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Day Trip to the Great Barrier Reef

Day Trip to the Great Barrier Reef

When in Cairns, one cannot afford to miss even just a day tour of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). You may book online to save you time and effort in planning your GBR trip. My aunt signed us up for a day tour with the Great Adventures Group that covers Green Island as well as a portion of the outer reef called Moore Reef.

The tour costs AUD238/₱9,950 per person and is inclusive of the following; hotel transfers, 2 hours of stay in Green Island, 3 hours at the outer reef platform with hot and cold meals plus coffee or tea, free use of snorkeling gears and coral reef viewing tour in their semi-submersible submarines for those who don't want to swim.


You may proceed directly at the Cairns Marina if you failed to book online. They have daily tours that starts at 9:00AM and ends around 5:00PM. 


I was expecting to get sea sick during our catamaran cruise with the huge waves and all that but glad it didn't triggered my motion sickness.


Except for my aunt! Here she is giving me a fake smile onboard the catamaran despite feeling nauseous during the whole trip.


Anyway, here's Green Island. Weather wasn't good that day but I can imagine how blue-er the water can be if it were sunny.


I apologize in advanced for my haggard wet look. It rained during our 2-hour stay in Green Island and had no choice but to get a rain coat just so we could walk around. Swimming wasn't an option because I prefer to swim on our next stop which was Moore Reef.

 
While in Green Island, we sat in Reflections Pool Bar. I then realized that the island reminded me so much of Dos Palmas in Palawan. There's a hotel in the island just in case you want to stay longer. ;)

We left before 12PM and moved on to Moore Reef which is 45-50 minutes away from Green Island.


Here we are in the pontoon waiting for our buffet lunch. Our group consists mostly of Chinese and Japanese tourists.


Like I said earlier, you may borrow snorkeling gears and life vest. Other water activities such as scuba diving, etc. are charged separately through cash or card payment.

 
Apart from snorkeling, I really wanted to try the scubadoo. Parang very chillax lang under the water. But then travel gods had a different activity for us:


BOOM! I mean seriously, there's no other way to enjoy the view of the GBR but above the sea!


Check out this video I made from our first ever helicopter ride over the Great Barrier Reef. Enjoy! ;)

The 10-minute scenic helicopter ride (which is AUD159/₱6,600 per person) is optional but it's definitely an experience worth remembering and sharing too! ;) FYI, my plans of  snorkeling and scubadoo failed to push through because of motion sickness after the heli ride. Sucks balls! Haha. Di bale, next time.  

Again, THANK YOU SO MUCH to my aunt and cousin. Words cannot explain how I feel right now. HAHAHA. Thanks for this treat, I have no idea how to pay you guys back. Hehe. Babawi din ako as soon as I win the lotto. LOL. 'Til our next adventure!

P.S. If you ever have plans of doing the helicopter ride, make sure you're stomach's not full from lunch. I almost puked before landing! It was definitely one of the worst and at the same time the best 10 minutes of my life. You only live once so travel while you're young! ;)
Cairns Esplanade

Cairns Esplanade


Cairns Esplanade

As we arrived in Cairns, my aunt officially proclaimed that I am the bearer of bad weather. Snow storm in Tokyo and a cloudy weather down under, not cool weather gods! Haha. We had two days to go around but the occasional rains made it a little hard for us to actually go out and have fun in the sun (who's obviously MIA during our trip).


Locals said that a diverse range of sea birds inhabit the mudflats throughout the year. Don't worry if you forgot your binoculars, there's one in the Esplanade Boardwalk.


Speaking of the Esplanade Boardwalk, it is the perfect place for cyclists, joggers and walkers. The city of Cairns offers free wifi along the Esplanade so it was a perfect area to just relax and enjoy the view the sea.


Other than the sea, we also have a view of the Esplanade Lagoon which is a huge infinity pool open to the public.


The Esplanade boasts a lot of different artworks commissioned by the Cairns Regional Council. Here is The Fish by Brian Robinson which was created for the Esplanade redevelopment back in 2003. The Fish is also one of the most popular pieces of public art all over Australia.



Back to the Esplanade Lagoon, wouldn't it be awesome if we have something like this now that DOST-PAGASA officially declared summer in Manila? I wish! Ganda di ba? May sand talaga! Haha.


Trees are here, there and everywhere. I like how their government prioritizes not only the people but also their natural environment. We totally achieved having our moment of zen here, you feel very close to mother nature.


At the end of the Esplanade is the Cairns Yacht Club.


Spotted on the right side is Shangri-la Hotel. This boardwalk will lead you to the Cairns Harbour Cruises.


After all that walk, it was time for late lunch and afternoon snacks. We're on our way to Shield's St. where you can find most of the restaurants in Cairns.


We had no idea where to eat and it just started raining so we had no choice but to try this chic looking restaurant beside the Cairns Regional Gallery, Perrotta's.

 
 
Hungry anyone? :)
Cairns Queenslander Hotel

Cairns Queenslander Hotel

With zero sleep and hungover from the Bruno Mars concert, my aunt, cousin and I are off to Cairns for our side trip to the Great Barrier Reef. Our Jetstar flight was on time and was finally able to snooze right after take off. :) If you're looking for a place to stay in Cairns, check this out:


We checked-in at the newly refurbished Cairns Queenslander Hotels.


We upgraded our room to deluxe (Jasmine room) just so we could check-in at an earlier time.


The room is very spacious inside and could accommodate up to 4 pax.


WiFi is not free, if I'm not mistaken they charge AUD10 per hour. Hashtag too expensive. You may use the pool for free though. Haha.


Buffet continental breakfast is included.


But minus the usual bacon and eggs that you need to order as extra. I now truly believe that Australia is one of the most expensive places to live in.

Cairns Queenslander Hotel is within the 2km walking distance to Cairns Esplanade, Shields St. (where they have the most number of restaurants and shops) and Esplanade Swimming Lagoon (which by the way is an infinity pool and is open to the public!). 
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