The enduring appeal of Australia''s East Coast

Australia is a popular destination with people from the UK not only for its cultural similarities, but also because of its beautiful scenery, stretches of coast and superb weather. If you''d like to visit Australia on a holiday, then take a look at Thomson.

Sydney and Melbourne might be where most of the action is, but the northern state of Queensland boasts some of the most of the most stunning coastline and marine scenery. With the Great Barrier Reef running alongside its many beaches, there are some truly beautiful spots. Here''s a trio of highlights.

Cairns. Due to its close proximity, Cairns is sometimes referred to as ''The Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef'', and it''s perfectly located for taking a day trip out to this natural wonder. Boat tours cost between $90-$200 for a day, and typically include snorkelling and lunch. You can pay extra to scuba dive on the reef.

There are few better daytime activities than going out to the Great Barrier Reef, but Cairns is also well know for its night life. Most backpackers travelling in Australia will stop off in Cairns for a night of revelry or two, and it can get especially busy on the weekends!

Whitsunday Islands. These beautiful islands are best experienced by one of the many boat trips that sail out from Airlee Beach. A two night, three day tour is perhaps the best way to do it, and to get value, it''s best to combine it with a Fraser Island 4x4 trip if you can. The combined package costs around $400.

There are numerous snorkelling spots and beach drop offs on a Whitsunday Islands tour. Perhaps the highlight is the visit to Whitehaven Beach ? where a huge bank of sand with many channels of water running through it looks out towards the surrounding islands. It''s a serious contender for the best beach in the world.

Fraser Island. This island sits around three hours drive north of Brisbane and is the largest sand island in the world. The best way to experience it is on a two night, three day four by four self drive safari. Many people choose to do this with one of the tours going out from Hervey Bay or Rainbow Beach.

Highlights of Fraser include Lake McKenzie, a serene fresh water lake surrounded by brilliantly white sand. There''s also Lake Wabbi and surrounding sand dunes, and the Champage Pools to the north of the island. Driving on the sand is superb, but stick to the rules or you could find yourself in a very sticky situation!

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Sal Greet is an expert travel writer who regularly books online through Thomas Cook, the leading travel company that can help you to book the perfect holiday.

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