Is the Great Barrier Reef worth going to if I don't care for diving?

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There are a lot more things to see in Australia besides the reef.

If you are wondering if you should go to Oz, at all, without going to the reef, the answer is YES.

See Sydney. Climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge. http://www.bridgeclimb.com/ See the Opera House. Wander down harbourside and visit the cafes.

Go to Melbourne. Go see the 'tiny penguin' parade on Phillip's Island. http://www.penguins.org.au/content.asp?pg=54

Go to Alice Springs and Ayers Rock in the outback. Take a 4-wheel adventure tour into the outback. Go to one of the beautiful beaches. Lots to do!

Now, if you don't dive, and you go to Cairns, or another city on the reef, try snorkeling, glass-bottom boating, deep sea fishing, jungle safari-ing, rafting, take a scenic fly-over, et-ce-ter-a! (The diving is the whip, though!)

Anyway, if you have the resources and the time, GO!

Polly (who loves Australia, except for the Vegemite, sorry...)...Show more

Whether it is worth going to really depends on how much you want to see the reef, and only you can make that determination.

While SCUBA diving is the best way to see it, in my opinion, there are other ways to see the reef if you don't care to SCUBA dive. For example, almost all the major boating trips leaving from Cairns or Port Douglas have dual SCUBA and snorkelling trips. (Many of the SCUBA trips are specifically designed for people who have never gone SCUBA diving before.)

Even though you won't be able to get down as deep and see as much with snorkelling as you would with SCUBA diving, you will get a good feel for the reef.

If snorkeling isn't something you'd like to do either, there are also submersibles available, which allow you to get a closeup view of the reef without even getting wet. Naturally this experience is not as interactive as actually swimming around the reef yourself, but if you have a condition that prevents you from snorkeling or SCUBA diving, this is the ideal solution.

Check out the link below for more information on these. (There are probably better links available, but this was the first I found.)

Booking ahead is advisable, but during non-peak periods, I've found that it's not really necessary to book this type of SCUBA, snorkeling, or other reef tour far in advance of your trip if you're going to be going to Carins. In the past, I've just stopped off at the marina the day before I've wanted to go out, asked them about the weather forecast out on the reef for the next day, and then booked the trip. Naturally, there is a little bit of a risk in doing it this way, though. I assume the booking situation is the same if you'll be in Port Douglas too.

A couple of tips:
1) Leave yourself at least a couple of days for weather issues.
2) For better visibility in the water, go during times of the month where the moon is around half, which cuts down on tidal variances.
3) If you're physically able, have a second thought about SCUBA diving before you write it off entirely. I was a little nervous my first time, but it was a wonderful experience -- and right there on the reef....Show more

there NO underground trains on or near the reef even if you don't want to go in the water you can still see the reef glass bottom boats under-water platforms with windows to see out & the water is very clear & you can see a lot from the boat...Show more

If it doesn't interest you - don't bother, there is PLENTY of stuff to do in Australia, do and see the stuff that really excites you. No use wasting money.
I am from Melbourne so if you needs ideas on what to see while in Melbourne just email me and I will give you some tips on the stuff to see (also let me know what month/s you will be here)
I hope you enjoy our beautiful country....Show more

If you have no interest, save your money for something you are interested in.
I go snorkl;ing all over the world, but it is not everyones cup of tea...Show more