where's the best place to go with kids to experience the barrier reef?

over 11 years ago about Queensland, Australia

some places can be a bit snooty towards kids - anyone know of a place the kids can have fun as well as swimming / snorkling? (4-7 yr olds)

swimming

Asked by

john ousby via

Travellr.com

7 Answers

+1

Cairns is the main port of call for any trip to the Barrier Reef.

There are plenty of tour companies that have facilities for young children on boat their boats. over 11 years ago

Answered by Nicholas Roberts via Travellr.com
+1

In my youth I spent a few summer holidays with my family learning to snorkel and going out on the barrier reef, and I had such a fun time!

Check out Green Island, which is a small island off Cairns and is children friendly.

Here are some links:

http://wikitravel.org/en/Green_Island_(Great_Barrier_Reef)
http://www.greenislandresort.com.au
http://www.queenslandholidays.com.au/accommodation/resorts/green-island-resort/index.cfm

We also stayed at Magnetic Island, which is off the coast of Townsville (just south of Cains). It's a much larger island and has accommodation for families and many things to do. over 11 years ago

Answered by Ian C via Travellr.com
0

Here's the link to Magnetic Island:

http://wikitravel.org/en/Magnetic_Island over 11 years ago

Answered by Ian C via Travellr.com
0

thanks both - great links ian. Will let you know where we end up. over 11 years ago

Answered by john ousby via Travellr.com
0

Also there is a Club Med in the Barrier Reef - Lindeman Island - definitely child friendly and a golf course for you plus lots of other family friendly activities over 11 years ago

Answered by Suzi Watral via Travellr.com
0

Club Crocodile, Long Island, Whitsundays... very family friendly and extremely beautiful! over 11 years ago

Answered by Peter Loh via Travellr.com
+1

Lady Musgrave Island is a true wildnerness experience. You get there from the small town of 1770, south of Gladstone on the Central Qld coast. It's a rough boat trip, about an hour and a half, so take ginger tablets before you go.

The island is a coral cay enclosed by a spectacular reef lagoon with amazing reef that you normally would only see way up north around Cooktown on the outer reef.

And it's totally safe for swimming because of the enclosed nature of the lagoon. The boat supplies wet suits and bouyancy vests and snorkel equipment for the kids and you to use.

Stay at 1770 at one of the local van parks. over 11 years ago

Answered by Paddy via Travellr.com