The Weekend Post

Reef trip combines adventure, education, conservati­on and fun

- ALICIA NALLY alicia.nally@news.com.au

A TRIP to the reef cannot only be a fun trip to remember for life but also a chance to keep kids learning while school is out.

Sunlover Reef Cruises’ Marine Biologists for A Day program combines adventure, education, conservati­on and fun where kids can become a citizen scientist collecting crucial data on the health of the Great Barrier Reef.

The new activity is part of the reef tour operator’s mission to continue to contribute to the region’s tourism product offerings and better meet the needs of young families, local and internatio­nal students and internatio­nal tourists.

Sunlover Reef Cruises general manager Eugene Kotze said he had great confidence in the future of tourism in Cairns.

“Sunlover Reef Cruises strategy is to directly influence the growth of regional tourism by providing world-class experience­s for visitors to a World Heritage Area,” he said.

“We are the last Aussie owned locally-operated pontoon business left in Cairns, and we need the support of locals to keep it that way.”

Today, the company will operate Cairns’ first half-day tour to the Outer Barrier Reef, stopping at its second activity pontoon at Arlington Reef.

The brand new Arlington Reef pontoon will allow families with young children the opportunit­y to enjoy an outer reef location for three hours, with a shorter travel time, returning to Cairns by 1.30pm.

It also operates a pontoon at Moore Reef complete with a 300sq m sundeck and lounge area and a 30m spiral themepark style water slide.

Mr Kotze said a young guest recently broke the record by completing 111 slides in a day, earning himself a certificat­e and a high five from the crew

 ??  ?? Visiting the reef is not only a fun activity for the whole family, but also allows kids to learn while on holiday. Picture: CALYPSO PHOTOGRAPH­Y
Visiting the reef is not only a fun activity for the whole family, but also allows kids to learn while on holiday. Picture: CALYPSO PHOTOGRAPH­Y

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