Ocean Wonders of Australia – 10 Things to Discover

No matter if you live in Australia or are just visiting, you’re surely aware of how vast the continent is and how many wonders it is home to. If you prefer marine animal encounters and exploring everything the oceans have to offer, here are some amazing things that you can discover when in the Land Down Under.

The Great Barrier Reef, Queensland

Starting with a staple everyone is familiar with – the Great Barrier Reef. This 2,600-kilometer-long reef that consists of over 900 islands is probably the first thing you think of when you want to see some marine animals. Home to an astounding assortment of creatures, here you can find sharks, turtles, dugongs, and 1,500 fish species. You’ll be glad to hear that the Great Barrier Reef can be accessed by road, bus, rail, sea, and air so planning a visit shouldn’t be too complicated. Probably the best time to visit this area is between June and October if you want to see minke and humpback whales while the period from December to February offers warmer water and great visibility

Tinderbox Marine Reserve, Tasmania

If you plan on visiting Tasmania, make sure you include the Tinderbox Marine Reserve on your itinerary. Located just 45 minutes away from Hobart, this spot has plenty of attractions that divers love. For example, you can spot the Tasmanian numbfish, spiny pipehorse, and big-bellied seahorse. Tinderbox Bay is where you want to go for snorkeling while the currents around Piersons Point are great for scuba divers. Even though the water is more pleasant in the summer, visibility is better during the winter months so plan your trip accordingly.

Port Phillip Heads Marine National Park, Victoria

Victoria is not lacking either when it comes to protected marine areas. For example, you can visit the Port Phillip Heads Marine National Park, located approximately 60 kilometers from Melbourne. This national park consists of six sites that you can explore: Swan Bay, Pope’s Eye, Mud Islands, Portsea Hole, Point Nepean, and Point Lonsdale. Although each area has its own attractions, you should be able to spot Burrunan dolphins, Australian fur seals, seahorses, stingrays, and a wide array of marine invertebrates.

Solitary Islands Marine Park, New South Wales

When in NSW, don’t miss out on the Solitary Islands Marine Park. What is more, you can also go on a trip here if you find yourself in Queensland, as this 75-kilometer-long marine park goes from Coffs Harbour to Plover Island. As it covers over 70,000 hectares, you will get to encounter some amazing marine life. In addition to plenty of coral and more than 550 species of fish, you can also see four types of turtles, grey nurse sharks, and giant cuttlefish. The leading dive site is Manta Arch but there are many other options and you will not be disappointed with Cleaner Station and Grey Nurse Gutters either.

Bremer Marine Park, Western Australia

Make sure you don’t skip Western Australia just because it might seem a bit remote. Off the state’s south coast, you will find Bremer Marine Park which extends out for the coastal town of Bremer Bay. The area protects numerous species of flora and fauna but killer whales and southern right whales are certainly the highlights. With that in mind, the best period to go on fun Bremer Bay orca tours is certainly somewhere between January and April. You can also encounter other mammals, many invertebrate species, and various sharks in the park.

Encounter Marine Park, South Australia

South Australia is home to 19 marine parks, which means that you have many options at your disposal. One you don’t want to miss out on is Encounter Marine Park. Just a short drive from Adelaide and stretching from Fleurieu Peninsula to the Coorong and Kangaroo Island, this park will provide you with a great chance to see some leafy sea dragons, dolphins, and Australian sea lions. Moreover, while there are conservation areas in the park, fishing is also a popular activity here.

Governors Island Marine Reserve, Tasmania

Another interesting spot in Tasmania that is often regarded as one of the best dive sites in the Down Under is Governors Island. Here, you will be left speechless once you see the vivid sponge gardens, caves, and deep fissures. Keep an eye out for a variety of fish species as well as large rock lobsters. To get there, it’s best to opt for a commercial operator or get a private boat in the small fishing and resort town of Bicheno.

Port Stephens–Great Lakes Marine Park, New South Wales

New South Wales’s largest marine park might also interest you. Home to a staggering number of marine animals such as White’s seahorse, loggerhead turtle, and grey nurse shark, the Port Stephens–Great Lakes Marine Park covers 98,000 hectares from Stockton Beach in Port Stephens to Forster. If you want to snorkel, visit the Fly Point Park while diving, you want to go to the Pinnacle near Forster. You can also go boating and fishing in the area.

Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia

Western Australia has another location you don’t want to overlook – Ningaloo Reef. Part of the wider Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area, this marine park extends for 300 kilometers and is just as tempting as the Great Barrier Reef. Some 1,200 kilometers from Perth, Ningaloo is a unique destination as it allows visitors to swim with whale sharks, between March and August. Other magnificent creatures you can see here include turtles, manta rays, and humpback whales. Besides swimming, there is a whole range of other activities you can try while in the area.

Upper Spencer Gulf Marine Park, South Australia

You will find Upper Spencer Gulf Marine Park in the waters between the Eyre Peninsula and the Flinders Ranges. If you’ve always wanted to swim with giant cuttlefish, plan a trip to this region from May to August as this is when these creatures congregate in the marine park. In case you’ve never seen them change color during the mating ritual, you will be blown away once you witness it in person.

 

While Australia has so much more to offer when it comes to ocean wonders, you don’t want to skip these ten locations when looking for some interesting things to do during your travels.