7 day queensland cruise

7 - Day Great Barrier Reef from Brisbane, Australia

Cruise itinerary.

Day 1: Brisbane

Day 2: Fun Day at Sea

Day 3: airlie beach, day 4: cairns, day 5: port douglas, day 6: willis island (onboard experience).

Day 7: Fun Day at Sea

Day 8: brisbane.

Get to Know Carnival Luminosa

Carnival Luminosa ® is new to the Carnival fleet… and we’d say this ship is all set to make a first impression. Guests setting sail on Carnival Luminosa can expect hospitality and fun that's pure, unmistakable Carnival, with so many fan-favorite onboard features like the flavors of Alchemy Bar ® , Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse ™ and RedFrog ® Rum Bar; the entertainment of Playlist Productions ™ , Piano Bar 88 and The Punchliner ™ Comedy Club; plus the relaxation of Cloud 9 Spa ™ and Serenity ™ . And when you’re indoors, you can still expect great views and lots of natural light — the ship was built with plenty of windows. So when you choose to sail on Carnival Luminosa, can we just say… great choice! There’s just one more decision to make: is Australia or Alaska more your cruising style? We ask because this world-traveling ship will kick things off with a season of sailings from Australia with plenty of itinerary options… before heading to Seattle in 2023 for a summer of Alaska cruises. Then it's back Down Under for more fun. And when the ship’s heading from one region to the other, we take the opportunity to sail unique Transpacific itineraries that stop in spots like Fiji, Tahiti, Hawaii, Japan and more. So, what we’re saying is… with scenery like this, you’re gonna put those windows to good use!

Onboard Activities

Onboard Dining

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7-Day Queensland

Cruise Overview

• Ship Coral Princess
• Duration 7 NIGHTS
• Departure 24 November 2023 24 Nov 2023
• Cruise type Cruise Only
• Cruise code 6318

Your Cruise Includes

• Full Board cruising – Includes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Snacks. Available in Buffet & Main restaurants, also the Princess pizzeria
• Entertainment – Broadway-style productions in the theatre, movies under the stars & The Atrium; stop by anytime, day or night, to find musicians, acrobats, food carvers and a variety of other performers
• Swimming pools, Hot tubs & Sports Courts available for all and The Sanctuary * Adults only retreat
• Spa & Wellness* –The Lotus Spa & Fitness Centre with fully equipped gym & fitness classes
• Family Friendly ship including Discovery at Sea, Wii family tournaments, The Voice of the Ocean & age specific kids clubs
• Specialty Restaurants * – Includes Bistro Sur La Mer a French Bistro-style with a Modern Twist and Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria

*Available for a supplement

Your Voyage

Your itinerary.

Embrace the lively energy of Brisbane, Queensland. With its sunny climate, riverfront beauty, and vibrant arts scene, it’s a city that invites you to explore the best of Australian urban and outdoor living.

Coral Princess

Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway to exotic locations or a fun-filled cruise holiday with the family, the stunning Coral Princess® is the perfect choice.

There’s always something to do day or night, with great activities and fabulous entertainment. Luxurious, peaceful spaces allow you to relax in real style if you prefer to unwind. Enjoy relaxing treatments, such as facials, aroma stone therapy massages, detoxifying ocean wraps and an aromatherapy thermal suite at the sublime Lotus Spa®. Add a great range of dining options such as the first New Orleans-inspired specialty restaurant at sea, Bayou Café & Steakhouse℠ offers fresh and authentic Cajun and Creole cuisine, and Princess’ famously efficient and friendly crew and there’s everything you’ll need for a fantastic cruise holiday.

• Occupancy 2000
• Tonnage 91,627 tons
• Length 965 ft (294.10 m)

Life on Board Coral Princess®

Experience elegant public spaces designed with your relaxation and entertainment in mind, and delicious, fresh food made from scratch, you’re guaranteed the cruise holiday of a lifetime on board.

You can choose the dining style to suit you on the Coral Princess®, with formal casual or more select and exclusive options all on offer.

• Horizon Court
• The Bar & Grill
• Princess Pizzeria
• Sabatini’s℠ Italian Trattoria
• Bayou Café & Steakhouse℠
• Chef’s Table Experience
• Explorers Lounge
• Universe Lounge
• International Café

You’ll find a dazzling array of on-board activities providing endless fun and enrichment experiences to compliment your days at sea.

• Art Gallery
• Sports Court
• Freshwater pools
• Fitness Centre
• Adult-only Sanctuary

entertainment

Be captivated by some of the best performers at sea in Coral Princess®’ spectacular show lounges and entertainment bars with Vegas-style extravaganzas, cabaret, and game shows.

• Movie Under the Stars®
• Princess Theatre
• Discovery at SEA Programs
• Champagne Art Auctions

Cabins & Suites

Coral Princess® offers some of the most luxurious accommodation at sea and deluxe amenities you’d expect from a first-class hotel.

inside Prices from £581 pp

These staterooms are the perfect place to recharge featuring a queen size bed or two twin beds as well as refrigerator, hair dryer, TV, closet, and bathroom with shower.

• Comfortable queen or two twin beds▲
• Refrigerator
• Flat-panel television
• Private bathroom with shower
• 100% cotton, high thread count linens
• Complimentary 24-hour room service†
• Spacious closet
• Desk with chair
• Hair dryer & bathroom amenities
• Digital security safe

▲3rd/4th berths available in select cabins.

†Charges apply for balcony dinner, pizza delivery and beverages. Subject to change.

outside Prices from £581 pp

Savour the ocean views and natural light afforded to you in the Oceanview stateroom. Your spacious room comes with a queen size bed or two twin beds as well as refrigerator, hair dryer, TV, closet and bathroom with shower.

• A spacious picture window for memorable views

balcony Prices from Sold Out

Your luxurious Balcony Stateroom provides the added advantage of a balcony gifting you more space in which to relax. Savour your private outdoor space drinking in spectacular sunset views, sip on a pre-dinner cocktail or feast on a leisurely breakfast.

• Balcony with two chairs and table
• Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors

suite Prices from £872 pp

Luxuriate in your home-away-from-home with a generously spacious living space, a sofa bed and separate seating areas with premium additions including priority embarkation and disembarkation to a complimentary mini-bar setup in suite.

• Luxury balcony furniture including two loungers, four chairs, table and an ottoman
• Two floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors
• Separate sitting area with sofa bed, chair and two tables
• One complimentary mini-bar setup and free daily bottled water
• Complimentary laundry and professional cleaning services
• Complimentary Specialty Dining Dinner on embarkation evening^
• Priority specialty dining and shore excursion reservation
• Priority disembarkation at tender ports
• Two flat-panel televisions
• Private bathroom with tub and separate shower
• Hair dryer & fine bathroom amenities

▲ 3rd/4th berths available in select cabins.

† Charges apply for balcony dinner, pizza delivery and beverages. Subject to change.

^ Applicable on cruises six days or longer. Reservations can be made once onboard your ship.

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Depart From

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7 Nights Queensland Cruise on the Coral Princess Departing on the 24th November 2023

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Tropical North Queensland: 7-Night P&O Cruise

Meet Pacific Encounter!Pacific Encounter will showcase many of P&O’s favourite features as well as a range of new ones that guests are going to love.Splurge and book a select suite or mini-suite and along with a host of great benefits, you’ll gain access to Byron Beach Club, a private retreat with pool, spas and comfy seating, located on the top deck of the ship. Enjoy expansive views along with pure relaxation and a superior level of service for dining reservations, shore tours, embarkation and disembarkation. Guests will love the relaxed breakfast at Angelo’s as well as the healthy salads and wraps from the Byron Beach menu throughout the day.Guests will love our new celebrity chef dining venues, Luke’s Bar & Grill by Luke Mangan and 400 Gradi by award-winning Melbourne chef, Johnny di Francesco.The Lobby, located on deck 5 is our favourite new hang out place, from morning to night. Choose from Charlie’s, The Deli and Ivy + Brie. You can meet in the morning for coffee, relax in the afternoon with your favourite drink and a cheese board and come back at night for chilled live music.Familiar favourites include Waterfront, Angelo’s, Dragon Lady, and Shell & Bones or go casual in The Pantry. Head to the child-free Oasis for a cocktail and a perfect view of the ship’s wake or the chilled-out vibe in the Ocean Bar.Families will love the dedicated indoor/outdoor family area with a pool, family focussed fun, games, parties and activities.There are more spaces to explore, more places to relax and more things to do. On Pacific Encounter, you’ll find there’s something for everyone.

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Enjoy 75% off your second guest’s cruise fare and get bonus savings of up to $200. Plus, additional guests in your stateroom sail free on select sailings.

Queensland Cruises

Tabs view cruises.

• View Cruises

Luxury Cruises to Queensland

Australia’s vast northeast state dazzles for many reasons, not least the astonishing diversity in its many ecosystems. A highlight of a Queensland cruise is the Great Barrier Reef, the longest reef system on Earth, where vibrant corals are home to thousands of species, and turquoise seas are swirled with drifts of pure white sand. 

You won’t want to miss the luxuriant greenery of the Daintree Rainforest, the rolling vineyards of the Granite Belt behind Brisbane, or a chance to spot indigenous creatures in the wild. Queensland has a vibrant culture, too, with traditional art, music, culinary skills and storytelling kept alive by the various Aboriginal peoples who have lived here for millennia. Join a tour to learn about their close affinity with the land, with a chance to play the didgeridoo, throw a boomerang, and try “bush tucker”. Discover the magic of Queensland on a luxury cruise to Australia with Celebrity Cruises.

The Great Barrier Reef

This incredible reef system is the largest in the world and is home to a spectacular display of coral, plus a multitude of fish species and other sea life, from dolphins and whales to sea turtles. Snorkel, sail, gaze through a glass-bottomed boat, or try your first dive in the warm, clear water. Or take to the skies and fly over the forested Whitsunday Islands, scattered across the aquamarine sea, while keeping a look out for the famous, almost perfectly shaped Heart Reef.

The Gold Coast

Lively Brisbane is the gateway to the shimmering Gold Coast, popular with surfers due to its excellent wave breaks, and loved by beachgoers for its miles of sandy shoreline. Combine a trip to the beach here with a journey further afield, perhaps to the arty town of Mount Tamborine, or the national parks in the hilly hinterland, where you can hike, admire plunging waterfalls, and cool off in shaded creeks.

Daintree Rainforest

The vast expanse of the ancient Daintree Rainforest lies just north of Port Douglas. Take off on an eco-adventure to spot crocs lurking in the wild, and see kangaroos and koalas at the Wildlife Habitat. Marvel at the endless jungle-fringed beaches of wild Cape Tribulation, where rainforest and ocean meet, and sample traditional Aussie cuisine in a forest lodge.

Featured Queensland Cruise Ports

Airlie Beach

Port Douglas

Queensland Cruise Itineraries

Explore the sensational colors and creatures of the Great Barrier Reef on a cruise to Queensland. Itineraries last for between 10 and 13 nights and sail either round-trip from Sydney or one-way between Sydney and Singapore. 

Itineraries

Why cruise to queensland with celebrity cruises.

Cruise the coast of Queensland on a stylish, contemporary ship, perfect for life in the tropical sunshine. Relax by the pool, try a class in the gym, head to The Spa for a treatment, and enjoy cocktails at the Sunset Bar. Solstice-series ships offer the delightful Lawn Club, where you can lie back on the grass, challenge friends to a game of croquet, or tuck into a picnic. 

On Edge-series ships, head for the Magic Carpet and feel the sea breeze on your face in this open-air lounge and restaurant cantilevered over the side of the ship. Upgrade your experience and choose The Retreat for suite accommodation, access to a private sun deck, and dining in the elegant and exclusive restaurant, Luminae at The Retreat.

View All Cruises to Queensland

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When Is the Best Time to Visit Australia & New Zealand?

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Australia 2-day + 7-day

By ElizaSTN , March 14, 2022 in Princess Cruises

Recommended Posts

Hi All!  We’re new to Princess and currently deciding between Princess and Celebrity for an Australian cruise in November.  For Princess, we’d be booking a 2 day cruise Sydney to Brisbane (Nov 8-10)  then a 7-day Queensland (Nov 10-17) on the Coral Princess.  

Assuming we can get the same cabin for both, what would the process look like on the 10th?  It’s a domestic itinerary, so no customs, etc.  

Also, where can I find out if it sails out of OPT or White Bay?

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Share on other sites.

The Coral Princess will sail out of the OPT.

Assuming you do have the same cabin, there is no process.  Just enjoy the day checking out Brisbane.

Thank you both!  Exactly what I was hoping to hear!

3 hours ago, ElizaSTN said: Thank you both!  Exactly what I was hoping to hear!

We are also on the 7 day Queensland coast cruise, on the Coral Princess.

Our first cruise since the lock down for Covid

We just got off the NCL Escape 3 weeks ago…it was wonderful.  Really hoping the Queensland cruise comes together for us…we should know for sure in the next couple of days!

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Yes, daylight saving time has ended in Australia. Clocks should have gone back by an hour, but not in every state

Millions of Australians went to sleep in one time zone last night and woke up this morning in another. 

That's because daylight saving time ended (not forever, though, just for the next few months).

So as of today, Australia has three major time zones instead of the five we had yesterday.

Here's how to get your head around the change. 

When does daylight saving end in Australia?

It's already ended! 

Daylight saving time ends on the first Sunday of April every year — but only in the states and territories that observe it.

This year, daylight saving ended at 3am on Sunday, April 7.

Are the clocks going backwards or forwards?

Backwards . 

Clocks in states observing daylight saving should have moved back by a hour — but you may have clocks that need to be manually adjusted.

So if you're in a daylight saving state or territory, that may have translated to an extra hour's sleep-in.

Which states and territories have daylight saving time?

• Australian Capital Territory
• New South Wales
• South Australia

Norfolk Island also observes daylight saving time.

Which states and territories don't have daylight saving time?

• The Northern Territory
• Western Australia  

Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands do not observe daylight saving time. 

What are the time zones in Australia?

As of this morning, Australia has three major time zones:

• AEST - Australian Eastern Standard Time:  ACT, New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania and Victoria
• ACST - Australian Central Standard Time: Northern Territory and South Australia
• AWST - Australian Western Standard Time: Western Australia

But up until this morning, the country had five time zones:

• AEDT - Australian Eastern Daylight Time: ACT, New South Wales, Tasmania and Victoria
• AEST - Australian Eastern Standard Time: Queensland
• ACDT - Australian Central Daylight Time: South Australia
• ACST - Australian Central Standard Time: Northern Territory

And, while we're on the topic of time zones, there's actually a section of Western Australia that runs on a different time zone to the rest of the state, affectionately known as "Eucla Time" . 

It's 45 minutes ahead of the rest of Western Australia.

During daylight saving time, it's 1 hour 45 minutes behind South Australia.

It's called the Central Western Time Zone and it covers a small area of the Nullarbor that stretches from the eastern side of Caiguna to Border Village.

The zone is marked in purple on this map:

Do I have to change the time on my phone?

Probably not, because most smartphones tended adjust to time zones automatically.

Here's how to check if your smartphone does this:

• Android : Go into the Clock app, tap More and then go into Settings. Then go into Change Data & Time, selected Set time zone automatically and then select Use location to set time zone
• iPhone : Open Settings, select General, to go Date & Time and make sure Set Automatically is turned on
• Samsung : Open Settings, go to General management, selected Date and time and then make sure Automatic date and time is turned on

This should mean your phone will automatically reflect the time depending on which state or territory you're in.

When does daylight saving time start again in 2024?

Each year, daylight saving time begins on the first Sunday of October.

This year, that'll be  October 6 .

Why do we have daylight saving?

The purpose of daylight saving is to  make the most of the hours of daylight some states experience thanks to the changing seasons .

The tilt that the Earth sits on gives us our four seasons, but it also means that Australia is  exposed to more sun during the summer  and  less during winter .

But this is more pronounced in southern states, because of how far away they are from the equator. 

So, when summer kicks in and the days get longer, these states set their clocks back an hour to make the most of the sunlight and higher temperatures.

It effectively means they get an extra hour of sunlight once they're finished work or school.

Typically, that means more daylight for their free time after work or school . 

On the flip side, when we're coming into winter – like we are now – the Earth's tilt means they get fewer sunlight hours.

Why doesn't all of Australia observe daylight saving?

Because daylight saving is imposed at a state level, meaning it's up to state and territory governments to decide if they want it or not.

For a time in the early 20th century, all of Australia did follow daylight saving, but since then some states and territories have dropped it to suit their climate .

Because while we're the one country, we don't all experience the same climate. 

Southern states have cooler climates to northern states.

Typically, it's quite pleasant temperature-wise to be out enjoying the early afternoon sunshine in states like Victoria and Tasmania in the middle of summer.

But it's usually quite hot further north in Queensland or the Northern Territory, where it might make more sense to stay indoors until later in the afternoon to keep out of the heat. 

And, as we pointed out above, the change in daylight hours is more obvious in southern states .

When does winter start in Australia?

Officially speaking, winter doesn't start until June 1 — so that's still a few months away. 

Some people may think of daylight saving time as shorthand for summertime and standard time as wintertime.

But the end of daylight saving time doesn't signify the end of summer or the start of winter.  

Our seasons are a little looser than that. 

Generally speaking, the northern parts of Australia experience wet season and dry season. 

Further south, people tend to think of seasons in the European or North American sense — summer, autumn, winter and spring.

And for these chunks of Australia, the seasons change on the first day of March, June, September and December.

This is known as observing  meteorological seasons .

But some countries observe the astronomical seasons , which means the beginning of each season aligns with the summer and winter solstices, and the spring and autumnal equinoxes.

So that's why you might see some people in the UK, for example, marking the beginning of a new season at a different time to what's on Australian calenders. 

But it's also important to point out differing definitions of seasons within Australia, because conditions will be different depending on where you are in the country. 

And you can see this variation clearly when compare Indigenous seasonal calendars.

Compare the  Tiwi calendar and the  Gariwerd calendar — which describe the seasons experienced at opposite ends of the country. 

And remember that, in Australia, it typically gets hotter as you go north and cooler as you go south.

The Tiwi calendar describes three major seasons:

• Jamutakari: Wet season — December through February
• Kumunupunari: Dry season — March through August
• Tiyari: Hot and wet season — September through November

The  Gariwerd calendar describes six seasons:

• Kooyang: Late summer — January through March
• Gwangal moronn: Autumn — March through May
• Chunnup: Winter — May through July
• Larneuk: Pre-spring — July through August
• Petyan: Spring — September through November
• Ballambar: Early summer — November through January

You can read more about Indigenous seasonal calendars on the Bureau of Meteorology's website . 

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Hundreds stranded after deadly 7.4 magnitude quake hits Taiwan

By Chris Lau and Antoinette Radford, CNN

Our live coverage of the Taiwan earthquake has ended. Follow the latest here or read through the updates below.

More than 700 people are stranded following Taiwan earthquake

More than 700 people are stranded following the 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck Taiwan's northern Hualien County on Wednesday, according to Taiwan's National Fire Agency (NFA).

Rescue efforts have been ongoing since Wednesday morning.

At least 10 people were killed , and 1,067 people were injured, according to the agency.

Earthquake death toll rises to 10, Taiwan's fire agency says

The death toll following the 7.4 magnitude earthquake in Taiwan has risen to 10, according to Taiwan's National Fire Agency.

The person was found at Littile Zhuilu Trail on Thursday.

Taiwan authorities say more than 600 people are still stranded and 42 are unaccounted for

From CNN's Wayne Chang and Gladys Tsai in Taipei

Taiwan's National Fire Agency (NFA) said in an update Thursday that 663 people remain stranded following the earthquake that struck the island's northern Hualien County. 

The death toll remains at nine, and 1,067 people have been injured, according to the agency.

On Wednesday, more than 200 people were in shelters across Hualien County and 10,000 households were without water.

Dozens of people were also trapped in mines across the region on Wednesday.

• 64 people were trapped at the Heping open pit mine in Hualian. The NFA said all of them were safely evacuated around Thursday noon. 
• Seven people were trapped in Zhonghe mine. The NFA said six people were rescued from the mine located in a quarry.

It's afternoon in Taiwan. Here's the latest on earthquake search and rescue efforts

From CNN staff

Rescue teams are trying to reach more than 600 people in eastern Taiwan following the  strongest earthquake  to hit the island in decades, as the number of people injured passed 1,000.

The 7.4 magnitude quake struck near Hualien County on the island’s east coast Wednesday. For such a large quake, the death toll remains relatively low and damage appears limited. As well as nine people dead, 1,050 were injured.

There are 663 people stranded but in contact with rescue teams, according to Taiwan’s National Fire Agency. Some 42 people are missing.

Here's what we know:

• Heping quarry: By midday Thursday, all 64 people stranded at the Heping quarry in Hualien had been safely evacuated, the fire agency said. Video showed rocks and debris across a trail leading to the site.
• Zhonghe quarry: At a second quarry in Hualien , one person was killed by rockfall though six other workers were rescued. Dramatic video from the fire agency showed a helicopter airlifting them from a narrow outcrop of rock high up in the mountains.
• Hotel workers: Among those trapped were 50 hotel staff in remote Taroko Gorge, who had been traveling to work in minibuses when the quake hit. After being unreachable for most of Wednesday, three workers hiked to the hotel in the gorge and reported that the rest were safe, the official Central News Agency reported.
• In Hualien: The local government reported on Thursday afternoon that there are 92 damaged buildings in the affected areas. More than 200 people are in shelters in Hualien County, nearly 10,000 households are without water, and more than 300 households are without electricity, they said.
• Shattered lives: Residents in hard-hit Hualien face a lengthy clean up as teams work to clear debris and assess buildings for structural damage. "My mind has gone blank, seeing that all of my life’s work has vanished," a liquor store owner told CNN. Hualien's mayor told CNN the damage in the city is mainly confined to buildings that partially collapsed and that engineers are assessing how hazardous they are. Some "can only be demolished and rebuilt," he said.
• More tremors: Aftershocks continue to rattle Taiwan. As of Thursday afternoon, more than 40 tremors of magnitude 4 or higher have struck near the island's east coast, including one of 6.4-magnitude, according to data from the US Geological Survey.

This post has been updated with the latest figures.

"It's too scary being alone," says Hualien resident, 81

From CNN's Chris Lau

Faced with the threat of more damage from aftershocks, some Hualien residents spent the night outside.

Wang Qiu Xia Zhen, 81, said she registered to stay at an emergency shelter because she was unable to sleep at home.

Wednesday’s 7.4 magnitude quake is the strongest to hit Taiwan since  1999 , according to the Central Weather Administration. That year, a 7.7 magnitude quake hit south of the capital Taipei, killing 2,400 people and injuring 10,000 others.

But the damage and limited number of deaths from Wednesday’s quake is far lower. Everyday life for those in Taipei had generally returned to normal on Thursday but residents closer to the epicenter face a lengthy clean up.

As of Thursday afternoon, more than 40 tremors of magnitude 4 or higher have struck near the island's east coast, including one of 6.4-magnitude, according to data from the  US Geological Survey.

"That day was a mess": Quake-hit Hualien residents face a big clean up

From CNN's Helen Regan, Nectar Gan, Gladys Tsai, Jan Camenzind Broomby and Kenza Wilks

Residents in Hualien faced a lengthy clean up on Thursday as teams worked to clear debris and assess buildings for structural damage. 

Hualien resident Deng Huimei, 63, told CNN his house “was a mess” following the quake and though it was still standing, huge cracks had appeared along the side of the staircase and “chunks of wall that had fallen off were all over the ground.”

He was putting groceries away when the quake hit.

“I had put everything in the fridge, and then the earth started shaking violently. At first, it was up and down, but later it was shaking very violently in the north-south direction. I had to hold onto things to stay steady, otherwise, I would have been knocked down by the shaking. So I was very scared,” the retiree said. 

Deng said he has lived through multiple earthquakes and before fleeing his house, grabbed a bicycle helmet and sturdy shoes to protect himself from broken glass and debris.

“I took my safety helmet, changed my shoes, and I wanted to see if there was anyone outside who needed help.”

Hualien Mayor Wei Jia-Yan told CNN the damage in the city is mainly confined to buildings that have partially collapsed and that structural engineers are assessing how hazardous they are. Some, he said, “can only be demolished and rebuilt.”

He said children there are taught from a young age that “Hualien is a place with frequent earthquakes.” 

More than 40 large aftershocks have struck Taiwan's east coast

Aftershocks continued to rattle Taiwan a day after the  7.4 magnitude quake  struck just south of Hualien County, the island's worst-affected region.

As of Thursday afternoon, more than 40 aftershocks of magnitude 4 or higher have struck near Taiwan's east coast, including a 6.4-magnitude tremor, according to data from the United States Geological Survey.

Taiwanese officials warned aftershocks as high as magnitude 7 could continue until the end of the week.

Stranded hotel staff spotted in drone footage at Taroko Gorge

From CNN's Helen Regan, Nectar Gan and Gladys Tsai

Among those trapped following the massive earthquake in Taiwan were 50 hotel employees in Hualien County, who had been traveling to work in minibuses when the quake hit. 

After being unreachable for most of Wednesday, three workers managed to hike to the Silks Place Hotel in Taroko Gorge and reported that the rest were safe, according to Taiwan's official Central News Agency.

Video from the fire agency Thursday showed some of the trapped hotel staff in a road tunnel in the gorge, with visible damage to their van.

Hualien fire service said rescuers were waiting for roads to be cleared to enter the tunnel, where 20 more tourists were also stranded, according to CNA.

Taroko Gorge is a popular tourist destination renowned for its natural beauty. Three hikers died at the gorge Wednesday after they were struck by falling rocks following the 7.4 magnitude quake.

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Daylight saving time is ending for parts of Australia. When and why do we turn back the clock?

Clocks will move back an hour for residents in Victoria, South Australia, NSW, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory

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Millions of Australians will gain an hour when daylight saving time for 2024 ends this weekend.

Clocks will go back to standard time, giving residents in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia , Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory an extra hour of sleep this weekend.

Here’s what you need to know.

When does daylight saving end?

Daylight saving time for 2024 will end this Sunday 7 April, at 3am. For states and territories using daylight saving, the time will immediately jump back to 2am.

Clocks always swap back to standard time on the first Sunday of April.

Do clocks move forward or back?

Clocks move back by an hour when daylight saving ends.

Digital clocks should move back automatically early on Sunday morning, but you’ll need to set your analogue clocks an hour earlier when you wake up. A daylight saving-set clock showing 7am time should be adjusted back to 6am to align your clock with standard time.

Which states have daylight saving time?

Daylight saving time applies in NSW, SA, ACT, Victoria and Tasmania. Residents in those states will be setting their clocks back an hour this Sunday.

Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory don’t observe daylight saving, so they won’t gain or lose an hour.

Queensland will finally be back on the same clock as the rest of the east coast by Sunday morning, after spending the past six months running an hour earlier.

Why do we have daylight saving?

Australia first adopted daylight saving time during the first and second world wars, hoping to reduce energy usage.

Then Tasmania permanently introduced daylight saving in 1968, while NSW, Victoria, SA and the ACT adopted it from 1971.

The shifting hours give Australians extra evening sunlight for social activities and exercise after work or school.

Daylight saving also helps reduce the change of energy outages, according to associate professor Virginie Masson. “It spreads the load of networks, rather than having peak times where you could potentially have issues with excess demand for your electricity,” she said.

Queensland and Western Australia have dumped the practice due to its unpopularity while the Northern Territory never tried it again after the second world war.

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Australia’s north gets more sun later in the day, even without daylight saving, because it’s closer to the Earth’s equator.

Is daylight saving bad for your health?

While there are mental health benefits to having extra sunlight, moving in and out of daylight saving time is bad for your health.

“It’s confusing our body clock, which is disrupting all kinds of functions throughout the body,” said Dr Jacob Crouse, research fellow at the University of Sydney’s Brain and Mind Centre.

Crouse is one of many body clock scientists who say Australia should permanently stick to standard time throughout the year.

Our sleep, stress levels, immune system, appetite regulation (feeling hungry or full), and hormone production can all go “out of whack”, he said.

In the worst-case scenario, research has found daylight saving time also increases the risk of heart attacks and infectious diseases.

Do you get paid for working daylight saving time?

Workers on early Sunday morning shifts may lose an hour of pay when clocks move back at 3am.

Some employment agreements have specific rules about daylight saving pay but workers without specific rules will only be paid by the clock .

When will daylight saving time start again?

For those who like having a bit more daylight in their evenings, you’ll need to wait until the first Sunday in October. In 2024, that falls on 6 October.

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