The Great Barrier Reef

Great Barrier Reef is the World’s largest marine park and stretches over 3000km (1800 miles) along the Queensland coast from Lady Elliot Island, off the coast of Bundaberg,  up past the tip of Cape York. It is one of the most visited regions in Australia

Great Barrier Reef is between 15Km and 150Km off shore and around 65 Km wide in places. It is made up of over 3000 individual reef systems and coral cays and covers an area larger than the U.K.

1500 Species of Tropical Fish

Great Barrier Reef originated during the last ice age when the continental shelf was exposed creating a band of beaches, dunes and ‘barrier islands’. As the ice melted the seal level rose and created the perfect conditions for reef colonisers to start coral formation. Over millions of years the world’s largest collection of corals, coral sponges, molluscs and seaweed has been created. This is the ideal environment for over 1500 species of tropical fish, giant clams, rays, over 200 types of birds and over 20 types of reptiles including sea turtles.

Great Barrier Reef is also the habitat of several endangered species including The Large Green Sea Turtle and Dugong (Sea Cow) and is also a breeding area for humpback whales, migrating from the Antarctic . In recognition of its significance, UNESCO listed it as a World Heritage Site in 1981.

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park was established to preserve and control the Reef from overdevelopment.  The Great Barrier Reef Sections were created to make the vast reef system more manageable and these stretch the full length of the reef.

Just a Few Metres Beneath The Coral Sea

Great Barrier Reef is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Australia and in many cases all this rich, colourful beauty is just a few metres below the surface.  It is relatively easily accessible to novice divers and snorkelers and can be viewed from underwater viewing platforms, submersibles and glass bottomed boats.

Explore The Great Barrier Reef

If you want to explore The Great Barrier Reef, Hamilton Island, Cairns or Port Douglas are ideal locations. Jet Cats and ferries depart daily to large well appointed pontoons, which are moored along side the many reef systems. .

There are several ways to see the Great Barrier Reef which include scuba diving, Snorkelling, ‘Mini Submarine, on board viewing galleries and even by helicopter. Helicopter tours operate frequently and probably give the best view of the majestic Great Barrier Reef.