great barrier reef tours: frankland islands
A short stroll on the sand down to the islands waters edge makes for easy entry into this coral playground of the Great Barrier Reef. Simply go for a swim or grab your snorkelling gear, which is complimentary, and for first timers the crew are so ready to help and cater to the needs of you and other aqua adventurers. The crew will take a flotation device out for children and also for the Reef Teach guided snorkelling tours in which you learn about the diverse coral and marine life that inhabit these Far North Queensland island waters.
Scuba diving is a real treat off this pretty island on Norman Reef. The crew cater for the experienced certified divers and for the beginner doing an introductory scuba dive.
Coral viewing on Franklin Islands’ very own semi-submersible submarine is a great tour to view hard and soft corals and the abundant marine life. Included also is a glass bottom boat tour around the aqua gardens: turtles, dugong, Nemo; it’s all here.
I myself can’t miss out on all activities but there is nothing wrong with a very cruisy day relaxing on the warm sands or gliding through the tropical waters off the coast of Cairns.
Camping is available on nearby Russell Island for those wishing to extend their stay on the Great Barrier Reef. Campers must organise all equipment and essentials. Only 20 people can stay on this island at the one time as it is a National Park. It is simply fabulous as it is the only place on the Great Barrier Reef that you can do this. How unique is that!
On this wonderful day at a wonder of the world, Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, I ask you to take the opportunity to do the marvelous island ecology walk. Guided by a marine biologist this Frankland Island walk is a visual and verbal delight.
The island has many different creatures residing here. There is the fascinating life of the spider conch; a little spider that lives and is attached to its home which is its shell. It playfully does back flips. What an amazing existence. The flame scallop has crazy, firey, afro-like hair. What a wild creature! Baby starfish love the shallow rock pools. Lazy turtles hug the islands perimeter. Small and large clams love the depths of the water but also hang in the beach rock. Chiton, which are funky black-striped shells, dot the coastline of Franklin Islands. It is such an amazing lesson. I had no idea that all these creatures large and small existed on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.
Lunch, morning and afternoon tea is provided and do cater to all dietary requirements. Lovely salads, cold meats and a great seafood selection will satisfy all adventurers.
Quick Facts and Figures for the Frankland Islands
The islands have been protected as a National Park since 1934 (Great Barrier Reef declared a National Park in 1979/1980).
Normanby Island is a Continental Island with a Coral Cay off the western side.
Local indigenous clans used the islands as a hunting ground and for ceremonial purposes. Indigenous bush medicines and bush food can be found on the islands.
Breeding ground for Manta rays throughout the winter months.
Ideal location for observing the annual migration of Humpback whales often with magnificent courtship displays.
The islands support a diverse range of habitats and include the following:
- Coral Reef Community
- Marine intertidal zone
- Sandy intertidal zone
- Terrestrial vegetation community
- Mangrove community
- Tropical Rainforest/Littoral forest
These habitats support:
- Corals — soft and hard coral varieties.
- Fishes — reef & pelagic species, sharks & rays.
- Reptiles — including skinks, snakes, turtles.
- Insects — including spiders, moths, butterflies & ants
- Crustaceans — such as shrimp & crayfish
- Molluscs — huge varieties of shells, giant clams, octopus, cuttlefish and squid.
- Birds — egrets, sea eagles, cuckoo-shrikes, honeyeaters and seabirds.
- Mammals — the islands support small colonies of flying fox fruit bats, whales and dugong can also be found in the marine national park.
Your itinerary for the day begins bright and early
| DAILY PROGRAM | |
|---|---|
| 0715 | First Northern Beaches departure. Met by air-conditioned coach |
| 0730 | Cairns departures start by air-conditioned coach |
| 0800 | Coaches leave Cairns after completing all hotel pick-ups and commence the journey to Deeral, 45 kilometres south on the Bruce Highway |
| 0845 | Passengers alight from coaches and board vessel moored at a jetty on the Mulgrave River, adjacent to Deeral. Tea and coffee is served while boarding and a safety demonstration takes place before departure. Passengers also select their snorkelling equipment at this point from the rear of the vessel |
| 0850 | Frankland Islander III departs for a calm water cruise down the Mulgrave River. Vessel leaves the river system and crosses Russell Heads into the open sea for a quick 25 minute crossing to Normanby Island |
| 0945 | After arrival, passengers are ferried to the island by tender. Clients are recommended to take off their footwear prior, as their feet WILL get wet |
| 1000 | Guided snorkelling tour begins (duration of 45 minutes) where the staff escort interested clients to all the best coral features. |
| 1030 | First dive briefings commence for those participating in optional diving. |
| 1130 | First glass bottom boat ride commences (duration of 30 minutes). After this initial run other tours will run depending on demand. |
| 1230 | Basils Catering-catered Tropical Buffet Lunch is served under main marquee set up on the island. General after lunch, clients are encouraged to stop for a quick toilet break to the main vessel but ‘toilet runs’ are made throughout the day |
| 1300 | Naturalist-led island walk explaining the marine and geological features of the island |
| 1430 | Time to evacuate the island and first boats begin to ferry clients back to main vessel |
| 1500 | Main vessel departs island after head count |
| 1520 | Afternoon tea of cake and tropical fruit is served on board |
| 1550 | Return to jetty and passengers transfer to waiting coaches |
| 1600 | Depart for Cairns |
| 1715 | All Cairns clients are returned to their respective hotels (Northern Beaches allow another 20 minutes). Back to your hotel just in time for some relaxing sundowner drinks. |
The Tour Specialists tip
MelanieA magical diverse day out. Fascinating. Make sure you try all the activities on offer. A beautiful pristine Island. Don’t miss this one folks!
