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Summary

Australia's Great Barrier Reef is the only living structure on Earth visible from the moon; at 348,700 square kilometers (238,899 square miles), it's bigger than the United Kingdom. It stretches over 2,000 kilometers (1,250 miles) and is home to some 1,500 kinds of fish, 400 species of corals, 4,000 kinds of clams and snails, and who knows how many sponges, worms, starfish, and sea urchins. In short, the Great Barrier Reef is the Eighth Wonder of the World.Frommer's Portable Australia's Great Barrier Reef gives you the lowdown on some of the best sites to snorkel and dive this magnificent piece of nature and tips on how to make the most of your experience. We tell you about the top dive and snorkel sites, as well as some remote beauties that are rarely explored by travelers. We walk you through everything from how to choose a gateway to the Reef to how to pick a dive course. We recommend the best boats for exploring the Reef, from day-trip vessels to dedicated live-aboard dive boats. We tell you about some of the wonderful creatures you will see (and the few scary ones to avoid!). We recommend places to stay, from inexpensive B&B's to glamorous Great Barrier Reef island resorts. And recognizing that even die-hard snorkelers and divers want to take a break from fishes once in a while, we cover the best stuff to do on dry land, such as taking a four-wheel drive safari into World Heritage-listed rain forest or visiting a to turtle rookery.

List of Maps
Introducing Australia's Great Barrier Reef
Back to School: Reef Teach
The Regions in Brief: Choosing a Gateway to the Reef
Which Great Barrier Reef Resort Is Right for You?
Picking a Boat: Day-Trip or Live-Aboard, Big or Small?
Tips for Divers & Snorkelers
Diving & Snorkeling Safety
Ouch! Reef Safety Warnings
Planning Your Trip: The Basics
Visitor Information
Useful Websites
Entry Requirements & Customs
Money
The Australian Dollar, the U.S. Dollar & the British Pound
What Things Cost in Cairns
When to Go
Health & Insurance
Tips for Travelers with Special Needs
Booking a Package or Escorted Tour
Flying to Australia
Getting Around Queensland
Fast Facts: Australia
Cairns
Essentials
Staying Connected
Diving & Snorkeling the Reef
Exploring the Islands
Other Things to See & Do In & Around Cairns
Where to Stay
Where to Dine
Cairns After Dark
Port Douglas, Daintree National Park & the Cape Tribulation Area
Essentials
Diving & Snorkeling the Reef
Exploring the Rainforest & Other Things to See & Do
Where to Stay
Where to Dine
The North Coast: Mission Beach, Townsville & the Islands
Mission Beach: The Cassowary Coast
Townsville & Magnetic Island
Orpheus Island
The Whitsunday Coast & Islands
Whitsunday Essentials
Diving & Snorkeling the Reef
Nighttime on the Reef
Exploring the Islands
Airlie Beach: Gateway to the Whitsundays
The Whitsunday Island Resorts
The Central Queensland Coast & the Southern Reef Islands
Rockhampton: Gateway to Great Keppel Island
Great Keppel Island
Gladstone: Gateway to Heron Island
Heron Island: Coral, More Coral, Turtles & Whales
Bundaberg: Gateway to Lady Elliot Island
Up Close & Personal with a Turtle
Lady Elliot Island
Fraser Island & The Sunshine Coast
Fraser Island: Eco-Adventures & Four-Wheel-Drive Fun
The Sunshine Coast
Index
General Index
Accommodations Index
Restaurant Index
Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.

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