With Australian’s making the most of domestic travel, the cruising yachts are making their way up the Queensland coast to enjoy a winter cruising season in the tropical north. With high volumes of boat owners making plans to visit the Whitsunday and Great Barrier Reef region for the first time, award-winning Coral Sea Marina Resort has launched their Coral Sea Academy to offer their guests and visitors an EduTourism experience whilst in region.
Joscelyn O’Keefe, Marketing, Sales & Service Manager at Coral Sea Marina explains “As a business we are always looking for ways to add value to our guest experience as well as educate visitors about the incredible marine environment on our doorstep. Every year thousands of yachties visit our region and we hope the Coral Sea Academy provide a platform for learning for these visitors and also encourages more sustainable boating practices.”
The Coral Sea Academy offers a series of innovative events designed to educate guests, locals and visitors to the Whitsundays about the marine environment, the Great Barrier Reef, better boating practices and sustainability.
On Saturday 22nd May, from 10am at the marina’s new guest lounge, The Lookout Lounge, the first Coral Sea Academy event of the season offers an introduction to Cruising the Whitsundays. This event is suitable for boat owners who are visiting the region for the first time, those returning to enjoy a winter in paradise, or for those who simply have not had the opportunity to get out and explore the islands and reef in quite some time.
All are welcome to attend this free event featuring presentations from guest speakers who will be shining a light on the Whitsunday Islands, local marine life, the health of the reef and what to expect when out on the water this season.
Nah Turnbull, from Queensland Parks & Wildlife, will be showcasing the many recent island developments and encouraging visitors to Cruise and Hike whilst exploring the region’s new walking trails and lookouts.
Guests can also expect to be inspired by local Master Reef Guide, Crystal Lacey, and learn more about the incredibly diverse natural environment of the Great Barrier Reef and the local marine life.
“The Coral Sea Academy is located right in the heart of one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World, The World Heritage Listed Great Barrier Reef. Encompassing leading edge interactive educational experiences through immersive inspirational interpretation and storytelling, The Coral Sea Academy’s mission is to impart knowledge and understanding to ensure the future protection and sustainability of the Great Barrier Reef. “
In addition, Coral Sea Marina is thrilled to welcome back The Flying Scientists. The Flying Scientist program, based out of the University of Queensland, is designed to assist regional Queensland with science related events throughout communities and provide guests with the opportunity to meet with leading scientists in their fields.
Flying in this month is Dr Kate Helmstedt, where guests can learn more about her fascinating research into how maths can be used to manage ecosystems, such as the Great Barrier Reef, and how by creating mathematical models can achieve better outcomes for the environment and conservation.
“The Great Barrier Reef is huge and complex. There are so many moving and changing parts that rely on each other to keep the ecosystem working”, says Dr Helmstedt.
“This is really important for us – we rely on the Great Barrier Reef for many different things including tourism, food, jobs, recreation, and Traditional Owner values. Sustainable use and management of the reef is critical to ensure we can keep this relationship with the Great Barrier Reef without harming its future. I will discuss how maths and data science can help us to understand this valuable ecosystem, to predict its future, to examine our use of the reef, and to design better management to ensure its future.”
This is a free event open to the whole community and an invitation is extended to any visitors to the region to enjoy an educational tourism experience whilst exploring the beautiful Whitsunday region.
To register for this event, click HERE
For more Coral Sea Academy events and updates, click HERE
