Tumbrella

Where are the best places to go diving in Australia? Kal Tucker.

World-class dive sites are certainly one thing Australia has no shortage of. With warm waters, amazing reef systems and incredible marine life, divers are spoilt for choice Down Under.

Top of the list for most people would be Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef. The World Heritage-listed reef stretches for 2,000km and is accessible from numerous towns. The busiest dive centre is undoubtedly Cairns, a lively resort town with loads of operators fighting for your custom. About an hour further up the coast is slightly upmarket Port Douglas which benefits from being closer to the reef.

The reef also boasts about 1,600 shipwrecks, with the SS Yongala, off Townsville to the south, often labelled Australia’s most exciting wreck dive.

The west coast’s Ningaloo Reef, however, is not to be under-estimated. For starters, it has warmer water, less tourists and is closer to shore. You can also swim with whale sharks there (April-July). Exmouth, with clear aspirations of becoming the Cairns of the west, is the reef’s main hub, although you’ll also find dive companies at super-gorgeous Coral Bay.

If sharks are your thing though, you need to head to Port Lincoln, South Australia, to go cage diving with great whites. There you can explore the waters where the orginal Jaws was filmed.

Byron Bay, in northern New South Wales, is also unique, due to being where tropical meets temperate waters. Keep your eyes peeled for leopard and nurse sharks.

While in New South Wales, Coffs Harbour and Seal Rocks are also good dive areas.

If swimming through spooky kelp forests is more to your liking then head to Tasmania, where you’ll also find plenty of wrecks and sea dragons.

The water might be chillier, but Sydney diving is not to be sniffed at, with plenty of creatures on display. Popular sites are near Manly, to the north, and Maroubra, to the south.

Cape Naturaliste, near Perth, is also worth exploring.

Any tips on diving in Australia? Leave your thoughts below.

Ask Tumbrella a travel question below