For many people, there is nothing more beautiful than an encounter with wildlife in their natural habitat. Australia is famous for unique wildlife and we can help guide you to these special and amazing experiences!
Swim With Whale Sharks
Giant whale sharks are the largest fish in the sea. Neither shark nor whale, these gentle giants are perfectly safe to swim with and can be found from mid March to mid August at Ningaloo Reef, off the coast of Western Australia. Ningaloo Reef is a virtually untouched 260km long coral reef - home to manta rays, sea turtles, and dolphins. From the end of March until early November you can also find whale sharks and humpback whales, making for an ultimate bucket-list experience!
Great Barrier Reef
To most people, travel in Australia means a visit to the Great Barrier Reef. Usually, at the top of their must-see list, the Great Barrier Reef is known as “God’s gift to Australia”, a truly wondrous natural phenomenon. It is the world’s largest coral reef system with 2900 individual reefs and 900 islands, all located off the coast of Queensland in the Coral Sea. Just to give an idea of its size, it stretches 2600 kilometres/1600 miles and is the world’s biggest single structure made by living organisms. In fact, it was naturally declared a World Heritage site in 1981.
It is environmentally protected to ensure marine life is healthy so that one can continue to see whales, dolphins, porpoises, sea turtles, and a whole host of colourful tropical fish swimming in these waters. Enjoy a day cruise to Great Barrier Reef from the Whitsundays or Cairns, Palm Cove or Port Douglas. Three, four, and seven night cruises are also available, and are all inclusive of meals, accommodation, snorkeling, and other activities, including presentations by marine biologists.
Swim With Dolphins
Dolphins are one of earth's most fascinating and curious creatures. Departing from Adelaide, the capital city of South Australia, join a morning cruise where these mesmerizing creatures seem to come from nowhere to frolic around you. If you don’t want to get wet, no problem, this tour is also available for those who only want to watch. Either way, you will enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Feed Wild Dolphins
It’s not a swim, but the next best thing! Tangalooma Island Resort is located on Moreton Island and is surrounded by crystal clear water and set amongst the beauty of Queensland's Moreton Bay (just a short catamaran ride from Brisbane on Australia’s east coast. The resort is a perfect destination for guests seeking a unique adventure, educational, or nature based experience. The star attraction at the resort is the unique activity of hand feeding a pod of wild bottlenose dolphins that come in at dusk every night. Guided and independent snorkelling trips are available during the day, and from mid June until the end of October, guests can enjoy whale watching cruises, with over 16,000 whales expected in the Moreton Bay area this time of year.
On the other side of the country, you can also experience wild dolphin feeding at Monkey Mia. Located in Shark Bay, a World Heritage-listed area in Western Australia, this is another unforgettable experience. Each day, wild dolphins come to shore and guests can enjoy interaction just steps from beachfront accommodation. In addition, enjoy miles of turquoise waters and pristine white shell beaches.
By Meg Boyd
Melbourne-born Meg arrived in Canada in January with no winter coat, one suitcase, a one week booking at a youth hostel, and a sight-unseen job offer at Goway Travel. She thought she’d stay for a year – that was 12 years ago! Never one to shy away from adventure, Meg has been in the industry for 23 years and has journeyed extensively through Europe, Asia and North America. Meg’s heart however belongs to the South Pacific, including New Zealand, Fiji, and her native Australia.
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