Go to the Whitsunday islands hands down
 

The Whitsundays is undoubtedly one of the best places to visit on the Great Barrier Reef, offering an exceptional combination of natural beauty, pristine beaches, vibrant marine life, and a multitude of unforgettable experiences. Here are several reasons why the Whitsundays stands out as the ideal destination on the Great Barrier Reef:

1. Breathtaking Beauty: The Whitsunday Islands, a collection of 74 tropical paradises, boast some of the most stunning and photogenic landscapes in the world. With their powdery white sands, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and lush greenery, the islands present an idyllic setting that is hard to match.
   
2. Iconic Whitehaven Beach: Whitehaven Beach, located on Whitsunday Island, is often regarded as one of the most beautiful beaches globally and a must-visit attraction. Stretching over 7 kilometers (4.3 miles), its incredibly white silica sand and shifting patterns created by tidal movements make it a picture-perfect spot for relaxation and exploration.
   
3. Snorkeling and Diving Delight: The Whitsundays offer unparalleled opportunities for snorkeling and diving. The Great Barrier Reef's diverse and colorful marine life can be experienced up close, with an abundance of coral formations, vibrant fish species, and even encounters with turtles, dolphins, and manta rays. The outer reef sites, such as Bait Reef and Hardy Reef, provide exceptional underwater experiences that leave a lasting impression.
   
4. Heart Reef: One of the Whitsundays' iconic highlights is Heart Reef, a naturally occurring coral formation shaped like a heart. This breathtaking sight is best viewed from the air, giving visitors a unique and romantic perspective of the Great Barrier Reef. Scenic flights and helicopter tours are available, allowing you to witness this natural wonder in all its glory.
   
5. Sailing and Island Hopping: The Whitsundays is renowned for its excellent sailing opportunities. You can choose to charter a yacht, join a sailing tour, or even take part in a regatta. Island hopping is a popular activity, allowing you to explore different islands, anchor in secluded bays, and immerse yourself in the serene beauty of the region.
   
6. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park: As part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, the Whitsundays are committed to protecting and preserving this natural wonder. The strict regulations and conservation efforts in place ensure that visitors can enjoy the reef while minimizing their impact on the environment. Responsible tourism is encouraged, and various educational programs provide insights into the importance of reef preservation.
   
7. Variety of Accommodation: The Whitsundays cater to a range of preferences and budgets, offering a diverse selection of accommodations. From luxury resorts and private villas with stunning views to camping grounds and backpacker hostels, there is an option for every traveler. Staying in the Whitsundays allows you to wake up to the sights and sounds of the reef right at your doorstep.
   

The Whitsundays' combination of pristine beaches, stunning marine life, diverse coral formations, and breathtaking landscapes make it a truly extraordinary destination on the Great Barrier Reef. Whether you seek relaxation, adventure, or the chance to immerse yourself in the wonders of nature, the Whitsundays has it all, making it an unrivaled choice for experiencing the magnificence of the Great Barrier Reef.
The Whitsundays is pretty special the diving there was spectacular with trips out to the outer reefs but the reefs around some of the 72 islands were just as spectacular. if you can charter a boat then it's another level. some great spots are listed on this local dive centres guide Great Barrier Reef Diving Guide

There's also an amazing underwater art museum out of Townsville which was different and a little creepy but one of my favourite dives actually. see pic below

Go to the Whitsunday islands hands down
 

The Whitsundays is undoubtedly one of the best places to visit on the Great Barrier Reef, offering an exceptional combination of natural beauty, pristine beaches, vibrant marine life, and a multitude of unforgettable experiences. Here are several reasons why the Whitsundays stands out as the ideal destination on the Great Barrier Reef:

1. Breathtaking Beauty: The Whitsunday Islands, a collection of 74 tropical paradises, boast some of the most stunning and photogenic landscapes in the world. With their powdery white sands, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and lush greenery, the islands present an idyllic setting that is hard to match.
   
2. Iconic Whitehaven Beach: Whitehaven Beach, located on Whitsunday Island, is often regarded as one of the most beautiful beaches globally and a must-visit attraction. Stretching over 7 kilometers (4.3 miles), its incredibly white silica sand and shifting patterns created by tidal movements make it a picture-perfect spot for relaxation and exploration.
   
3. Snorkeling and Diving Delight: The Whitsundays offer unparalleled opportunities for snorkeling and diving. The Great Barrier Reef's diverse and colorful marine life can be experienced up close, with an abundance of coral formations, vibrant fish species, and even encounters with turtles, dolphins, and manta rays. The outer reef sites, such as Bait Reef and Hardy Reef, provide exceptional underwater experiences that leave a lasting impression.
   
4. Heart Reef: One of the Whitsundays' iconic highlights is Heart Reef, a naturally occurring coral formation shaped like a heart. This breathtaking sight is best viewed from the air, giving visitors a unique and romantic perspective of the Great Barrier Reef. Scenic flights and helicopter tours are available, allowing you to witness this natural wonder in all its glory.
   
5. Sailing and Island Hopping: The Whitsundays is renowned for its excellent sailing opportunities. You can choose to charter a yacht, join a sailing tour, or even take part in a regatta. Island hopping is a popular activity, allowing you to explore different islands, anchor in secluded bays, and immerse yourself in the serene beauty of the region.
   
6. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park: As part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, the Whitsundays are committed to protecting and preserving this natural wonder. The strict regulations and conservation efforts in place ensure that visitors can enjoy the reef while minimizing their impact on the environment. Responsible tourism is encouraged, and various educational programs provide insights into the importance of reef preservation.
   
7. Variety of Accommodation: The Whitsundays cater to a range of preferences and budgets, offering a diverse selection of accommodations. From luxury resorts and private villas with stunning views to camping grounds and backpacker hostels, there is an option for every traveler. Staying in the Whitsundays allows you to wake up to the sights and sounds of the reef right at your doorstep.
   

The Whitsundays' combination of pristine beaches, stunning marine life, diverse coral formations, and breathtaking landscapes make it a truly extraordinary destination on the Great Barrier Reef. Whether you seek relaxation, adventure, or the chance to immerse yourself in the wonders of nature, the Whitsundays has it all, making it an unrivaled choice for experiencing the magnificence of the Great Barrier Reef.
The Whitsundays is pretty special the diving there was spectacular with trips out to the outer reefs but the reefs around some of the 72 islands were just as spectacular. if you can charter a boat then it's another level. some great spots are listed on this local dive centres guide Great Barrier Reef Diving Guide

There's also an amazing underwater art museum out of Townsville which was different and a little creepy but one of my favourite dives actually. see pic below

Thanks, my trip was last November and I decided against going too far north. I didn't go further north than the Sunshine Coast.

I though I would visit the Great Barrier Reef another time.

Thing is, I am not too interested in diving. I don't even swim any more. I like views of the ocean, just not swimming in it. Part of the problem is that for now, I'm prioritizing photography so I have a lot of gear with me and I can't just put that stuff down and even do a little swimming.

If I did visit Cairns and places like that, I might be more interested in doing a submarine or glass bottom tour more than anything else.

Actually, I did this boat tour is Corsica and paid extra for a boat with a glass bottom. What the boat crew would do is throw some food which made these blue fish swarm to the boat and you could see the fish in the little glass bottom. But honestly, I liked the pictures I took over the side of the boat when the fish were swarming. The glass was tinted so it gave a strange tint to the water and the fish whereas from the side, you could see the fish near the surface of the water.

There's a show called Below Deck Australia which aired in the US last year and they took people out on charters on a yacht to the Whitsunday islands. Then the crew would take guests on smaller boats for dives and they showed a lot of colorful fish and marine life. Definitely pretty to look at.

With regards to Melbourne, my sister-in-law lives in Olinda which is in the Dandenong Ranges, central-south Victoria, about an hour’s drive from Melbourne. Some of the drives around there are lovely. The William Ricketts Sanctuary is well worth a visit to see 92 clay sculptures representing the essence of the Aboriginal culture, lifestyle and spirituality in an interesting woodland setting.

When I was on the flight from Sydney to Melbourne, it flew over this large lake north of Melbourne, like less than an hour out from landing.

Looks like it's Lake Eildon, about 2 hours NE by car from Melbourne?

Eildon would not have been an hour out of Melbourne although it is a lovely place to visits from melbourne.
The lakes an hour on the flight before Melbourne would probabaly be the Snowy Mountians lakes eg Jindabayne or Eucumbene..

It looked more like Eildon from the or, green hills fringed by brown by the water line.

On Google Maps Eildon looks similar than those other ones.