Kellin and I spent 3.5 months in Australia, and we capped off our trip with a visit to the Great Barrier Reef. This gorgeous reef is located off the northeastern coast of Queensland, Australia. We arrived in Cairns on Australia Day which is celebrated each year on January 26th. Australia Day is national holiday that’s observed by Australians and it’s residents in celebration of Britain’s First Fleet arriving at Port Jackson, New South Wales.  January is also smack dab in the middle of their summer; the weather in Australia was spot on mate!

Upon our arrival to Cairns, we walked along the coast and watched the locals enjoying live music in the open parks. We also took a dip in the Cairns Esplanade Swimming Lagoon which borders the coast – this was very cool to see!

There are a ton of shops and restaurants that surround the parks and esplanade area. The Australian culture is very trendy and the people are jovial. Everyone you pass gives you a quick smile and “how ya going, mate?” The culture supports clean eating, and fresh pressed juice was more accessible than fast food; there were pop-up juice stands all over the place.

Our second day in Cairns, we did a 3 in 1 tour of the Great Barrier Reef. We were able to snorkel, scuba dive, and helicopter over the reef, and it was one of the coolest experiences of my life. Even though it was the beginning of wet season at the GBR, the colors were bright and magnificent. I truly don’t think there’s a bad time to see this wonder in person.

Kellin and I spent hours snorkeling over the reef, and he took a beginner scuba diving course with an instructor. You don’t have to be a certified diver to enjoy the reef, though there are special tours designed for those with the certification. Don’t forget to bring an underwater camera and your swimsuit; otherwise, all other equipment and food was provided during our Great Barrier Reef tour! This particular excursion was pricey, but worth every penny. There are cheaper options that do not include the helicopter ride.