turn to experience the amazing spell of the Great Barrier Reef far from the madding crowd on board the exclusive yacht Sydney Sundancer. You will have your own Master Reef Guide to guide you to THE very best snorkelling spots and even give you snorkelling lessons if you haven’t snorkelled before. Before you know it, you’ll be an absolute expert! You and just a few companions will have all the creature comforts you could ever want in perfect harmony with nature. Once you’ve experienced the majesty of the Great Barrier Reef yourself, you’ll see why we say it’s one of the last unspoilt miracles on earth.
Testimonials
“So many memories of our sailing, sunsets, surprises and dolphins keep flashing through my mind. For me it was a holiday of a lifetime and a real adventure on your beautiful Sydney Sundancer.”
Anne Pearsall – Australia
“Absolutely breathtaking! The areas we visited were surreal and opened our eyes to the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef. Thank you for your hospitality and outstanding knowledge of the area. We loved all of it! Well done John and Lynne!”
Melinda and John Cullen – Australia
“I’ll always remember this trip for the rest of my life, met four new friends for life and swimming with a manta ray was very special –John and Lynne were the best hosts and the snorkelling was out of this world!”
James Guiney- Sydney
“Sydney Sundancer” is real micro expedition ship built to conduct extended voyages to remote and remarkable locations. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (the government body that controls all activities within the Marine Reserve has granted “Sydney Sundancer” a Long Range Roving Permit enabling it to visit unique locations where most most other charter boats are not permitted. Lynne & John proudly advise that they specialise in conducting “Expedition voyages for discerning explorers who want to learn about the only living structure on Earth, that is visible from outer space!”