| GREAT
BARRIER REEF |
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In
recognition of its outstanding universal value, the Great
Barrier Reef, stretching some 2,000 kms along the Queensland
Coast, was inscribed on the World Heritage List on 26th
October, 1981, under the Unesco Convention concerning
the protection of the world cultural and natural heritage.
The purpose of the Convention is to ensure international
co-operation for the protection and care of the world's
outstanding and irreplaceable heritage. |
Over 200 World Heritage sites are scattered around the
world including the Grand Canyon in the USA, the Pyramid
Fields of Egypt and the Taj Mahal in India.
In
the Australian Government's nomination of the Barrier
Reef to the World Heritage List it stated "The
Great Barrier Reef is by far the largest single collection
of coral reefs in the World. Biologically the Great
Barrier Reef supports the most diverse ecosystems known
to man. Its enormous diversity is thought to reflect
the maturity of an ecosystem which has evolved over
millions of years...."
Today the Great Barrier Marine Park, including over
2,500 individual reefs and island national parks, is
managed by the Queensland National Parks and Wildlife
service and is made available for the appreciation and
enjoyment of this and future generations from around
the world.
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| THE
REEFS |
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The
Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest collection of
living corals. Corals actually refer to a number of similar
marine animals, which form the main structure of coral
reefs. Each coral contains polyps which bud in a variety
of ways. This budding process is responsible for the many
shapes and textures of corals. Coral reproduction, which
occurs for just a few short days each year in a spectacular
display of colour, is one of the most amazing spectacles
on the Barrier Reef.
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Coral reefs are also havens for thousands of marine animals
and plants, in a vista of colour, shape and design. Over
1500 species of fish are known to exist on the Barrier
Reef including the world's smallest and largest, giant
clams sometimes up to a metre long and 200 kg in weight,
and 15 metre whale sharks (thankfully harmless plankton
eaters) among many.
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| THE
RAINFOREST |
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The
Great Barrier Reef islands and coastline, encompassing
the world heritage Daintree Rainforest, boasts an amazing
variety of ecosystems. The sub tropical vegetation varies
from towering rainforest canopies, to eucalypt forests,
to dense mangrove mud flats and coastal lowlands.
The
Southern islands, lying between Cairns and Townsville,
are the most tropical of all the islands in the Great
Barrier Reef Marine Park. Entire islands such as Hinchinbrook,
(Australia's largest island national park) have been declared
flora and fauna havens - sanctuaries for Australia's fascinating
wildlife. Both Dunk and Fitzroy Islands offer dense tropical
rainforests, and a colourful variety of birdlife, nesting
high in the forest canopy. |
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North of Cairns, on the Far North Queensland coast, lies
Mossman Gorge and the magnificent Daintree Rainforest.
One of the most beautiful coastal locations on the reef
is Cape Tribulation, where the rainforest meets the waters
of the Coral Sea. |
Monday
– After breakfast we arrive Cairns. Enjoy
freetime in port or choose from a variety of complimentary
half day tours including a visit to Kuranda Village via
the scenic skyrail, the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park
or a small-boat wildflife cruise of Trinity Inlet. This
afternoon we depart for Green Island.
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| CAPE
YORK |
|
Cape
York is one of the world's last accessible wilderness
areas. A place where you can stand on the northern tip
of the continent, in awe of the ancient mountains, grasslands,
and rivers that have shaped this rugged frontier.
The scenery is magnificent, the wildlife amazing and the
cruise aboard MV Reef Endeavour, a once in a lifetime
adventure. Experience the diverse cultures of the Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islands, visit historic Cooktown and
walk in the footsteps of great explorers. |
| Cruise
into the Torres Strait to Thursday Island, rich in an
ever changing heritage from its ancient island people
to a thriving pearl industry to relics of the world at
war. And all along the coastline you'll experience pristine
rainforests and true barrier reefs rarely visited by man. |
| EARLY
EXPLORATION |
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The
hundreds of shipwrecks littering the Great Barrier
Reef
attest to the hazard the Reef posed for coastal navigators.
Sixteenth Century Portuguese navigators were the first
to describe the treacherous waters off north eastern
Australia. A map from this period marked the area
as "COST DANGEREUSE".
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Two
centuries later, James Cook reached Australia during his
epic voyage of exploration. Cook described the maze of
coral reefs as "Memorials to Distress". His
ship the "Endeavour" ran aground on the Endeavour
Reef in June 1770.
The first mapping survey of the Great Barrier Reef was
conducted in 1802 by Matthew Flinders. Throughout the
1800's, survey of the Reef was slow but eventually resulted
in the opening of the Torres Strait Passage to increased
sail and later steamer traffic. In 1884 the Torres Strait
Pilot Service was officially established.
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