Welcome to a very cool video blog post! "Sea Trek Video for The Great Barrier Reef"
Sea Trek - Episode 4 - Great Barrier Reef part 1
Featuring a Loggerhead Turtle and Green Sea Turtles laying eggs. Brief encounters with Grey Reef and White Tip Reef Sharks. Episode 4 is mostly focused on reproduction. Part 1 of 3, Episode four of the documentary series: Sea Trek, with Martha Holmes...
Sea Trek - Episode 4 - Great Barrier Reef part 2
Featuring Potato Groupers, Remoras, Anemone, Parrot Fish and Giant Clams. Episode 4 is mostly focused on reproduction. Part 2 of 3, Episode four of the documentary series: Sea Trek, with Martha Holmes and Michael deGruy. One of the far more obscure s...
Sea Trek - Episode 4 - Great Barrier Reef part 3
Ship wreck dive with Bull Rays, Green Turtles and Snappers. Ends with the mass spawning of coral at night. Episode 4 is mostly focused on reproduction. Part 3 of 3, Episode four of the documentary series: Sea Trek, with Martha Holmes and Michael deGr...
I hope you enjoyed the video series above Sea Trek Videos for The Great Barrier Reef! They really are wonderful videos!
I hope you enjoyed it?
See you again soon!
Marty
Welcome to my blog post "Hamilton Island Accommodation Resource List"!
Below I have compiled a list of different links that point to a wide variety of accommodation article and reference links.
If you are looking to getaway to a tropical destination of the Queensland coast of Australia then this is definitely for you!
Hamilton Island Accommodation list
Poinciana Apartments
Once again welcome and thanks for dropping by to read my blog post Hamilton Island Poinciana apartments. If you are looking for a luxurious place to stay in Hamilton Island then these apartments could be the one for you.
The place is nicely settled in a very relaxing and rejuvenating view of pure nature, beauty and is a perfect place to stay for family, friends, and even lovers on a honeymoon or vacation. Why not just chill out relax and have a carefree time! Hamilton Island Poinciana apartments
The Reef View Hotel
Today, I will provide information about one of the best places to stay while having a vacation in Hamilton Island. The Reef View Hotel is certainly one of the fantastic places to stay. The name alone says its best feature. The hotel welcomes every visitor with the grandest of views.
The services and the facilities at this hotel are truly outstanding, as evidenced by positive reviews from those people who really stayed there during their vacation. The article below will provide you more exciting idea about the hotel. Reef View Hotel Hamilton Island Accommodation
Qualia Resort Video
Below I found this wonderful slide show video with a real nice ambiance backing soundtrack!
I believe that this video really provides the feeling of the Whitsundays that Qualia provides.
So, sit back and enjoy! Hamilton Island Resort Video Qualia
Accommodation on Hamilton Island
There is a wide range of places to stay on this part of the Whitsundays and they can range from the best luxury suites in the world to holiday houses and apartments.
Below I have compiled videos and links for you to view so you can organize your next holiday to this perfect piece of paradise! Accommodation on Hamilton Island
South Mole Island Resort Whitsundays
South Molle is situated right in the heart of the Whitsundays and the beautiful Whitsunday Passage. This Island has its own national park that is full of scenic beaches of alabaster-white sands and beautiful bays and inlets.
To find out more about South Mole Island Resort Whitsundays please follow the link provided. South Molle Island Resort Whitsundays
Brampton Island Queensland
Brampton is situated 50 km east of the coastal town of Mackay. It is the most Southern Island of the Whitsunday group. It is easily accessed from the airstrip at Mackay, and there are daily flights. TThis wonderful Tropical Island is also well known for its romantic settings and as a couples’ favorite getaway!
Would you like to find out more? Brampton Island Queensland
I am quite sure you will find what your are looking for, reason being each one of these links takes you to separate website that is just jam packed full of content about the Great Barrier Reef, the Whitsundays Islands, Cairns, Hamilton Island and much, much more!
Don't forget to bookmark them or follow the rss feed as there is plenty more on the way!
Happy Travels
Marty
Image by Michael McDonough via FlickrDoes Coral Have a Sixth Sense?
What do you believe?
Me, I have total faith in the sixth sense of all living creatures on the planet.
If this didn't exist then we just wouldn't of evolved like we have!
Read the article below and make a decision for yourself! Coral Bleaching (Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority)
Corals live in a partnership with single-celled algae known as zooxanthellae. Coral bleaching occurs when this relationship breaks down under stressful conditions - such as higher-than-normal sea temperatures - and the coral host expels its zooxanthe...
Corals can sense what's coming
The ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies
Monday, 21 November 2011
narvikk_-_corals
Corals respond to heat stresses by killing off some of the cells, while strengthening others.
Image: narvikk/iStockphoto
Australian scientists have thrown new light on the mechanism behind the mass death of corals worldwide as the Earth’s climate warms.
Coral bleaching, one of the most devastating events affecting coral reefs around the planet, is triggered by rising water temperatures. It occurs when the corals and their symbiotic algae become heat-stressed, and the algae which feed the corals either die or are expelled by the coral.
There have been seven major bleaching events globally in the past 30 years, the most recent being in 2010 across the Indian Ocean and Coral Triangle. Australia’s Great Barrier Reef has suffered eight events since 1980, the worst being in 2002 when 55% of the total reef area was affected. The frequency of these events appears to be increasing.
Now a team of scientists from the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies and James Cook University has shown that a complex cascade of molecular signals leading up to the self-inflicted death of corals and their symbiotic algae is triggered as sea water begins to warm.
Working with Acropora corals from the reef at Heron Island, the researchers found the cascade begins at ocean temperatures as much as 3 degrees lower than those normally associated with coral bleaching.
And the process culminates in ‘apoptosis’ or programmed cell-death – a situation in which living organisms (including corals and humans) deliberately destroy their weakened or infected body cells, effectively a form of ‘cell suicide’ or amputation designed to protect the organism as a whole.
“Our results suggest that the control of apoptosis is highly complex in the coral-algae symbiosis and that apoptotic cell death cascades potentially play key roles in tipping the cellular life or death balance during environmental stress prior to the onset of coral bleaching,” explains lead author Dr Tracy Ainsworth.
“It is also clear that this chain reaction responds significantly to subtle, daily changes in the environment and to sea temperatures which were generally thought till now to have little impact on the function of coral and its symbiotic algae.”
Paradoxically, the team’s research identified molecular signals both promoting and discouraging programmed cell-death in the corals.
This has led them to a theory that corals respond to the stresses caused by warming sea water by killing off some of the cells, while strengthening others in order to stage a possible recovery after the hot water has moved off the reef and conditions have returned to normal.
“This would explain why some corals are able to recover quite quickly from a bleaching event, if it has not gone too far.
“It is far too early to speculate, but understanding the recovery process for any living organism is always a big help, as human medicine has constantly demonstrated, Dr Ainsworth says.
“The next step in our research will be to see how we can use this new insight into the processes of coral bleaching to understand their recovery mechanisms. We also need to know more about how this process works at lower temperatures, or under varying temperatures.
“That in turn will lead us to explore ways that coral reef managers and users can perhaps minimise other stresses on the reef in order to give it the best possible chance of recovery from bleaching.”
However the team cautions that “further study of the tissue function and cellular differentiation and recovery processes in coral is needed before this complicated cell death system can be fully understood”.
The team’s paper "Defining the tipping point. A complex cellular life/death balance in corals in response to stress" by Ainsworth TD, Wasmund, K, Ukani L, Seneca F, Yellowlees D, Miller D, and Leggat W is published in the latest issue of Scientific Reports published by Nature. View the original article here
There you have it!
It's all quite scientific isn't it?
But, hay, it could be great news for our Corals, maybe they are not so doomed after all.
It's nice to see a positive outlook for a change!
But, I do beg all of you please to consider ways to keep limiting your impact on this wonderful planet so other can benefit from what we have in the future!
Image by kevgibbo via Flickr Please enjoy the article below Hamilton Island Accommodation Palm Bungalows. This is a part of a new article created on the website Hamilton Island Accommodation specials.
Enjoy the tropical ambiance of the place while enjoying the beauty of this Island and explore a whole new accommodation style with the same comfortable and cosy feeling you have at home.
Photo right: Beautiful accommodation on the island is scattered everywhere, you just need to make a choice!
The place is simple, yet absolutely charming. This could be the perfect haven where family and lovers can relax after a day’s tour and activities. To know more about the accommodation check the article below and find out why this place is fantastic!
Romantic and affordable, Hamilton Island Palm Bungalows are designed for couples and families holidaying on a budget. Surrounded by tropical landscaped gardens and Hamilton Island’s lush foliage, the bungalows have everything you need for a comfortable island holiday.
The freestanding bungalows are simple yet charming, offering a ‘back to nature’ experience. The bungalows offer seclusion in a convenient location, with the island’s main swimming pool and shops and restaurants of Marina Village just minutes away.
Palm Bungalow’s facilities
The Main Pool and Catseye Beach are a two-minute walk away. The Palm Bungalows reception operates 24 hours a day (Reef View Hotel reception), and are serviced daily. Guests staying at the Palm Bungalows have complimentary use of non-motorised water sports equipment, including catamarans, paddle skis, snorkelling equipment and windsurfers.
To Read the rest of the article and access links to the latest deals please click this link provided.
Hamilton Island is the largest inhabited island of the Whitsunday Islands in Queensland, Australia. Hamilton Island, like most in the Whitsunday group, was formed as sea levels rose creating numerous drowned mountains that are situated close to the east coast of Queensland, Australia. The island is a popular tourist destination and was featured in the successful "Best Job In The World" promotion.
In late August the island plays host to its annual Hamilton Island Race Week yachting festival, in which more than 150 yachts from across Australia and New Zealand gather for a week of races around the islands. 'Whitehaven Day' is when the yachts descend upon Whitehaven beach for a big beach party. However this is only one of many festivals hosted on the island. Image via Wikipedia
At least two major films have been on location at Hamilton Island, Muriel's Wedding and Fool's Gold. View Hamilton Island Wikipedia here
Photo right: The ever amazing Great Barrier Reef from the sky!
Image via WikipediaHi Guys and welcome to my blog post 5 Star Accommodation Port Douglas List.
I can't believe how popular this blog is becoming now!
I want to thank you all so much for coming back and reading the articles that I provide.
I really do try my best to bring quality content!
Are you looking for 5 Star Accommodation Port Douglas? If you are then just may of come to the right place!
Below I have provided links to get you on your way! This part of the world sure is set apart from the rest of the and being so close to rainforest and the Daintree, well I think you get my drift!
There really is a great range of accommodation available from living in the tree tops to luxury hotels!
Enjoy! Image via Wikipedia
Port Douglas Resort - Thala Beach Lodge Envirotv
Port Douglas Accommodation at Thala Beach Lodge was featured on Envirotraveltv. Winner of 2008 Best Luxury Hotel in Australia and 2009 Best Luxury Hotel in Australia and 2009 Best Romance hotel in Australia awarded by Tripadvisor Travelers Choice Awa...
Tropical northern Queensland Thala Beach Resort is set amongst beautiful trees and offers a wonderful view provided by something only nature can provide!
View 86 Port Douglas Hotels
Below there is a link that will direct you to 86 Port Douglas Hotels!
Here you will find reviews, prices photos and an option to book if you find something that you like!
Review and Book with a choice of 86 hotels in Port Douglas!
Image via Wikipedia Welcome to my blog post The Great Barrier Reef Information World!
I wanted to share this with you, as I believe many of you may of missed my main website Great Barrier Reef Holidays that is just loaded with awesome content!
Click the links below and find out for yourself !
New 7 Wonders - Great Barrier Reef featuring Andy Ridley (Earth Hour), Part 1
Andy shot a series of videos on Green Island, Middle Cay and Norman Reef driving people to vote for the Great Barrier Reef as one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World. This video is day one of his three day visit to Green Island on the Great Barrier...
As you may or not know this Australian reef that fringes the north east coast of Australia is the largest reef of its kind. The reef is a relatively new and just over 1000 years old, but did you know that it has built itself on top of a very old reef?
Yes, the base underneath is hundreds and thousands years old and has provided the perfect base its relatives.
The Great Barrier Reef Info Center
If you are looking to find more information from within the list provided just follow the links and you will be guided to even more solid content! The Great Barrier Reef Age – Yes, this reef is steeped with mystery, but science is slowly unwrapping and solving some puzzles. Scientist are digging deep into the reef and discovering some of the oldest known coral reef that has existed on this planet.
Find out more here The Great Barrier Reef Age Fish in The Great Barrier Reef - There are over 1500 species of fish that live on the reef that resides off the Queensland Aussie coast and virtually all of them depend on this coral reefs health for their survival. Actually one of these fish can live to more than 50 years of age. Find out its name and more here! Fish in the Great Barrier Reef The Great Barrier Reef Info for kids - Yes coral reef can be just like a wonderland to children and there is also lots that they can learn along the way, while having a great deal fun, especially if your kid loves nature and the great outdoors. Maybe they are an indoors computer kid? But that could easily change with an awesome holiday? To find out more follow the link to the resource page The Great Barrier Reef Info for Kids
Great Barrier Reef food web - Yes, everything eats everything. Sharks here on the reef would be at the top of the food chain, but when you take a closer look at what humans do to sharks? Mmmm, this really is interesting.
Find out more about The Great Barrier Reef Food Web here! Information about the Great Barrier Reef- Would you like to know more about the corals and marine life that live and breath the Great Barrier Reef?Follow the link below to get a greater understanding! Information about the Great Barrier Reef Great Barrier Reef History - There is more to history on this famous reef than just its age! What about shipwrecks? Captain Cook and his views on the reef? And also evolution! Find out more about Great Barrier Reef history here. Great Barrier Reef History Great Barrier Reef Map - Are you looking to find your way around the reef, surrounding Islands and Australian north east mainland? Follow the link provided here to download the map! Great Barrier Reef Map So, how cool are all these links that I have provided within this article The Great Barrier Reef Information World?
Actaully there is so much content here that I really think you should bookmark it, pass it on to your buddies and family online, and heck why not even Tweet it right now!
And if you haven't already make sure you watch the video up the top too!
Happy Holidays
Marty
ps: I also placed a massive link links below for you to access even more content! YE HAH!
Image via WikipediaWelcome to my video blog post the Great Barrier Reef Corals.
If you have been following this blog you may of noticed the concerns based around the reef and climate change!
There just may be a glimmer of hope!
View the article below to find out more today! Coral bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef
Coral bleaching occurs when corals get too hot. Bleached corals are essentially sick corals and although they can recover, if temperatures are too warm for too long, the corals will die. Coral bleaching and in some cases death, is an impact of climat...
,
Great barrier relief: corals are tougher than expected
by: Sarah Elks, North Queensland correspondent
From: The Australian
November 14, 2011
RESEARCHERS are discovering pockets of tough survivor corals around Australia, sparking hope reefs are more resilient to the devastating effects of climate change than feared.
On the southern Great Barrier Reef, quick-growing coral has survived bleaching caused by a spike in sea temperatures; off the Kimberley coastline, researchers are marvelling at the ability of the reef to adapt to warming waters; while a new Australian study reveals some coral can offset ocean acidification when surrounded by seagrass beds.
But despite the glimmers of hope, scientists say reefs are not adapting quickly enough to cope with the rate of climate change, and the forecast is still bleak. Image by Michael McDonough via FlickrImage via WikipediaImage via Wikipedia
University of Western Sydney biologist Anya Salih studies the reefs off Lord Howe Island and has discovered corals with high levels of fluorescent protein are less vulnerable to coral bleaching.
Free trial
"This does show corals have some capacity to resist climate change," Dr Salih said, while noting that even those with the protein suffered.
"However . . . the predicted increases of temperature indicate they are likely to reach levels beyond the adaptive capacity of the more resilient corals."
Dr Salih said scientists were regularly observing the resilience of corals to extreme conditions.
"The question is not whether there are corals that are more resilient than others - there certainly are - but whether the speed of adaptation is fast enough to keep up with the rate of climate change," she said.
"Much of the evidence is showing it cannot."
Mass bleaching is caused when normal summer sea temperatures rise by more than one or two degrees for a sustained period, combined with direct sunlight.
Australian Museum coral biodiversity researcher Zoe Richards has observed first-hand how rapidly corals on remote Ashmore Reef, off Western Australia, recovered from significant bleachings in 1998 and 2003.
There, the percentage of hard coral on the seabed increased in four years from 10 per cent in 2005 to nearly 30 per cent in 2009, while the percentage cover of soft corals doubled over the same period.
"It was a rapid recovery and quite unexpected, given the reef's isolation," Dr Richards said.
But the ability of reefs to adapt and survive the effects of climate change was hindered by other man-made threats, such as overfishing and chemical runoff, Dr Richards said.
Snorkelling at Long Bommie on the Great Barrier Reef off Cairns, student Claudia Pudelko, 23, said it was imperative the reef was protected.
"It's very important, especially for Cairns, because the whole economy here is based on it," said Ms Pudelko, who moved from Germany to Australia in 2007 to work on a reef dive boat.
"Ninety per cent of my friends work in the tourism industry here, and they would be without a job." view original article here!
As you can see from the article above there is a glimmer of hope!
I am sure that there are many worried companies that survive alone on the almighty tourist dollar.
But, truthfully it's more than just the money, it is also the future of the reef, the underwater eco systems and much much more!
I hope you enjoyed this article the Great Barrier Reef Corals?
Please share it online at your favorite website, such as Twitter and Facebook!
Happy Holidays
Marty
Image via WikipediaWelcome to my article about The Best Hotels and Resorts in Airlie Beach which is perfect for those who definitely love the beach and travelling! These places are perfect destination for a grand vacation with your family to enjoy with while doing some serious R&R.
Airlie Beach is a great place to visit when you aim to travel the Great Barrier Reef and Whitsunday Islands in Australia.
The town is a great place with a large selection of fun activities during the holidays. The exciting activities that you can enjoy at this place are skydiving, diving, snorkeling, Island sailing, trips to the barrier reefs, etc.
One of the best hotels and resorts in Airlie Beach is the Club Crocodile Resort, which is situated in Whitsunday. The resort offers reasonable prices to various tourists.
They provide ocean and pool views to all 160 rooms. This relaxed haven is suitable to all who simply would like to enjoy and relax a bit from the daily stresses of their life.
Image via Wikipedia photo right:The view from the Coral Sea Resort!
The resort has a cool ambiance and is well-liked by most visitors. On the other hand, the Coral Sea Resort is composed of a wide range of superior suites, apartments and penthouses with excellent amenities for those who like to stay in this place.
Coral Sea Resort, Airlie Beach Accommodation, Whitsundays, Great Barrier Reef. Positioned on the absolute ocean front and just a short stroll via seaside boardwalk to the enchanting Airlie Beach resort village; with its relaxed atmosphere and collect...
The Water’s Edge Whitsunday Resort is also considered as one of the best hotels and resorts in Airlie Beach and definitely must be considered as an option.Image via Wikipedia
There is a tropical garden within the city and visitors will surely enjoy being close to The Whitsunday Islands and The Great Barrier Reef
Water sports activities such as scuba diving, snorkeling and even fishing are suitable can be booked easily from many of the tourist centers and booking agents.
Also guests won’t get bored when on tour and can easily entertaining themselves with various activities in the resorts and hotels.
Another great place to enjoy is the Grand Mercure Azure Sea Apartments that also have admirable amenities such as private balconies that are strategically placed in each room that allows the guests to have a view of the gorgeous sea, a television set, internet access, personal bathrooms and kitchen complete with appliances.
Aside from that, visitors can truly enjoy the best of Airlie Beach with another the stunning Marina Shores Apartments!
This place also provides excellent accommodation for their guests while they are on vacation
The only difference is that, they have a BBQ area, Spa, salon and fitness center.
Hi, and welcome! One of my clients who I have been teaching blogging to just emailed this article to me!
I talks about watching the showon the ABC and some of us may be a little late to see that after reading this!
Anyway check the article below and see what maybe you could do?
Like sign the partition!
Thanks
Marty
Save the reef!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Millions of cubic metres of sea floor is being removed from the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area right now. It's the largest dredging project ever undertaken in Australia, making way for massive new coal seam gas export facilities.
This massive industrial activity is damaging the Great Barrier Reef and threatens its status as a World Heritage Site. Sign the emergency petition now!
The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef in the world and is recognised as a global treasure, due to the amazing biodiversity which it sustains and it's unparalleled beauty.
The Great Barrier Reef is one of the 7 Wonders of the Natural World.
The reef brings in billions of dollars of economic activity every year and supports tens of thousands of jobs in tourism and the fishing industry.
The largest dredging project ever undertaken in Australia was approved to occur within the Great Barrier Reef WHA, at Gladstone Harbour, and is slated to remove a total of around 50 million cubic metres of soil.
The ecosystem of the GBR is already very fragile and is facing total collapse with the added pressure of the dredging, which releases toxic chemicals into the sea.
In the past 6 months (the first stage of dredging) there has been a steep increase in deaths of endangered marine wildlife - 6 dolphins, 10 dugongs and 231 turtles have washed up dead near Gladstone on the Great Barrier Reef.
Fishermen and their families have been getting sick and have noticed that many of the fish have washed up with a strange flesh disease.
The Australian government failed to inform UNESCO of the approval of the gas facilities in the Great Barrier Reef WHA.
Breaking: tune in to ABC's Four Corners at 8:30pm tonight - and sign the emergency petition to stop the destruction of the Great Barrier Reef now.
If you tune in to Four Corner's tonight you'll see a truly shocking story about the destruction of huge swathes of our Great Barrier Reef. Not to spoil the plot, but... Millions of cubic metres of sea floor are being drudged up from the Great Barrier Reef to make way for massive new coal seem gas export facilities. No, we're not kidding.
It's the largest dredging project ever undertaken in Australia, and one that has the United Nations' Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) so alarmed they're warning the Reef could lose its iconic world heritage status. We've created an emergency petition to stop this. Sign here, tune in and spread the word now.
As The Age recently put it- what's of primary concern is the "vast dredging program" associated with the construction of three coal seam gas plants located inside the reef's World Heritage area. "The Gladstone Ports Corporation (GPC) has approvals to dredge 46 million cubic metres from within the harbour boundaries, inside the World Heritage area, over the next 20 years...a volume equivalent to 27 Melbourne Cricket Grounds." 1
Environment Minister Tony Burke has so far refused to stand up for the Reef, a priceless and fragile site of significance not just to Australia, but to the world. Imagine if the Pyramids were being bulldozed or the Grand Canyon mined -- the global community would be furious. Well UNESCO is furious. They're sending a special delegation in March to inspect the mining sites at the Reef, but that's too late to stop the damage happening now.
Meanwhile, UNESCO are being lobbied hard by the insatiable coal seam gas industry. And although they failed to even tell UNESCO about the project, the state and federal governments would have us simply trust them to monitor and regulate this crazy project -- claiming it's possible to dredge up 46 million cubic metres of reef inside a world heritage site provided there's sufficient environmental oversight. If the Australian Government won't stand up for the Great Barrier Reef as it's ripped up for corporate profit, we will.
That's why we've created an urgent petition, as we prepare to launch this campaign on the global stage.
The fragile and unique ecosystem of the Great Barrier Reef is already under intense pressure due to earlier floods and a changing climate. We've witnessed a steep increase in the rates of death of endangered marine wildlife this year -- including dolphins, dugongs and turtles. The massive development for the coal seam gas industry may well prove too much for it to handle.
As you can see from the article above this truly is shocking stuff!
Me I am flabergasted at how they could even consider this!
I am off to sign the partition and I hope you do too!
Happy Travels
Marty
Image via WikipediaAre you looking for a bit of luxury? How about the Best Airlie Beach Hotel?
This place is known around the world as the Gateway to the Whitsundays, but it also has a very coastal feel with some very cool Hotels and a wide variety of accommodation!
photo right: The view of Airlie from the hillside!
Airlie Beach Hotel, Whitsundays Accommodation
Airlie Beach Hotel, Whitsundays accommodation, is a 4 star waterfont hotel overlooking Airlie Beach itself with 3 fine eateries in the complex. Visit our web site.
Airlie Beach Hotel — Luxury in North Queensland The Airlie Beach Hotel is located in the lovely coastal town of Airlie Beach. It is an excellent property to stay at if you want to see the huge rainforest of the region, the Great Barrier Reef and the fantastic Whitsunday Islands nearby.
The hotel is located right on Airlie Beach on the esplanade. It is the greatest place to stay for adventure travelers and for those wanting to relax on the beach.
You can relax on the balcony of your hotel room, listening to the sounds of the ocean. Talk to the front desk about scheduling a trip out to the Great Barrier Reef or taking a boat ride out to Whitsunday Islands. Everything is right at your doorstep and the hotel itself is a great place to relax and get away from it all. There is an onsite liquor store for you to get wine, other spirits and beer for use in your room or outside at a picnic or on your balcony. There are many types of rooms to choose from so you can house a single person, a couple or a small family.
The hotel offers you free Wi-Fi internet services and many restaurants and lounges/bars. There is secure underground parking and shopping within the confines of the property or within the nearby village. A tour desk will help arrange the tours you are interested in. Laundry services are available. All rooms are non-smoking and you can make use of the hotel swimming pool outdoors in the sunshine. There are rooms perfect for the disabled with access for wheelchairs and the like.
The Airlie Beach Hotel has an excellent dining experience for all guest’s likes and dislikes. There are three restaurants on site including the Cactus Jack’s Tex-Mex Restaurant. It has fiery tex-mex food and margaritas to top it off. Its unique dining experience will make you want to come back night after night.
The Capers Restaurant at the Beach is a bar and grill that serves alfresco dining of contemporary food. It is open late at night for cocktails and lounging with friends or colleagues. In the village quarter, you’ll find the Mangrove Jack’s Café and Bar. It is an Australian/North Queensland style restaurant featuring seafood and other Australian style meals.
You can see the downtown area of the village right from the restaurant and get a feel for what it’s like to live in a North Queensland beach village. It also specializes in genuine wood fired pizza and features sports games on large screen televisions. The beach is right outside of every room. Choose from a double/single room that has a queen sized bed, balcony, air conditioning, ensuite bathroom, refrigerator, coffee and tea making facilities, cable television, telephone, Wi-Fi services, ironing board, iron and hairdryer.
You can also choose from a deluxe or executive hotel room that provides you with a king sized bed or one queen and one single bed that sleeps three. The executive rooms offer the same amenities as a standard room, including a balcony from which you can have views of the ocean or the village.
The Airlie Beach Hotel is a lovely hotel to spend time at or to use as a jumping off place to see all that North Queensland has to offer. There are all the comforts of home and the Great Barrier Reef, tropical forests and great shopping at your doorstep. View original article here
I hope you enjoyed this video blog post The Best Airlie Beach Hotel and found it useful?
Please keep an eye on this blog for more updates around the Great Barrier Reef, Hamilton and the Whitsundays!
Happy Travels
Marty
ps: Click the link above to see the latest specials!
Image via WikipediaHi, and welcome to my video "blog post Experts Predict The Extinction of The Great Barrier Reef"!
Is it true, will one of the 7th wonders on the planet crumble around us during our lifetime.
This article below says that maybe the whole thing has been greatly exaggerated.
Maybe?
Me is am not a scientist, but I do have a passion for theis wonderful underwater nature land!
View the article below from the Telegraph UK and see exactly what these guys have to say! Great Barrier Reef - Giant Clam
Playing with a Giant Clam on the Great Barrier Reef at Michaelmas Cay. This was on March 25 on Ocean Spirit Cruises.
Australia: All's well on the Great Barrier Reef
Experts predict the extinction of the Great Barrier Reef but the planet's largest living organism is holding up well, finds Cameron Wilson.
The Great Barrier Reef exists in a kind of public relations purgatory, as almost every conference on global warming, every estimate of rising sea levels and every warning about coral bleaching includes the pronouncement: "the Great Barrier Reef could be extinct within our lifetime!" The planet's largest living organism has become a 1,300-mile underwater canary-in-the-coal mine, predictions of its demise shorthand for environmental Armageddon.
In spite of this, I embarked on my first visit to the reef in eight years optimistic that the fish, corals and other marine life had not heard the news and were swimming, feeding and procreating much as always.
It's an odd fact that most of the two million people who travel to see the reef annually go in winter (June-August in Australia), but the reef is actually at its best just before the summer monsoon when calmer seas bring exceptional underwater visibility.
Similarly, because Cairns is well known as the gateway city to the reef, it's assumed to be the place to stay. But unless you fancy backpacker bars, Port Douglas, an hour up the road, may be a better option. Accommodation ranges from modest to lavish and several top-notch reef trips leave from here, too.
One of these is Poseidon, and I booked myself on for a day's diving to check the state of things on Agincourt Reef. There were 38 other passengers on the trip and 10 of us paired off to dive at a site known as Stonehenge, after a cluster of coral plinths that poke out of the waves. Some of the coral bomboras (offshore wave breaks known as "bommies") we drifted over were largely barren, while others bristled with soft and hard corals and sea fans in an array of greens, blues, reds and yellows. This mix of the bare and the colourful was much the same when I last dived Agincourt Reef nearly a decade ago.
Tropical reefs in Australia and elsewhere can often be disappointingly bereft of giant clams, but at Stonehenge they were everywhere – some more than 5ft across, with fleshy lips in royal shades of purple and green or else creamy browns flecked with yellow. Myriad tiny fish in electric blue, green and yellow darted among gardens of staghorn coral, and I spotted a colony of anemones with 20 or so inhabitant clownfish, the first time I'd seen these endearing little "Nemos" in such numbers.
Lunch was standard fare for the better reef tours: chilled prawns, cold meats and salads followed by tea and coffee with muffins and brownies. Satisfied with both the diving and the food, I settled in for the journey back to Port Douglas, chatting with my fellow divers about their experiences of visiting the reef.
While everyone had seen corals blooming with health and others less so, the biggest surprise for most had been the time taken to reach the outer reef. Most tour boats will travel three hours round-trip in order to spend four hours moored by the coral. This can make a live-aboard trip an appealing option, as you get more time snorkelling or diving relative to time spent in transit. But it does mean committing to a set number of days at sea – which can be a pain if the weather turns or you're not much enjoying the boat.
A more flexible alternative is Reef Encounter, which can accommodate guests for one or several days, as its sister vessel Reef Express ferries passengers to and from Cairns daily. My two-day "Top Deck" package with Reef Encounter included my own dive-guide and valet – a peppy English girl named Lucy. The moment I stepped on board it was apparent Reef Encounter pulls off that trick some boats do of being roomier inside than they appear from the outside. My cabin had a comfortable double bed and a compact bathroom cubicle (there was also a plate of fresh fruit and glass of champagne). Lucy outlined the boat's amenities and dining schedule and then switched roles from valet to dive guide, ensuring I had a properly fitted wetsuit and scuba rig.
After lunch, Lucy and I suited up and stepped off the boat's dive platform, sinking alongside the mooring line on to Hastings Reef. Reef Encounter shuttles between different sites on Hastings and Saxon reefs, so multi-day divers and snorkellers get lots of variety.
As at Agincourt Reef, giant clams were in abundance and while some bommies looked past their best, others teemed with life. We encountered dozens of parrot fish and a pair of hump-head Maori wrasse, each over 3ft long. Lucy spotted a loggerhead turtle on the surface, and we watched it dive past us to the bottom to fossick for food. Occasionally a white-tip reef shark would glide by, and when I found one resting on the sand, I was able to settle almost alongside it.
For my final water session off Reef Encounter, I abandoned the scuba gear and instead spent an hour snorkelling about the reef shallows. Anemones and clown-fish, more giant clams, a turtle and a cruising black-tip reef shark were among the sightings, along with forests of staghorn coral that glowed green, orange and blue.
On the run back to Cairns aboard Reef Express I sat topside with the skipper, who gave me the fisherman's view on the relative merits of coral trout, barramundi and Spanish mackerel as well as the grim outlook for ocean fish stocks.
In the end we agreed we don't know what impact global warming will have on the Great Barrier Reef, but probably no one else does either. It is to be hoped that in years to come, we will be able to say that reports of its death have been greatly exaggerated. View original article here
Yes, I wish I was more of an expert on this subject. The truth is I have watched the seas rise over the years and tons of sand taken away from many of our beaches on the east coast of Australia!
All I ask is that you be aware and try your very best to lower any impact that you have on the planet, to save not only the Great Barrier Reef, but many of Islands and natural resources.
I know this is a whole other subject, but we must act and play a small role each to make one BIG ONE!
Image via WikipediaImage by Getty Images via @daylifeWelcome to my blog post "Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Fun"! This place sure is natures wonderland and the Coral sea just may be the biggest on the planet!
Check out the video below if this true underwater paradise!
Exploring Oceans: Great Barrier Reef
The largest living structure, the Great Barrier Reef spans more than 1200 miles (2000 km) of islands and submerged reefs.
I also cam accross this wonderful article and wanted to share it with you all!
Enjoy!
LABOR is considering proposals to establish the world's largest marine protected area with 972,000 square kilometres of the Coral Sea to be given differing levels of environmental cover.
The Age believes the draft proposal for the tropical waters between the Great Barrier Reef and the edge of Australian territory will place about half the total region in ''no take'' reserves, stopping fishing.
The rest of the Coral Sea will be made multi-use, single-use and wilderness conservation areas allowing recreational fishing, some commercial fishing, or both, to differing degrees.
The draft proposal is still being finalised before its release in coming weeks, but falls short of a campaign by conservationists for the entire Coral Sea to be declared a ''no-take'' reserve due to its largely unspoilt environment and military significance.
Director of the Australian Marine Conservation Society Darren Kindleysides said: ''The government has the opportunity to leave an environmental legacy of global significance by fully protecting the Coral Sea in a large marine national park.
''There have always been two important goals since the campaign to protect the Coral Sea began in 2008 - providing a very large safe haven for marine life and recognising the historic significance of the area.
''We'll be assessing the plan to see how it measures up against these two key tests once it is released.''
Environment Minister Tony Burke would not comment yesterday except to say ''a draft bio-regional plan for the east region, including the Coral Sea, will be released later this year and will be followed by a three-month period of community consultation.''
But in an article in Fishing World last week, Mr Burke said he wanted to minimise the effects on recreational fishers from the rollout of marine parks around the country, including in the Coral Sea.
Mr Burke said he wanted no-take zones to be primarily located away from popular recreational fishing spots and that ''exclusive catch and release recreational fishing zones'' could also be used allowing extraction of fish only for immediate consumption.
View Original article here!
Recently I was reading about the impact of fishing on the Great Barrier Reef and the Coral Sea!
There really has been a large impact and many species are in lower numbers, as they are targeted as table fish.
Hopefully somehow they can get on top of this and do some serious studies on the impacts here!
Lets pray for sustainable fishing in this area!
Take care my friends and if you ever get a chance go and get some of your own Great Barrier Reef Marine park fun!
Happy Holidays
Marty
The Great Barrier Reef Age – Yes, this reef is steeped with mystery, but science is slowly unwrapping and solving some puzzles. Scientist are digging deep into the reef and discovering some of the oldest known coral reef that has existed on this planet.
Fish in The Great Barrier Reef - There are over 1500 species of fish that live on the reef that resides off the Queensland Aussie coast and virtually all of them depend on this coral reefs health for their survival. Actually one of these fish can live to more than 50 years of age. Find out its name and more here! 
The Great Barrier Reef Info for kids - Yes coral reef can be just like a wonderland to children and there is also lots that they can learn along the way, while having a great deal fun, especially if your kid loves nature and the great outdoors. Maybe they are an indoors computer kid? But that could easily change with an awesome holiday? To find out more follow the link to the resource page The 
Great Barrier Reef food web - Yes, everything eats everything. Sharks here on the reef would be at the top of the food chain, but when you take a closer look at what humans do to sharks? Mmmm, this really is interesting. 
Information about the Great Barrier Reef- Would you like to know more about the corals and marine life that live and breath the Great Barrier Reef?Follow the link below to get a greater understanding!
Great Barrier Reef History - There is more to history on this famous reef than just its age! What about shipwrecks? Captain Cook and his views on the reef? And also evolution! Find out more about Great Barrier Reef history here. 
Great Barrier Reef Map - Are you looking to find your way around the reef, surrounding Islands and Australian north east mainland? Follow the link provided here to download the map! 
The Airlie Beach Hotel is located in the lovely coastal town of Airlie Beach. It is an excellent property to stay at if you want to see the huge rainforest of the region, the 
The beach is right outside of every room. Choose from a double/single room that has a queen sized bed, balcony, air conditioning, ensuite bathroom, refrigerator, coffee and tea making facilities, cable television, telephone, Wi-Fi services, ironing board, iron and hairdryer. 
