Family Adventure on the Great Barrier Reef

Courtesy of Heron

Heron Island is located right on the Great Barrier Reef, within a Marine National Park in Australia. Children ages 7 to 12 are welcome to join the Junior Ranger Program.

The program takes kids on a variety of adventures, including reef walks, bird-watching, beach combing, paper making, tree planting and the opportunity to design and run your own resort island. Children earn badges for their participation, including the "Junior Ranger Badge."

The program usually operates during Australian eastern seaboard school holidays or through prior arrangement outside of this period. There is a registration fee. Rates at Heron Island start at 191 Australian dollars per person per night. Kids under 12 stay free. More about Heron.