The Great Barrier Reef: It is no wonder it’s one of Australia’s travel gems

The Great Barrier Reef is at the top of most people’s travel bucket list, whether they be overseas visitors or Aussies wanting to explore their own backyard. And it’s easy to see why. The spectacular coral system is the largest in the world, and is home to over 1,500 different species of fish, plus sea turtles and sea birds which are found on the sandy shores.

You can snorkel, swim and dive in the reef to get a close-up look at the underwater masterpiece, or cruise on the waters and island hop to Hamilton Island, Hayman Island, Lady Elliot Island and more. Many of these islands offer the perfect place to stay, with gorgeous resorts to relax and unwind before you head off to explore the reef.

Alternatively, you could base yourself in one of the beautiful towns on the mainland including Cairns, Airlie Beach and Port Douglas. A popular option is to fly into Cairns, or nearby Townsville, and set off from there, hiring a car and cruising along the coast, then hopping on a boat and heading off to explore the surrounding islands.

Or, if you’d rather stay on the sea, there’s many Australian cruises which explore the reef and include day trips to the towns and islands, so you won’t miss out on a thing! Travel at 60 is always putting together great deals for eager travellers to the Sunshine State and currently there’s two exciting cruises on offer, with departures for late 2020 and early next year.

On a seven-night Great Barrier Reef expedition you’ll journey to the outer edge of the reef and discover abundant marine life, ancient cultures, seabirds and solitude. There’s a maximum of 72 guests on this cruise – so much smaller than others – and you’ll have the opportunity to explore the hidden corners, uninhabited sand cays, small islands and of course the pristine reef systems.

The trip departs from Cairns and travels to Cooktown, Lizard Island, Osprey Reef, Fitzroy Island and many more incredible places. Along the way you’ll swim, snorkel or dive in the Great Barrier Reef, visit a turtle rehabilitation centre, explore the Daintree River which cuts through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest – just to name a few.

Meanwhile, if you fancy travelling with fellow over-60s you could join a community tour onboard a 10-night cruise which ventures to Brisbane, Airlie Beach, Cairns and Willis Island. The cruise is due to set sail next year so you’ve got plenty of time to plan ahead and prepare for the relaxing holiday