Cairns Australia

Day 45 of 164 Days Around the World Cruise

Keep watching to the end to see our special guest “Trudy”.

GREAT BARRIER REEF

Stretching for 1,400 miles along the Queensland coast, the Great Barrier Reef is the only structure composed of living creatures visible from space. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, often called the Eighth Wonder of the World, encompasses 2,900 separate reefs, 600 islands and 300 cays. Each harbors an astonishing variety of marine life, including 360 types of brightly hued hard coral and more than 1,500 species of fish. The waters in this region of the Coral Sea are remarkably clear, affording a unique glimpse of life underwater, even for ship passengers. Vibrant coral, green sea turtles, dolphins and any number of other creatures might be seen deep below the aquamarine surface. Viking Daily

CAIRNS

Queensland's seaside resort town, Cairns is the gateway to a rich array of natural beauty onshore and off. Catamarans and other ships take marine lovers to the Great Barrier Reef; stretching for 1,400 miles, it is the largest continuous coral reef system on Earth. Inland, the wet tropics have given rise to Daintree and Kuranda National Parks, vast rainforest systems of extraordinary biodiversity and a profusion of birdlife. For all its appeal to outdoor enthusiasts, Cairns's thriving culture is a pleasure to absorb from outdoor cafés or along the scenic waterfront promenade. The city's rich history lives on in its many heritage-listed buildings and memorials, many of them lining popular Abbott Street.