Great Barrier Reef - Accommodations and Economy

The accommodations near the reef are numerous: you have a wide array of choices between hotels, motels, apartments, cabins, tents and resorts. For backpackers there are several hostels available which also offer pick ups by bus and car rentals are available as well. A valid drivers licence is often more then enough to drive yourself from A to B or Z for that matter.

In case you rather venture out on your own without having to check in at a certain time, a rental camper van or a luxury motor home might suit you better. Make inquiries before you pitch a tent: some Islands do not allow camping and for others you may need to obtain a special permit from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Parks.

You can forget to pack winter clothes: the reef has a pleasurable tropical climate and the average maximum temperatures are 87.8 F (31.4 C) and an average minimum of 62.6 F (17.0 C). Depending on what time of year you plan on going, you may need some rain clothes though. The dry season is mainly from April to November, while the monsoons start between November and March.

Even if you forgot something, besides the many restaurants, bars and clubs, there are many malls, shops and market places in and around the larger cities and several have even set up shop in the hotels.

Australia does not require any immunisations, unless you have been around Yellow Fever outbreaks. It may be wise though to check before booking. Health policies are liable to changed, keeping the Swine Flu in mind. What you do need is a current passport or maybe even a visitor's visa. That is easily checked with an Australian consulate.

Money-wise, Traveller's cheques and credit cards are accepted in most locations and the ATMs are open 24/7. Exchanging your currency can take place at the airports, certain bureaus in and around the cities and banks. The exchange rate at this moment: $1 American Dollar is $ 1.2443 Australian Dollar.

Want to send postcards? Stamps can be bought at hotels and post offices of course. The latter however are only located in the larger cities and are closed during the weekend. As far as shopping goes, many stores and malls may be open all week and all hours, but not all shops are. You may want to look in to that upon arrival; it could save you some grief.