Most Tourist Sites Unaffected by Cyclone

LOS ANGELES - Vacationers headed to Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef should not change their plans in the aftermath of Cyclone Larry, according to Tourism Australia.

"Some perceive that there was a lot of damage to the tourism areas and Reef, and they're wondering if they should stay away from Cairns or change their plans, but they really shouldn't," according to Kristen Malaby, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles office of Tourism Australia. "The good news is that Cairns and the regions north, including Palm Cove and Port Douglas, are back in business. All tours North of Cairns and to Kuranda, including the Reef trips, are back in action."

Early reports also suggest that the cyclone caused minimal damage to the Great Barrier Reef, which is one of the best diving sites in the world and a top attraction for tourists to Australia.

Tropical North Queensland's Great Barrier Reef operators, which run trips north from Cairns north, are running normally as are Frankland Island Cruises and Port Hinchinbrook Resort and Marina.

Also unaffected are attractions like the Billabong Sanctuary, Reef Headquarters Aquarium, Brolga Dreaming Cultural Centre and the Museum of Tropical Queensland.

Airport and seaport operations in Cairns are normal as well. Tours that were scheduled to head south of Cairns — the region hardest hit — are being rerouted, Malaby added.

However, vacationers on road trips or bus tours may find their itineraries affected by road closures in some areas to the south of Cairns and to the southern areas of the Cairns Highlands/Atherton Tablelands. A list of road closures may be viewed at http://www.racq.com.au (click on "Road Conditions Report").

Passenger service aboard Queensland Rail between Cairns and Townsville has also been disrupted, but the Kuranda Scenic Railway is operating normally.

In North Queensland, however, some places did experience damage, including Hinchinbrook Island Resort and Voyages' Dunk and Bedarra Island, and will be closed until early April or thereabouts.

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Services have closed national parks for cleanups and safety inspections. Details are available at http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/projects/park/news.cgi.

For more information on the impact of Cyclone Larry, visit http://www.tropicalaustralia.com.au.

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