In the heart of Bundaberg, amidst the patchwork quilt-like landscape that defines the region's agricultural prowess, stands Macadamias Australia Visitor Experience, a living testament to the Steinhardt family decades-long journey that goes beyond their lush macadamia orchards.

With huge numbers of travellers seeking to travel more lightly and mindfully now more than ever, we thought it was a great time to introduce you to our Rockstars of the Reef. Think of this as your guide to who’s who in the world of restoration and regeneration on the Southern Great Barrier Reef! These champions are tirelessly working to ensure the health and vitality of this natural wonder, and their efforts make them the unsung heroes, and we like to think the coolest conservation crew ever.

Yee Gee, or hello in Taribelang language - this was one of the many traditional language learnings I took away from my time on the Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow tour run by Taribelang Bunda Cultural Tours, which is a meaningful and wonderful way to explore more of the Bundaberg region through the lens of our First Nations custodians. 

For as long as visitors have been coming to the Great Barrier Reef, they have been faced with a huge dilemma at the end of their visit: They simply don’t want to leave! It’s a problem that Brett Lakey, founder and Managing Director of the Lady Musgrave Experience, was happy to solve with a new pontoon where visitors can stay overnight on – and even in – the reef itself. It’s a unique way to experience the beauty and wonder of the Southern Great Barrier Reef.

The pristine waters of the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef are a haven for over 1,200 species of fish, turtles, reef sharks and manta rays. This abundance of awe-inspiring sea life is also a drawcard for snorkelers and divers who love swimming in the presence of such majestic animals. And when they do, there’s no better place to stay than the Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort. It’s the perfect place for eco-minded adventurers to come for their R and R.