Best time to visit Queensland

In general the weather tends to be most pleasant outside the hottest months of December to February – when temperatures soar to a sweaty 30C, frequent deluges drench the state and river run off can make for cloudy conditions along the coast. October to March brings box jellyfish to the tropical north, so only swim on netted beaches – but if you’re on a small ship cruise (which run year-round) exploring the offshore reefs you’ll likely avoid them – and still enjoy crystal clear water.

Brisbane (and as far north as Rockhampton and Mackay) has a more temperate climate than the far north and while some rain can still be expected from December to February this is rarely cold. For gloriously warm, dry days consider travelling in March to May, or September, when Brisbane comes to life with a month-long arts festival.

...Touch the reef. It’s colourful, oh-so-inviting and looks wonderfully tactile, but corals are fragile organisms that are oh-so-easily damaged. So stay hands-off when snorkelling, be careful of fins and other dive equipment hitting the reef by accident. Use a responsible tour operator, wear coral-friendly suncream, and don’t buy any coral souvenirs.

“The Great Barrier Reef is huge, and it isn't just an underwater phenomenon. There are many fantastic islands to visit, with glorious beaches, so don't think it is just an underwater realm. Even for those that don't swim much, glass bottom boats can show you a lot of the best of the underwater reefs. Most people will only visit once, so if you have the chance to stay a week you should. It is possible to take in a lot in three to four days on and beneath the surface.”

“It isn’t all reef, some of the islands are magical, e.g. Lizard Island, and some of the outer ribbon reefs are fantastic, and much less visited.”

“There is snorkelling and diving available, as we also have a glass bottomed boat on board so everyone can enjoy the reef. We also go ashore at some islands where we undertake bush walks, rainforest walks with naturalists, beach BBQs and beach-combing. We have an on-board Marine Biologist to help you understand what you see, with “touch and learn” displays onboard and interpretation in the water.”

“The ship carries a permit to remove the Crown of Thorns Starfish. One of the most major threats to the Reef, the starfish population has boomed to plague proportions and is a significant danger to coral. The present outbreak began in 2010. So far, over 300 000 of the deadly creatures have been culled, with more than 80 reefs patrolled.”