Australia 2026

I’ve been to the GBR myself a couple of times and throughly recommend catching the ferry from Cairns to Green Island. Once you arrive on Green Island, you can snorkel off the reef by yourself and I saw green sea turtles, rays and a vast array of fish.

On the return ferry ride I saw a video promoting paid scuba diving excursions, but everything in the video I’d already seen by myself. The waters are teaming with life.
Do you recommend going on your own? Tours often offer special experiences that aren't possible on your own, but I don't know if that's the case here. Your suggestion is interesting...
 
Do you recommend going on your own? Tours often offer special experiences that aren't possible on your own, but I don't know if that's the case here. Your suggestion is interesting...

Beyond getting the ferry to Green Island, I’d recommend doing your own thing (as did most of the people visiting that day). Like I say, nearly everything you’d expect to see doing guided scuba diving can be seen by yourself snorkelling off the reef (at least that was my experience both times).

I also visited Fitzroy Island on the first trip, but I didn’t see a fraction of the marine life I saw off Green Island.
 
It's possible to visit in one day Green Island and Michaelmas Cay? I have these two places noted down on the Great Barrier Reef and I would like to know if it is possible to visit them independently or if it is necessary to book a tour.
 
From what I'm seeing, we might need an extra day in Cairns, as combining these tours to the Great Barrier Reef with a zoo or aquarium is practically impossible. I also can't find combined trips to Michaelmas Cay and Green Island. However, I do find combined trips to Fitzroy Island and Green Island. I suppose I could do this in two days: one day to Fitzroy Island and Green Island and another to Michaelmas Cay, extending my stay in Cairns by one more day...
 
Hi everyone, it's been a while since I've posted in this thread. We've already bought ourflights and I'm starting to book activities.

We spoke with the people at the Mt Rothwell Biodiversity and Interpretation Centre. Unfortunately, we won't be in the area on the days they run tours, so we're seriously considering booking a private tour, and that's probably what we'll do.

Regarding excursions to the Cortal Great Barrier Reef, as I mentioned, our plan is to do two trips: one combining Fitzroy Island and Green Island, and another to Michaelmas Bay. While searching, I found these companies offering tours, and I'd like to know if any of you have experience with them or can recommend another:

- Fitzroy Island and Green Island:

Fitzroy Island Adventures | Great Barrier Reef | Cairns
Fitzroy or Green Island | Combine both tours in one day

- Michaelmas Bay:

Book Tickets with Ocean Spirit | Michaelmas Cay | Great Barrier Reef

Once again, thank you so much for your help on this wonderful adventure!
 
While planning my trip to Australia and researching the Penguin Parade (an activity I'm almost certain to do), I saw that another activity offered is a nighttime visit to Churchill Island to see Eastern barred bandicoots in the wild. Has anyone done this?

My idea was to visit the Mt Rothwell Biodiversity Interpretation Centre to see this species, but perhaps they're better seen here, and the trip is less complicated. However, it would also prevent me from visiting the Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park at night, as the two activities are incompatible. What do you think?
 
Finally, trying to coordinate our days as much as possible, we decided to visit the Mt Rothwell Biodiversity Interpretation Centre, which will allow us to take the Moonlit night tour and visit Penguin Parade, occupying 3 different nights.
 
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