Nothing says winter more than pulling out your thermal leggings or wool-knit beanie. Meh. But just because winter’s arrived doesn’t mean you actually have to put up with it. Nope. In the Whitsundays, the average temp for July and August is more similar to a Greek summer than most of Australia.
We don’t want to suffer through winter! We want to chase those Greek travel feels right here at home. Gorgeous turquoise water, fun-filled boat trips, decadent sunset cocktails – and all without the leg-cramping long-haul flight. While Greece has its ancient sites above ground, our ancient wonder – the 500,000-year-old Great Barrier Reef – is underwater.
Sounds good, right?
What’s even better is you can save 20% when you book a Great Barrier Reef Adventure with Cruise Whitsundays.
Your adventure destination for the day is Reefworld, a multilevel reef facility permanently moored 40 nautical miles from shore at spectacular Hardy Reef.
Departing either Airlie Beach, Hamilton Island or Daydream Island, you’ll spend a full day exploring the Great Barrier Reef, the World Heritage-listed wonder off the Queensland coast.
The journey here through the lush Whitsunday Islands will have you reaching for your camera – watch for migrating Humpback Whales – but underwater is really where the magic happens. Incredible numbers of bright tropical fish and more than 1,400 species of coral await.
Here you’ll get to snorkel, swim, dive and explore – an undersea encounter with this amazing ecosystem is unforgettable. Or if you’d rather stay dry, experience the reef from the underwater observatory or take a ride in a semi-submarine.
After a sumptuous al fresco buffet lunch, you’ll have more time to explore before you head back to shore with lifelong memories of this epic Australian icon.
Here’s what your adventure includes
- Scenic return cruise through the Whitsundays to the outer reef
- 4 hours at Hardy Reef
- Snorkelling with all gear provided, including wetsuits and stinger suits
- Access to underwater observatory
- Semi-submarine guided tour
- Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea
- Optional activities (own expense): guided snorkelling safaris and scuba diving
The Great Barrier Reef Adventure normally costs $279 per person, but for bookings and travel between 12 July and 31 August 2021, adults and children get a tidy 20% off.
That makes it just $223.20 per adult and $103.20 per child for a full day reef adventure. Use code ESCAPEWINTERGBR when booking online to nab these savings.
Plus, since you’re there anyway, why not stay the night on the reef?
How does trading in an electric blanket and your sleep socks for a mind-boggling sleep at reef level sound? Yes, we mean underwater! No need to bid the Reefworld pontoon goodbye if you’re booked to stay at the ReefSuites.
As the day-trippers head back to Hamilton Island, Daydream Island, or Airlie Beach, you’ll head below deck to your undersea room. Here, floor to ceiling windows afford a fish-eye view, like a real-life Finding Nemo cartoon. While this is the highlight of your stay, you will, of course, want to be on the pontoon for sunset with a ‘doesn’t feel like winter’ cocktail.
This is followed by a delectable evening meal and leisurely breakfast the next day. Expect the 24-ish hours you spend at Reefworld to be as up-there on your life experiences as getting married and having children. Yup!
If the ReefSuites are fully booked, you can still upgrade your Aussie winter by booking Cruise Whitsundays’ ReefSleep. Nestle into your Reefbed as the stars twinkle overhead and water laps lullingly against the pontoon. Both experiences are as far away from a city centre’s cold winter day as you can get.
Wish to do more? You can!
Looking to expand your horizons beyond Hardy Reef? Cruise Whitsundays can take you deeper into this island mecca. Let your worries blow away in the wind as you sail aboard a speedy 85ft ocean catamaran. The Camira Sailing Adventure all-inclusive day trip affords time on the famous Whitehaven Beach, hiking Hill Inlet, and swimming the azure waters.
Chill and grill on a Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet trip, the only day cruise to maximise your time exploring the spectacular Whitehaven Beach. You may have already packed your shades away until next summer, but pull them out to combat the impossibly white silica sand #whitsundaysvacayproblems.
Plus, there is a range of Island Escape Day Cruises: choose to go on a golf tour, to Daydream Island, and more.
Travel Advisors, you can secure discounted bookings for the Great Barrier Reef Adventure for your clients here (using discount code: ESCAPEWINTERGBR). Alternatively, head to the Cruise Whitsundays website to nab your savings.
Want to chat to a Whitsundays-obsessed human? Call Cruise Whitsundays on 07 4846 7000.
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