In 2001 I had the privilege of traveling to Australia as part of a 6-week course in field biology. Spent four days in Sydney recovering from the flight and getting acquainted with the local brews, then traveled south to Kioloa for a few days to investigate tide pools and temperate forests. Next, hitched a ride up to Lady Elliot Island on the south end of the GBR to see the reef life, which was AWESOME! Some of us actually spent a night in Bundaberg on the way out because our plane had a flat. After 10 days snorkeling, diving, walking through the reef, and partying (4th of July was a blast), we headed out of LEI and up to Cairns. From Cairns, we traveled north to the Daintree rainforest, west to Yungaburra, and east on a three-day dive trip aboard the Reef Encounter. All three of these areas were awesome. We spent our final 10 days in the Top End, mostly in Darwin and Kakadu, though we did go down to Katherine for a couple of days. Great trip and I can't wait to go back- can't believe its been over four years now.