Southern Great Barrier Reef
The Southern Great Barrier Reef kicks off at Bundaberg
The Southern Great Barrier Reef kicks off at Bundaberg, and once you’re here, “wow” will be your new default. White sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and coral gardens begging to be swum through are just the start. Swim with turtles and hang with our manta rays.
Snorkel among one of Australia’s best natural playgrounds, or visit between November and March to catch mother turtles doing their thing and tiny hatchlings making a mad dash to the sea. For the full hit, stay overnight on Lady Elliot or Lady Musgrave Island and watch the sun rise over the reef like it doesn’t have a care in the world.
ISLANDS
to Explore
Lady Elliot Island and Lady Musgrave Island are the Southern Great Barrier Reef’s quiet achievers. Come for the snorkelling, stay for the kind of reef time that makes hours disappear. Spend the day exploring or soak up the sun, then stay the night and wake up with the reef right on your doorstep. No crowds, no filters, just the good stuff.
Reef
Seasonality
There’s always something going on out here. The reef is alive year-round with colourful fish, turtles and coral gardens you can explore any time. From November to March, turtle tracks criss-cross the beaches as mums’ nests and hatchlings make a break for the sea. Between July and November, humpback whales cruise past on their annual migration. And if manta rays are on your wishlist, Lady Elliot Island is a hotspot, with sightings at Lady Musgrave Island year-round and peak season from May to August.
