On November 14, northern Australia and the southern Pacific Ocean will witness a total solar eclipse. To mark the event, stargazers are organizing cultural celebrations and adventure travel events. Click through the gallery to see seven of the best ways to experience the rare celestial light-show.
Seven ways to experience the total eclipse —
On November 14, northern Australia and the southern Pacific Ocean will witness a total solar eclipse. To mark the event, stargazers are organizing cultural celebrations and adventure travel events. Click through the gallery to see seven of the best ways to experience the rare celestial light-show.
MANAN VATSYAYANA/AFPGetty/file
The Solar Eclipse Marathon in Port Douglas, northern Queensland, bills itself as the first sporting event with an "intergalactic start gun" -- the race begins the instant totality ends, just as the sun begins to re-emerge. About 350 runners will take part in the event.
Solar eclipse marathon —
The Solar Eclipse Marathon in Port Douglas, northern Queensland, bills itself as the first sporting event with an "intergalactic start gun" -- the race begins the instant totality ends, just as the sun begins to re-emerge. About 350 runners will take part in the event.
Courtesy Alison George
Australian eco-tour operator, <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.smallworldjourneys.com.au" target="_blank" target="_blank">Small World Journeys</a>, is staging a Tropical Island Eclipse trip that includes luxury accommodation on the gorgeous Fitzroy Island adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef. Stargazers will watch the eclipse from the island paradise's 900-foot summit and attend an astronomy presentation given by Nobel Prize winner Dr. Brian Schmidt.
Tropical island paradise —
Australian eco-tour operator, Small World Journeys, is staging a Tropical Island Eclipse trip that includes luxury accommodation on the gorgeous Fitzroy Island adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef. Stargazers will watch the eclipse from the island paradise's 900-foot summit and attend an astronomy presentation given by Nobel Prize winner Dr. Brian Schmidt.
The Hemisphere Collection
Viewers who want to get a closer look can take to the skies in a hot-air balloon ride over the Atherton Tablelands, located west of Cairns. Up to a dozen balloons will take off at sunrise and stay up during the eclipse.
Hot-air baloon flight —
Viewers who want to get a closer look can take to the skies in a hot-air balloon ride over the Atherton Tablelands, located west of Cairns. Up to a dozen balloons will take off at sunrise and stay up during the eclipse.
Tourism Queensland
Most of the eclipse will occur over the water, and there's no shortage of opportunities for an aquatic viewing. Several sea kayaking tours are operating in Cape Tribulation, the stunning area where the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics Rainforest meet.
Kayaking on the Cape —
Most of the eclipse will occur over the water, and there's no shortage of opportunities for an aquatic viewing. Several sea kayaking tours are operating in Cape Tribulation, the stunning area where the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics Rainforest meet.
Tourism Queensland
From luxury catamarans to dive boats, several sailing vessels will be departing Port Douglas and Cairns. Operators such as <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.passions.com.au%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Passions of Paradise</a> are giving passengers the chance to jump in the water to snorkel the moment the moon completely blocks the sun so they can see how the marine life of the Great Barrier Reef behave during the natural phenomenon.
Eclipse on the reef —
From luxury catamarans to dive boats, several sailing vessels will be departing Port Douglas and Cairns. Operators such as Passions of Paradise are giving passengers the chance to jump in the water to snorkel the moment the moon completely blocks the sun so they can see how the marine life of the Great Barrier Reef behave during the natural phenomenon.
Passions of Paradise
Australia is synonymous with gorgeous beaches, and plenty of visitors will be heading to the beaches around Cairns and Port Douglas to watch the solar eclipse. Those seeking an even more special experience can saddle up and take a horse riding tour along Wonga Beach.
Beach horse riding —
Australia is synonymous with gorgeous beaches, and plenty of visitors will be heading to the beaches around Cairns and Port Douglas to watch the solar eclipse. Those seeking an even more special experience can saddle up and take a horse riding tour along Wonga Beach.
Those who want to experience the natural event in the wild are headed to the Eclipse 2012 Festival, which is taking place in the middle of bushland about three hours from Cairns. The site is remote to say the least -- there's no cell reception, and festival goers are advised to look out for potentially dangerous critters, including wild dingoes and feral pigs. But campers are spoiled for choice when it comes to entertainment at the music, art and healing festival.
Camping in the outback —
Those who want to experience the natural event in the wild are headed to the Eclipse 2012 Festival, which is taking place in the middle of bushland about three hours from Cairns. The site is remote to say the least -- there's no cell reception, and festival goers are advised to look out for potentially dangerous critters, including wild dingoes and feral pigs. But campers are spoiled for choice when it comes to entertainment at the music, art and healing festival.
Eclipse 2012