While unseen to the naked eye right now, the moon is slowly overtaking the sun in preparation for a unique and total solar eclipse. This November, Eclipse 2012 www.eclipse2012.org.au will attract star gazers and adventure tourists from around the globe for this rare phenomenon as the moon’s shadow will cross over Australia’s Great Barrier Reef at approximately 6:37 a.m. Wednesday, November 14, 2012.

For the best view of the eclipse, visit the beach or an open space in Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef (accessible via Cairns International Airport) and bring safe eye protection for this unique experience. Once there, guests will explore an extraordinary dance between the sun and the moon that eventually will plunge into the colorful kaleidoscope of the natural wonder of the world that is the Great Barrier Reef.

Eclipse chasers have already started planning trips to the Great Barrier Reef, with hotels in Cairns, Palm Cove and Port Douglas selling out more than a year in advance.

To build upon the excitement and further celebrate the twilight sensation, Tourism Queensland has partnered with Summit Entertainment on two “Twilight Saga” sweepstakes at U.S. retail giants Target and Walmart.com where fans can enter for a chance to win a trip to Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef. Twenty winners will be selected, and entrants can find out more information at: https://isleesmesweeps.brandmovers.net/ for the Target sweepstakes, and https://breakingdawnpremiere.brandmovers.net/ for the Walmart.com sweepstakes.

An adventure filled with oceanography and astronomy waits in Queensland during this rare celestial event. Australian travel experts, Down Under Answers are offering a travel package title “Naturally Stunning Cairns”, which mirrors that of the “Twilight Saga” sweepstakes winners’ prize.  To book your visit to Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef with Down Under Answers, visit www.destinationqueensland.com/eclipse.