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The Great Barrier Reef, surrounded by idyllic seas and coral reefs, comprises 700 scattered islands of all shapes and sizes.
The world∏s largest coral reef region, its 2,012 kilometers in total length of coral reefs have grown little by little over the last two million years. Many places here have been designated and protected as national marine parks, and in 1981, the Great Barrier Reef was inscribed as a World Heritage Site (Natural Heritage) by UNESCO. |
| A total of some 6,600 species of marine plants and animals, including nearly 300 varieties of coral, 1,500 species of fish and 4,000 mollusks, inhabit the Great Barrier Reef. Coral reefs extending some 2,000 kilometers serve as a barrier, contributing to the formation of a rich biodiversity. You may encounter dotted butterflyfish and Napoleon fish, both exclusive to the Great Barrier Reef, as well as larger fish such as devilfish, sharks and sea turtles. |
| An easygoing, quiet flow of time, something missing in urban life, is what you'll find in abundance here - the very essence of island resorts. |
| The northernmost resort island of Great Barrier Reef, the surrounding area is a world-famous game fishing spot for black marlin. Cod Hole, a popular diving spot, is accessible from this island. |
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| Sea turtles come to this island from October to March for spawning, and visitors may see more than 1,000 sea turtles during these months. Free tours guided by park rangers and resort staff are held during this season, offering a good opportunity for visitors to observe spawning. |
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| Rain forests are forests that have grown in hot, humid regions near the equator. By making oxygen from solar energy and carbon dioxide through photosynthesis, rain forests play an indispensable role in the continuation of life on earth. The region surrounding Cairns boasts an extensive rain forest area of 900,000 hectares in total, including Daintree National Park, Cape Tribulation, Mossman, Port Douglas and Kuranda. The 130 million year old rain forest region, officially known as the Wet Tropics, has a longer history than any other existing rain forest worldwide, and was established as a World Heritage Site (Natural Heritage) by UNESCO in 1988. |
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| This 7.5-kilometer-long gondola links Caravonica Terminal in Smithfield in the suburbs of Palm Cove and the highland village of Kuranda. The gondola offers a panoramic view of the Wet Tropics in Barron Gorge National Park, a World Heritage Site, and passengers can get off at Red Peak Station or Barron Falls Station along the way. Enjoy a walk along the nature trail from Red Peak Station admiring basket ferns, or take in a panoramic view of the Barron River and Barron Falls from an observatory near Barron Falls Station. |
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| The Kuranda Scenic Railway, in operation between Cairns and Kuranda stations, was constructed between 1882 and 1891 to transport cargoes to laborers in Kuranda, which once prospered as a mining village. All 15 tunnels and 37 bridges of this railway were constructed by manual labor. The train runs along the Barron River, passes through Barron Gorge National Park and takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes from Cairns to Kuranda Station. |
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City >Cairns/World Heritage Sites
