Discount Flights from Frankfurt, Germany - Cairns

Qantas keeping with their spontaneous theme has just announced another set of airfares to Australia. Yes, you can get to Cairns from Frankfurt for only EUR749. The catch you have to fly between yesterday and June 28th. So surprise your partner, friends and colleagues with a trip to Australia. Don't think about it just do it. More details are on the Qantas website. We'll see you when you get to Cairns, gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.

Discount Flights from London UK - Australia

Think you're spontaneous? Well this is the big test Qantas has thrown out just for you. To take advantage of these specials you have to travel before June 23rd. Yes that's right you're leaving in the next few weeks. So throw caution to the wind and head on down to see the Great Barrier Reef, Rainforest, oh yeah and that rock in the middle.
If you're supposed to be heading down here but forgot to book the airline tickets this may just save your hide and a few quid as well.

Qantas has released the Walkabout fare for travel to one of 5 Australian destinations from £499. Qantas has obviously forgotten about Cairns again, so see if you can combine these deals with the Jetstar special to get the maximum travel for your money.
Travel for departure between 22 May to 23 June 2009. Sale ends 2 June 2009!

Perth from £499*
Melbourne from £499*
Brisbane from £499*
Sydney from £499*
Adelaide from £499*

Check Out the Qantas website for all the details and fine print.

Jetstar Offering Cheap Flights to Cairns

Jetstar is offering some great deals on flights to Cairns again. Escape the onset of winter with a quick jaunt up to Cairns and experience the warm weather, beatuiful beaches, tropical rainforest and a trip to the reef.

Fares from $AUD
Adelaide to Cairns - $119
Brisbane to Cairns - $79
Sydney to Cairns - $119

For more details, including travel dates and all the fine print see the airline's website.

Turtle Weed Algae - Species of the Reef

The unsung hero of the reef are the algaes. They provide food for the many herbivores on the reef providing the foundation of most marine food chains. In todays' world one of their most important roles is turning carbon dioxide into oxygen and food. As you can see, protecting the reef helps protect our oxygen supplies.
Large algae may also provide homes for a wide variety of small organisms. The algae above is known as turtle weed and is found on the Great Barrier Reef. It can be found from 5 m to about 20 metres deep. Turtle weed is popular in home aquariums also, playing its' part in the removal of nitrates and converting CO2 to oxygen.

The Parrot Fish - Species of the Reef

One of the most colourful fish on the Great Barrier Reef in the Parrot Fish. So named because of the parrot like beak which it uses to eat algae off coral and other organisms off corals. They are essential to the ecology of the reef and their gardening plays a pivotal part in the survival of the reef. The parrot fish feeding on the reef ensures that algae does not suffocate the reef. The coral they eat is ground up and excreted as sand.
Most of the Parrot Fish family grow to about 30-40 cm (12-16"). They release their eggs into the ocean where the eggs float until settling in the reef until they hatch.

Spinner Dolphins - Species of the Reef

Another favourite of all our guests and crew, the spinner dolphin. These playful and friendly creatures love to swim along the bow wave of the boat as we sail both to and from the reef. The most common sight is a group of half a dozen or so, however occasionally the come to join us in the dozens.
They grow to just over 2 metres long (7') and weigh up to about 75 kg (175lbs). It is one of the most athletic of the dolphins jumping out of and skimming across the water.

Canada to Cairns - Discounted Flights

Once again Qanta is offering specials to Cairns from Canada. The following Australia fare sale is valid for outbound travel departing between now and 21 September 2009 in Economy Class. This fare sale expires at midnight Pacific Time (PT) on Monday, 1 June 2009! Seats are limited so book today! All prices are quoted in Canadian Dollars (CAD).

Vancouver to Cairns round trip from $1098
Toronto to Cairn round trip from $1398

For more details and to secure your seat please visit the Qantas website. As this is in the middle of peak season places on our boats will be limited so make sure you secure your Great Barrier Reef tour as soon as possible.

Anemone Fish or Clown fish - Species of the Reef

OK, I was holding off including these little fellas, as they are superstars in their own right already and we were respecting their privacy as celebrities. It is tough for these guys to just blend in with the crowds anymore and the simplest of tasks such as taking the kids out often ends in a frenzy of paparazzi. But due to popular demand I have to include them.
There are 28 different types of clown fish, the largest being about 18cm (7"). The clown fish forms a symbiotic relationship with its host anemone and will defend its home with vigour. Spawning season lasts all year. The female lays their eggs next to the host anemone, which they then are guarded by both parents. The eggs take 7 days to hatch and hatch about an hour after sunset to avoid predators.
Now how does the clown find find his way home? Research at JCU suggests that the anemone fish smells the scent of the host anemone. When the baby clown fish are ready to move out and find a place of their own they use this scent to locate a suitable anemone.

Humpback Whale - Species of the Reef

An annual favourite with crew and guests alike, the annual whale migration (June-November), as whales swim north to escape the cold of winter. Whales were the earliest tourists to Cairns and for centuries have known what humans are now just discovering.
The humpback whale's common name is derived from the humping motion they make when diving below the surface (as seen in the above photo). They have a social networking where they hang out together for a few hours and then move on. They eat a variety of fish and they hunt fish by direct attack or by stunning them by hitting the water with its pectoral fins or flukes.
The humpback whale population has continued to grow at an average of 11% and is steadily returning to pre-hunting days, although these threats still exist even today. Their playful antics and curiosity amuse everyone and have to been seen in real life to get the true appreciation of this species.

Hong Kong to Cairns - Specials from Cathay Pacific

Want to break out of Hong Kong to visit Australia and Dive or Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef for a long weekend or take even a longer break? Well now the only thing stopping you is you, grab your partner, friends and anyone else interested in a good time and head on down to Cairns. You must book before June 4th so there is time to round up the whole gang. Don't delay too long though as seats are limited.

Hong Kong to Cairns travel from 01 May 09 to 30 Jun 09 - HKD $3,700
Hong Kong to Cairns travel from 23 Aug 09 to 30 Sep 09 - HKD $4,830

For further details and to book the flights visit the Airlines website. Don't forget t0 check the dates you want to travel on and make sure that there is availability to get to the Great Barrier Reef.

Jetstar's 5th Birthday Specials

Jetstar as part of their 5th brithday celebrations are offering both domestic and international specials to Cairns. The latest is their take a friend for free promotion. So if you are thinking of coming on a trip to Cairns and don't think your friend/partner is worth the airfare or if they are just too cheap, this is the deal for you!

Here is an example of what's on offer.
Adelaide <-> Cairns - $169 That's $84.50 each!
Brisbane <-> Cairns - $119 That's $59.50 each!
Cairns <-> Darwin - $169 That's $84.50 each!
Cairns <-> Gold Coast - $99 That's $49.50 each!
Cairns <-> Perth - $199 That's $99.50 each!
Melbourne <-> Cairns - $199 That's $99.50 each!
Sydney <-> Cairns - $179 That's $89.50 each

That just means more great times to be had in Cairns when you get here. As per always, before you book your flights please make sure we have availability on our boats for you and your freeloading friend/partner.
Please check the airline website for full details and flight dates.

The Best Time to Visit the Great Barrier Reef?

That is probably the most common question that people ask when planning your trip to Australia. The question is the same but the answer is different for everybody and we all have our personal preferences. Well there is always something going on, on the reef and around Cairns. Below are some of the key dates of events on the Great Barrier Reef out of Cairns and surrounds and I'll l let you choose what suits you best.

Reef Events
Whale Migrations - June to December
Turtle Mating - October to February
Reef Spawning - Early November, a night time event, six days after the full moon.
Wet Season - December to March, Fantastic Waterfalls and afternoon monsoon rains.
Fish Spawning - October to December

Major Cairns Events
Cairns Blues Festival - First Weekend of May
A Taste of Port - Arts and Wine - Last couple of weeks in May
The Cairns Show - July
Festival Cairns - End of August to the beginning of September
The Cairns Amateurs (Horseracing) - Second Saturday in September
Cairns Music Festival - December - Specific 2009 Date TBA

Be Sure You Don't Miss Out!

With the upcoming season almost upon us trips are almost full. So make sure that you reserve your spot on New Horizon's unique sailing and diving experiences to the Great Barrier Reef. Join the few that get to experience the reef in the most intimate and personal way. Fewer divers and snorkellers mean that the reef is your own to enjoy.