Townsville, Australia is a Great Starting Point for Great Barrier Reef Exploration

Great Barrier Reef
Townsville, Australia. Photo by Kedar Redekar on Unsplash

If you want to explore the diverse coral and marine life of the Great Barrier Reef, Townsville is one of the very best starting points. It’s a popular gateway to the world’s largest and most impressive coral reef system, and here are several different ways to dive into this adventure.

Reef Headquarters Aquarium

If you’re in the mood to explore the world’s largest living coral reef aquarium, Townsville is the place to be. Reef Headquarters Aquarium houses over a hundred coral and fish species, which will give you a full insight into the biodiversity of the Great Barrier Reef.

Boat and Helicopter Rides

If exploring the Great Barrier Reef from afar simply doesn’t cut it for you, there are several different ways to get up close. Boat and helicopter tours are pretty easy to find in Townsville, but a lot of tourists also opt for diving and snorkeling tours.

Museum of Underwater Art

The Museum of Underwater Art is fairly new when compared to some other tourist attractions in Townsville, but that’s not stopping it from being one of the city’s most popular spots. The art at this museum was created by underwater sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor and its main mission is to educate visitors about reef conservation.