The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest and most impressive coral reef system, and if you want to explore its diverse coral and marine life, Townsville is a good place to start. This Australian city is one of the most popular gateways to the Great Barrier Reef and there are several different ways to explore it during your visit.
Reef Headquarters Aquarium
Townsville is home to the world’s largest living coral reef aquarium that offers a great insight into the biodiversity of the Great Barrier Reef. It’s home to over a hundred coral and fish species, along with sea stars, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, and many other forms of sea life.
Boat and Helicopter
If you don’t want to explore the Great Barrier Reef from afar, you can see it up close by joining one of the boat and helicopter tours from Townsville. Diving and snorkeling tours are also pretty popular with the tourists visiting this city.
Museum of Underwater Art
One of Townsville’s most recently launched tourist attractions, MOUA is Australia’s only underwater museum at this point in time. Its main vision is to inspire and educate the globe about reef conservation through the art created by underwater sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor.
