Great Barrier Reef on a Budget

After being overwhelmed with all the choices for Great Barrier Reef tours, we figured out our own way to snorkel and visit the Great Barrier Reef on a budget. We took the train to Gladstone, then the ferry to Heron Island where we stayed for 3 days and 2 nights, getting as much snorkeling in as we could possibly ever imagine. We saw every reef fish you could think of, swam with stingrays, swam with sharks, swam with turtles, watched sea turtles lay eggs, and have the time of our lives. We give you all the logistics and how much it costs to go to the Great Barrier Reef on a budget.
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[@anitariley7086]

I’m a Sydney sider and I’ve heard of Heron Island but never knew how cool of an experience it would be! Hope you enjoyed Hervey Bay…we loved our visit there.

[@EatWalkLearn]

I'm so happy we gave you some ideas. We love Australia!

[@ghadahaldayri2763]

16:51 🤣 Thank you for sharing you experience!

[@EatWalkLearn]

Always!

[@beththomas6514]

Wow, thanks for sharing this wonderful travel experience! I was able to try scuba diving at the Great Barrier Reef near Port Douglas in 2005 due to Australia allowing beginners to dive if with a licensed guide and only to a relatively shallow depth. I think that we were less than 15 meters down. I was especially impressed with the giant clams! I highly recommend visiting the Cairns/Port Douglas area in order to go up to Kuranda and on an excursion to Cape Tribulation. We took the historic scenic railway up to Kuranda and the cableway down, which was especially stunning as it glided over the tree tops high above the rainforest floor. We hired a local guide to go to Cape Tribulation, who took us into the rainforest and pointed out some amazing plants and insects. I've long wanted to go on a road/rail trip between Sydney and Cairns and to visit Fraser Island and the Whitsunday Islands along the way. Now I've added Heron Island and its Capricornia Cays National Park to my list!

[@EatWalkLearn]

Sounds like you've had some great trips

[@allanahquinn7277]

Fantastic vlog. I think that was a great way to see the reef instead of a rushed large tourist boat out there. We did that and it was horrendous and expensive. I hope others follow your recommendations as they are very knowledgeable and you are seeing the best of Australia.

[@EatWalkLearn]

We agree! Thank you

[@user-sw4nb7lv6i]

Just watching a few of your videos. As a Brissy boy born and bred but have travelled all over Oz extensively I have to say you guys have nailed your Aussie adventure. I can't fault any of your research on the videos I've watched, Uluru, Heron Island, Brisbane. Well done on your Aussie experience.

[@EatWalkLearn]

Thanks for your comments. We can't wait to return!

[@user-sw4nb7lv6i]

@@EatWalkLearn we live about 10 minutes away from the koala bushlands, I walk there occasionally. So your Brisbane video was prescient. By the way, you picked a great place to stay in Wynnum. It's super nice.

[@EatWalkLearn]

@@user-sw4nb7lv6i wonderful! Two great places

[@latreashduvall8636]

Nicely done! Looks like you found a gem of a place. The exact kind of place we like to visit. We also were trying to figure out how to do Great Barrier Reef without heading so far north.

[@EatWalkLearn]

We didn't realize that the season was important too. Right after we left Cairns was hit with a big storm where it rained for 8 days.

[@marleencaswell4348]

Thank you so much for this video and all your information. We have been warned, by friends living in Australia, to be extremely careful of the stingers as there are very poisonous ones that time of year. It sounds like those shellfish were pretty dangerous too. We are planning a trip for next November and I am now very concerned about going in the water. I am not a confident swimmer as well. I am wondering about just doing a fly over in a helicopter, though you sure can’t get up close and personal with all those gorgeous fish. We are in a quandary about what to do.

[@EatWalkLearn]

Be prepared, for sure, but don't miss getting up close. We used life jackets to stay afloat while snorkeling. We didn't have to worry about jellyfish but others told us about the wetsuits they wore to avoid getting stung.

[@tendegreeswarmer]

I've been to Australia three times and I still haven't made it to the GBR yet. This really makes me want to go! Thanks for sharing all the details/costs, that is really helpful.

[@EatWalkLearn]

It's so good!

[@omrouk]

Looks like you had an amazing trip!

[@EatWalkLearn]

The best!

[@tcmazz]

We are doing a 10 day Great Barrier Reef next year with Carnival It's certainly is an alternative and quite cost effective as well see below itinerary Our cost worked out to be $70 a day per person before tips. Date Port Arrive Depart Thursday, April 11 Sydney, Australia 4:00pm Friday, April 12 At Sea Saturday, April 13 At Sea Sunday, April 14 Airlie Beach, Australia 7:00am 4:00pm Monday, April 15 Cairns, Australia 9:00am 6:00pm Tuesday, April 16 Port Douglas, Australia 7:00am 5:30pm Wednesday, April 17 Willis Island, Australia (Cruising) Thursday, April 18 At Sea Friday, April 19 Moreton Island, Queensland, Australia 8:00am 6:00pm Saturday, April 20 At Sea Sunday, April 21 Sydney, Australia 6:30am

[@EatWalkLearn]

That's a good plan

[@victw1]

Thanks for doing the research. I will put this one on our list. Do you have any other snorkeling places scoped out?

[@EatWalkLearn]

Not for GBR.

[@victw1]

Also. Is time of the year important when visiting here?

[@EatWalkLearn]

Probably. We went in November. The weather was perfect and the water. No stinger suits either