HERE'S five great ways to explore the Great Barrier Reef region from Cairns.

1. From the top, island hop

You can go castaway on many of Great Barrier Reef’s lush island national parks.  There’s Green and Fitzroy islands near Cairns, and Dunk, Bedarra, Hinchinbrook and Orpheus islands further south.

2. With flippers and a wetsuit

Check out the technicolour coral and marine life through a glass-bottomed boat from coastal hubs such as Cairns, Port Douglas or Mission Beach. Or experience the Reef’s smooth seas, deep drop offs, underwater tunnels and caves with a dive school or day trip operator. Snorkel or dive the edge of the continental shelf at Agincourt Reef from Cairns.

3. With wind in your sails 

Set sail from Port Douglas for Low Isles, a secluded island jewel discovered by Captain Cook in 1770.  You can also take a bareboat from Cairns to the outer Greater Barrier Reef.  Learn to sail with fully qualified staff or take on a skipper until you feel confident enough to take the wheel.

4. Smelling rainforest air

Trek, camp and commune with nature in the region’s national parks. Cruise down the Daintree River and visit Mossman Gorge in the Daintree Rainforest. Spot nocturnal wildlife and swoon at Bloomfield Falls when you reach Cape Tribulation, where the forest plunges literally to the Reef.

5. With your adrenalin pumping

Soar over the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef on a scenic helicopter flight to Green Island. Combine a snorkelling day trip to the Reef from Cairns with a hot air balloon ride over the Atherton Tablelands. Take a luxury catamaran from Cairns and Port Douglas to the outer Great Barrier Reef. Or drift between Cairns and Townsville on a luxury three-day cruise.  

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