Thursday, November 3, 2011

Hamilton Island Getaways Whitsundays Queensland Australia

Hamilton Island Swimming Pool, WhitsundaysImage by kevgibbo via FlickrWelcome to my video blog post Hamilton Island Getaways Whitsundays Queensland Australia
!
If you have been following my blog then you just may be planning your very next vacation to the Whitsundays and the Great Barrier Reef!

The Whitsundays is probably one of the safest tropical Island vacations sites in the world as it resides in the country of Australia.
Unlike other tropical locations it is free from disease and parasites such as Malaria!
The best time to visit here would definitely have to be in the Australian winter.  Just remember to pack your sun cream and not to forget your swimmers!
qualia - Hamilton Island 2011


CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FULL ACCOMMODATION LIST ON HAMILTON ISLAND

Hamilton Island, Australia - Visit for a Great Vacation

So you have taken my advice and decided to vacation on Hamilton Island in the Great Barrier Reef, but first a little more information would be of great help.
First is getting there, with flights from all the major airports in Australia, it is easy to get to Hamilton Island, which has the only airport of the Whitsunday Islands.

For those who prefer, not to fly, they can take the Ferry from Shute Harbour, it only takes 30 minutes. Once on the island, getting around is easy as there is a free shuttle service, or hire a golf buggy.

On the island there is a variety of accommodations to suit everyone's pocket book, even a range of self- catering properties.
Guests can choose from a range of rooms and suites at the 4-star Reef View Hotel, among its amenities is a 35-metre swimming pool, restaurant and Lounge bar.
Then there is the Beach Club, a beachfront resort exclusively for adults, where all rooms have a private courtyard or balcony looking onto palm-fringed Catseye Beach and the Coral Sea.
Guests staying at either of these properties receive complimentary use of the island's gym, spa, sauna, tennis and squash courts, catamarans and other non-motorized equipment.

Palm Bungalows are designed for couples and families, with a limited budget, surrounded by lush tropical gardens they are near the island's main swimming pool and the shops and restaurants in the Marina Village.
Guests staying here have access to the "kids eat and stay free program". There are also holiday homes, for rent, scattered across the island, all with access to swimming pools and a complimentary 4-seater golf buggy.

 Photo right: A rainbow lorikeet in a Coral tree on the island!Rainbow Lorikeet in a Coral Tree, Hamilton IslandImage by GlobalCitizen01 via Flickr

For those seeking a more luxurious holiday there is "Qualia", on the island's secluded northern tip, offering 59 one bedroom windward and leeward secluded pavilions with private sundecks and infinity-edge plunge pools over looking the Coral Sea.
The 60th Pavilion is a 2-bedroom Beach House, with it's own guest quarters, private swimming pool, and a 10-person dining room. Guests staying at "Qualia" have exclusive use of Pebble Beach, complimentary kayaks, 2 Catamarans, 24-hour chauffeur service and daily ala-carte breakfast.

The gorgeous weather, azure waters, white sandy beaches and the Great Barrier Reef opens up incredible opportunities for a world of activities, both on the ocean and on land.
Snorkle and dive the translucent waters of the Coral Sea with clear visibility and dramatic coral canyons, just a short paddle from Catseye Beach.
Enjoy fishing trips in the abundant waters of the Great Barrier Reef; go jetboating, sail on a high-speed catamaran or get a thrill jet skiing or wakeboarding, behind a high powdered speed boat.

On land there is even more to do, go Off-road on a quad bike or go-kart, discover the island's pristine bushland with a walk on one of its many trails, all the time seeing the flora and fauna and wildlife native to this part of the world - white breasted sea eagles, wallabies, Peregrine Falcons, crested cockatoos and peacocks to mention just a few.

One of these many trails goes by Mangrove Flat, a perfect example of a healthy mangrove ecosystem, where a wide variety of birds and other marine life can be seen. The trails also allows for beautiful views and the opportunity to climb to the highest point, at Passage Peak, for spectacular views of the Whitsundays. The Trails are open from 6:30am to 5:30pm and no one should venture forth without a Trail Map, comfortable shoes and insect repellant.
 Catseye Beach Panorama, Hamilton Island, Great...Image by weberwithoneb via Flickr
 Photo right: Catseye Beach panorama, doesn't get much bluer than this, right?

For the less adventurous and those who prefer to meet the wildlife, but not in the wilds, there is the Animal Wildlife Park which houses, not only the creepy crawlies but the local koalas, kangaroos, birds and even a crocodile. The Park is open 7:30am to 5:30pm and has the unique distinction of being one of the few places you can "cuddle a Koala"

After all that exertion it is good to know there is a large choice of pools in which one can cool down and unwind, or if you are like me, you haven't moved from one of the clean white sandy beaches that can be found anywhere on the island.
View original article here!

If you want to see reviews, photo's and check a full range of accommodation on the Island then !click here now

I hope you enjoyed my video blog post Hamilton Island Getaways Whitsundays Queensland Australia and enjoyed the videos, photo’s and article.
If you are planning a vacation here and looking for a variety of accommodation options please click the link below to view today!
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Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Hamilton Island Family Holidays Visit the Whitsundays

Hamilton IslandImage by Craig Anderson via FlickrHamilton Island Family Holidays Visit the Whitsundays
The Whitsundays this just east of Airlie Beach and easily accessed by Ferry or light aircraft.  There are many scattered throughout the area and one of the most famous would have to be Hamilton Island!
Hamilton Island Holiday
Eva and Vlad's holidays at Hamilton Island and the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia - August 2009


CLICK HERE NOW TO VIEW THE HAMILTON ISLAND ACCOMMODATION LIST!

Visit Hamilton Island Australia

Now could be the perfect time to visit the Whitsunday Islands and Hamilton Island Australia in particular. The recent cyclone, Ului, that hit the northern coastline of Queensland around the Whitsundays has caused some bad publicity for the islands. It hit at the end of March (2010) causing a few of the Whitsunday Islands to be evacuated.
This has in fact put some tourists off visiting the islands, thinking that there might be some devastation.
In fact Cyclone Ului unleashed most of its fury before hitting the coast so most of the islands were unscathed.

This weekend also saw the end of day light saving hours, the official mark of the end of the summer and the approach of winter.
It is at this time of the year that Hamilton Island Australia and the other Whitsunday Islands are at their very best - less rain and lovely warm temperatures.

Hamilton Island Australia is the largest of the inhabited Islands and is loved by couples, families and even the youngsters. Unlike most of the other islands, it offers more than just one resort complex and has an array of things to keep even the fussiest person entertained.
It is perhaps for this reason that Hamilton Island remains one of the most popular of the Whitsunday Islands Australia.

5 Reasons to go to Hamilton Island Now
1) The Weather - May to October is a fabulous time of year to visit the Whitsundays - the weather is at its best - not too hot and less rain than the summer months.

2) There are a few bargains to be had due to the recent cyclone. Hamilton and the other islands need to let everyone know that all is well on the islands. Try Flight Centre for flight and accommodation packages or search on line. (Expedia)

3) The Choice of Accommodation - There is plenty to choose from on Hamilton Island Australia. The action tends to be around either the Marina or the Beach so I'd try to pick accommodation around either of these two areas. Try privately owned villas, usually managed through an agent, for a more affordable option or some of the larger hotels who may have rooms at excellent prices.

4) The wide range of activities - Of course you can dive and snorkel and go out to the Great Barrier Reef from here but there are also plenty of things on the island to keep you entertained. There is a Koala park, a gym, bush walking, lots of swimming pools to which you have access, enjoy cocktails at the lookout point at sunset - simply stunning.

5) Get away from everything- This really is an idyllic tropical island where you will feel away from it all. If you just want to relax and enjoy the sunshine, then this is also the place the for you
Hamilton Island Australia is a little piece of luxury. With direct flights from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, it's also one of the easiest tropical island getaways from Australia. What are you waiting for?
View Original article here

If you are searching for a list of hotels, resorts, and a broad range of accommodation then click here now!

I hope you enjoyed the article above Hamilton Island Family Holidays Visit the Whitsundays
This place is fantastic for a holiday for any reason whether it be with just the family or a romantic Getaway!
Actually any of Islands of the Whitsundays would be a great choice!  The advantage of Hamilton Island is that it’s not just a resort Island so there is plenty to do for everyone!
Happy Holidays
Marty
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Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Hamilton Island A Guide For Visitors

16th Hole Hamilton Island Golf ClubImage via WikipediaWelcome to my blog post "Hamilton Island A Guide For Visitors"
Please view the video and article below there really is some great information here and will definitely answer some of the questions you have been looking for!

Destination Golf - Hamilton Island Golf Club, Australia
Designed by Australian golfing legend and 5-time Open champion Peter Thomson, Hamilton Island Golf Club has some of the most beautiful surroundings of any golf course on the planet, with almost every hole having a panoramic view of the ocean. Located...



 CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR HAMILTON ISLAND HOLIDAY TODAY! 

Hamilton Island is a part of the Whitsunday Group and is one of the only islands that have locals residing there.
It really is a tropical paradise with a great variety of activities available and places to stay.
Below I have provided you with an article that I believe you will enjoy!
Read it through and who know maybe you will be on your way to this wonderful Island of the Whitsunday group!

photo right: Hill inlet another part of the Whitsundays
Hill inlet, Whitsunday Island, Queensland, Aus...Image via Wikipedia

Hamilton Island Visitor Guide

Hamilton Island, one of Queensland's beautiful Whitsunday Islands, is famous as an idyllic tropical destination with everything you could possibly need for an amazing holiday. Beautiful palm fringed beaches, clear blue water and breath-taking views are just the beginning.

As the most developed island in the Whitsundays group, it provides the visitor with the greatest choice of accommodation options and the widest selection of activities to enjoy. It even has an airport that receives daily flights from Sydney, Melbourne and other major Australian cities.


You can also get here quite easily by boat from Airlie Beach on the mainland, and from a number of the other Whitsunday Islands.
About the only thing Hamilton Island lacks is low budget accommodation. The resorts and apartment cater mainly to the three to four star market and camping is not permitted.

However if you are not on a tight budget, with a little research you will be able to find the perfect place to stay. One resort in particular that seems to be getting rave reviews from it's guests is qualia (that's right, no capital "q"), and a recent addition to your accommodation options on Hamilton Island are the luxurious Yacht Club Villas which will set you back in excess of $1000 per night.

There is plenty to do if you ever get bored lazing at the beach or by the pool. All the water based activities you would expect to find on a tropical island available to enjoy, including scuba diving, kayaking, sailing and windsurfing.
While some island resorts offer reasonable gym facilities, Hamilton Island has it's own dedicated and very well equipped Sports Club Gym for anyone wanting to stay in - or get into - great shape while away. 
There are also tennis and squash courts, and the neighbouring Dent Island is home to the 18 hole Hamilton Island Golf Club which was designed by golfing champion Peter Thomson.
View the original article here 
 HAMILTON ISLAND, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 06:  Den...Image by Getty Images via @daylife
I hope you enjoyed the above article Hamilton Island Visitors Guide.  As you can see from the article above it’s not exactly a place to go if you want a budget vacation, but it sure is a fantastic place to getaway!
If you do decide to go to visit the Great Barrier Reef and Hamilton Island I hope you have a great time!
Maybe I will even see you there!
Happy Holidays
Marty

PS: If you would like to view a whole range of hotels, resorts, hotels on Hamilton Island then click this link today Hamilton Island Accommodation View Here
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Monday, October 31, 2011

Perfect Condition for Coral Spawn on the Great Barrier Reef

A Barrier Reef Anemonefish (Amphiprion akindyn...Image via WikipediaPerfect Condition for Coral Spawn on the Great Barrier Reef!
Yes, November is the time of year, but will the conditions be just right?
Watch the video as Coral spawns on the GBR and check out the article below to find out more about this really cool event!

Blue Planet: Coral Sea: GBR - Coral Spawning



Coral phenomenon edges closer

The annual coral spawning on the Great Barrier Reef is set to occur in November as conditions become conducive to the natural phenomenon.

Conditions for spawning need to be just right; warm sea temperatures of 27 degrees Celsius, little tidal movement around three to six days after the November full moon, and after nightfall.

WATCH A VIDEO OF THE SPAWNING (above)

Poseidon's Peter Wright has been witnessing the spawning since the 1980s.

"It doesn't totally happen all in one night. It tends to happen on the inshore reefs a couple of nights beforehand and sometimes a whole month beforehand.

"A good indicator is Magnetic Island off Townsville. When that spawns you can be pretty sure (the reef in our area) will be soon after."

Mr Wright said the spawning will help the reef recover after natural disasters such as cyclones Larry and Yasi.

"It will help with the regeneration of damaged areas of the reef, providing those areas are clean of algae."

Marine biologists discovered the spawning process just 30 years ago, and this year predictions are being made that all will fall into place between 16 and 18 November.
View original article here

I hope you enjoyed this video blog post Perfect Condition for Coral Spawn on the Great Barrier Reef
It really is quite an amazing event and without this happening coral reef would cease to exist!
So, lets hope for a succesful spawn shall we!
If you enjoy me blog please pass it on to others for all to enjoy!
Happy Holidays
Marty
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Sunday, October 30, 2011

Hamilton Island Queensland and The Great Barrier Reef

Welcome to my blog post "Hamilton Island Queensland and The Great Barrier Reef"
This blog lately I have been covering alot more then just this lovely Island.
We have traveled up to Cairns, spoke about diving with sharks, talked about algea eating fish and turtles with Herpe's.
"Wow", I sure have covered a lot.
But today I want to get back to what it's all about Hamilton Island!


Hamilton Island, Great Barrier Reef
Tour of Hamilton Islands new resort - qualia, Hamilton Island Golf Club and the Hamilton Island Yacht Club. www.hamiltonisland.com.au www.qualia.com.au www.facebook.com twitter.com


BOOK YOUR HAMILTON ISLAND ACCOMMODATION HERE

Hamilton Island an exciting base for Great Barrier Reef adventures

A snorkelling or scuba diving excursion will naturally be a highlight of any trip to the Great Barrier Reef, but travelers on Australia tours will discover there's much more to do both in and out of the water around Hamilton Island.

Located off Australia's northeast coast, Hamilton is one of the 74 Whitsunday islands, renowned for their beautiful uninhabited forests and sunny, warm climate. With crystal clear water to frolic in and a host of options when it comes to accommodations, dining and land-based fun, it's no wonder Lonely Planet says, "Staying on a Whitsunday isle is one of the best options for experiencing the reef."

Among all the Whitsundays, Hamilton Island might provide the best mix of human development and unspoiled natural splendor. Hotels range from the ultra-luxe to the family friendly, and an island village provides a great place to mingle with other travelers while enjoying a delicious meal. For a truly memorable and unique reef experience, adventurers might leave Hamilton for an overnight stay on board a well-appointed boat.

On land, active types can explore the island by hiking or biking its numerous trails. Those who want to check out some of Australia's terrestrial wildlife after seeing some of the 1,500 species of Great Barrier Reef fish can head to the island's wildlife conservatory to have a close encounter with a koala or crocodile.
View Original article here

P1200408

Cocktails at sunset, Day Four, 18/04/2009.

Author:The Food Pornographer



Snorkeling With Turtles on Hamilton Island Video

Yes, if you get a chance to visit the island you may not have venture all the way out to Great Barrier Reef to sea turtles and coral.
Watch the video below and see for yourself!
Snorkelling with turtles on Hamilton Island
Snorkelling with turtles on a fringing reef at Catseye Beach, Hamilton Island Whitsundays, Australia.


I hope you enjoyed this blog post Hamilton Island Queensland and The Great Barrier Reef Reef?
If you are interested in finding quality accommodation, reviews, photo's and more then click the link here today!
Hamilton Island Accommodation
Happy Holidays
Marty

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Cairns Queensland Holiday Adventures

A view from the Kuranda SkyrailImage via WikipediaWelcome to my video blog post "Cairns Queensland Holiday Adventures"
Below I have added some videos and links to articles to help you plan your next vacation up in northern Queensland paradise we call Cairns!
Cairns Day 3 - Behind The Scenes - Skyrail
A day in Cairns, Queensland, Australia on the Skyrail.



Skyrail & Tjapukai


Skyrail CairnsVoted Australia’s best major tourist attraction for three years in a row, Skyrail Rainforest Cableway is one of the most special and unique rainforest experiences in the world. They’re both favourites of ours too!

Skyrail’s Cairns departure terminal is in Smithfield, 15-minutes drive north from Vision Cairns Esplanade Apartments. The 7.5km Skyrail rainforest cableway travels between Cairns and Kuranda showcasing panoramic views of World Heritage-Listed Wet Tropics rainforest, and the Coral Sea. You can leave your Gondola at two mid-stations to see the mighty Barron Falls and learn more about the rainforest from the forest floor. We recommend you travel to Kuranda on the Kuranda Scenic Rail and return to Cairns on Skyrail because the views are better on the way down.

Tjapukai Aboriginal Culture CairnsNext door to Skyrail’s Smithfield terminal is Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park. Far North Queensland is rich with Indigenous Australian culture and history and a visit to Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park is an excellent way to meet some of these fascinating people and experience a taste of their incredible culture through bush medicine and food demonstrations, dancing, storytelling and performance.
View original article

Cairns Rainforest That Meets The Sea


Once you are up in northern Queensland you just have to go to Cape Tribulation and see where the rainforest meets the sea.
This place is truly spectacular, as you will see in the video below by Australian Geographic!

Daintree Rainforest Footage by Australian Geographic
Daintree rainforest episode by Australian Geographic. For more information visit Cairns Great Barrier Reef: www.cairnsgreatbarrierreef.org.au




TONY'S TROPICAL TOURS – VOTED BEST RAINFOREST TOUR IN ...
The stops at the Bloomfield Falls, Daintree Rainforest, Cape Tribulation, Stingray Bay, Noah Valley included some of the best scenery we experienced in Australia. The entire day was carried out very professionally, the lunch ...
Publish Date: 10/30/2011 11:25
http://www.tropicaltours.com.au/blog/tonys-tropical-tours-voted-best-rainforest-tour-in-port-douglas/
Exchange to Oz: The Daintree Rainforest
We were on the steps of the hotel at 7:00 am to board our luxury BMW mini bus with Roger, our guide to spend the day exploring the Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation. There were the 6 of us as well as a nice couple ...
Publish Date: 10/06/2011 12:45
http://exchangetooz.blogspot.com/2011/10/daintree-rainforest.html

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Great Barrier Reef Tour with Quicksilver

Great Barrier Reef Snorkel Tour...off to find NemoImage by Miss Jo and the Elves via FlickrAre you looking for a "Great Barrier Reef Tour with Quicksilver"?
This company has been around for years now and provides a wonderful arrangement of tours.
I hear that they are also now doing a night cruise of some sort.
I have provide below for you an article and video all about this wonderful company and what you can expect in your next trip with the Quicksilver!

Quicksilver Cruises Great Barrier Reef Tours Port Douglas

The world's best known Outer Great Barrier Reef cruise experience. Quicksilver Cruises takes you to the renowned Agincourt Reef at the very outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef. Here, special reefs known as 'ribbons' run parallel to the Continental S...



With Quicksilver, an in-depth Great Barrier Reef tour

By Shane Nelson
Great Barrier Reef from aboveForty-five miles due east of Australia's Cape Tribulation, I was awash in the Coral Sea's mounting crush and having second thoughts about touching a giant clam.

Only minutes earlier, I'd watched a snorkeling marine biologist from Quicksilver Cruises point out an open clam the size of a monster-truck tire. Before diving down to brush it gently with her fingers, she explained to a small group of us how Hollywood had helped falsely brand the sea creatures as man-eaters. A grudging, unhurried jerk followed, and the clam gradually closed its dazzling maw, concealing most of its velvety, electric-blue flesh within the corrugated confines of a far drabber shell.

The process looked simple enough, and shortly after the guided tour finished, I located a giant clam of my own and decided to get a closer look. Sucking in a series of hurried breaths -- hyperventilating apparently helps one go longer without taking a breath -- I bit down on my snorkel and plunged headlong into a canyon of pastels.

An undulating patchwork of muted colors from the surface, the reef became increasingly tangled and complex as I pulled myself closer, descending on the fragile metropolis of coral. Finally just a few inches from the biggest clam I'd ever seen and struggling some with that depth's pressure, I reached out to see what the shell of a wrongly accused man-eater felt like. I ended up stopping short, though, captivated by the colors. It looked like the clam had swallowed a gleaming swatch of green and blue leopard print, and I didn't want anything to do with closing up all that brilliance.

Far-out splendor

Clients who join one of Quicksilver's outer Great Barrier Reef excursions are in for quite a journey. The sailings depart from Port Douglas in northern Queensland and travel just over 45 miles to the edge of Australia's continental shelf and the marine preserve at Agincourt Reef. The trip takes about 90 minutes one way.

Agincourt ReefTalk with Doug Baird, a longtime marine biologist for Quicksilver and the company's environment and compliance manager, and he'll tell you the long voyage is well worth the time.

"If you visit an inshore reef, that may not have a great diversity of coral, and it may not have a tremendous amount of fish life, mainly because of its proximity to the mainland," he explained. "Whereas going with us out to the edge of the continental shelf, we can bank on [150-foot-plus] visibility just about all year round, and there's a tremendous diversity of corals and fish."

Covering a total area of more than 134,000 square miles, the Great Barrier Reef is roughly the same size as New Mexico, and perhaps not surprisingly, many of its most pristine regions are those farthest from where people live.

During our interview, Baird mentioned a range of factors that can be harmful to corals, including sediment runoff, water temperature, salinity fluctuations as well as a growing concern linked to global warming: ocean acidification.

"The more carbon dioxide the oceans absorb, the more acidic the ocean is going to get," he said. "Corals rely on being able to remove calcium carbonate from the surrounding water then lay that down as a skeleton. Calcium carbonate skeletons don't tend to live well in acidic conditions."

Despite those concerns, the Agincourt Reef preserve certainly appeared healthy during my recent visit, and the assortment of both corals and fish was phenomenal.

"It is a full day," said Alana Pietrzak, a Los Angeles-based marketing manager for Qantas Vacations, of Quicksilver's outer reef excursions. "But you get to fully experience the colors of the reef, and there's a far better chance to see all kinds of marine life out there."

Finding Nemo

Patient snorkeling isn't a strong suit of mine, and I'm frequently guilty of trying to see too much as soon as I get my fins wet. According to Baird, narrowing one's focus often yields better results.

Great Barrier Reef coral"What I find most interesting -- and what I try to get folks to do, as well -- is just to follow a fish and see what it does," he said. "See how that fish interacts. See what kind of distance it covers. See what it's feeding on. ... Some fish will spend their entire life cycle in an area not much bigger than a coffee table. Clown fish, for example, tend to spend almost their entire life on one anemone."

Baird told me that actually spotting a clown fish, however, can be tough even for the most patient observers.

"On the movie screen, Nemo looked 4 feet long," he said. "In reality, Nemo is about an inch or 2 inches long. ... And they're also pretty shy. When something creates a big, dark silhouette above them, most of the shy and retiring fish tend to take refuge."

Snorkeling is, of course, only one of many options folks can enjoy once they arrive at Quicksilver's expansive outer reef platform. Those not interested in swimming can join a tour of the region's coral formations on the company's semisubmersible vessel or simply look out the anchored platform's underwater viewing observatory at all kinds of fish -- or passing loved ones.

For an additional fee, patrons can take introductory scuba lessons or plan a certified dive, and Quicksilver also offers novices a helmet diving experience where participants walk along a reef platform in a viewing contraption made mostly of glass. And there's the premium helicopter adventure taking off from a nearby platform, enabling guests to admire the Great Barrier Reef's staggering scale and mesmerizing formations from high above.

"Being Australian, I'm always amazed when I go out to the reef," said Pietrzak, a native of Cairns, Australia, who told me she's gone on at least five Quicksilver cruises. "There's always something magical about being out there, and I learn something new every time I go."

Commissionable to agents, Quicksilver's seven-hour outer reef cruises cost $210 for adults and $107 for children and include a light breakfast and buffet lunch. The company also offers a $534 rate for families of two adults and two children.
View original article here

Visit www.quicksilver-cruises.com.

As you can see from the article above this company really provides one of the best tours on the Great Barrier Reef.
If you are interested all about the Great Barrier Reef, Hamilton Island and the Whitsunday please follow this blog to keep updated.
Happy Holidays!
Marty
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