Hardy Reef, QUEENSLAND
Airing Date: Dec 1st, 2003
Hardy Reef in Queensland is about a two-hour boat ride from Hamilton Island and forms part of the Great Barrier Reef, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.
Fantasea Cruises provides transport to ReefWorld - two floating pontoons that hold around 500 people.
Here you can experience a variety of underwater adventures, including snorkelling, a mini submarine, an underwater viewing chamber or just soak up the rays on the deck.
The reef is absolutely awesome for experienced divers, but anyone can take part in an introductory dive.
Learning to dive is simple - first timer divers receive a 20 minute briefing before descending 10 metres into the Moon Pool in a suspended cage. Down below divers can experience some of The Great Barrier Reef's 1500 species of fish, 400 species of coral and approximately 4000 different types of molluscs.
Visitors can enjoy a day trip to the reef or even stay overnight in the middle of the ocean, right on top of the reef. The pontoon is equipped with one double room and one quad room, and can accommodate a maximum of six guests.
The middle of the ocean might be the last place you'd expect to find fine dining, but ReefWorld provides dinner served alfresco style, with dishes such as pan fried fish in lemon butter and grilled rib fillet topped with prawns and a red wine sauce.
With some of the most vibrant coral attaching itself to the pontoon, overnight guests get to see the reef in a whole new light - after dark.
The perfect end to this trip is to see the reef from a different angle on an unforgettable 10 minute scenic helicopter joy ride with Heli-Aust.
The facts
Day trips to Reef World start from $152 per person and include snorkelling. Overnight reef sleeps start from $325 per person for bunks and $383 per person twin share for the double room and includes two dives, guided snorkelling, meals and alcohol.
Fantasea Cruises
Tel: 1800 650 851
A 10-minute joy ride with Heli -Aust costs $89 per person.
Heli-Aust
Tel: 07 4946 8249
Tourism Whitsunday
Tel: 1800 801 252
You can book a Queensland holiday by contacting the Queensland Travel Centre.
Queensland Travel Centre
Tel: 13 88 33
