Great Barrier Reef

A UNESCO World Heritage site, the Great Barrier reef is the world's largest coral reef system, made up of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands, covering approximately 344,400 square kilometres.

Visible from space, the Great Barrier Reef is one of the seven wonders of the natural world. Lying anything between 15 and 150 kilometres offshore, and almost 65 kilometres wide in parts, the reef is a gathering of brilliant, vivid coral that offers divers the most spectacular underwater experience imaginable. A closer encounter with the Great Barrier Reef's impressive coral gardens reveals many astounding underwater attractions including the world's largest collection of corals (in fact, more than 400 different kinds of coral), coral sponges, molluscs, rays, dolphins, over 1500 species of tropical fish, more than 200 types of birds, around 20 types of reptiles including sea turtles and giant clams over 120 years old.

It supports many vulnerable or endangered species, some of which are endemic to the reef system. Thirty species of cetaceans i.e. whales, dolphins, and porpoises have been recorded; these include dwarf minke whale, humpback whale, and Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin. There are also large populations of dugongs (sea cows). 

Six species of sea turtles come to the reef to breed: the green sea turtle, leatherback sea turtle, hawksbill turtle, loggerhead sea turtle, flatback turtle, and the olive ridley. The Great Barrier Reef’s green sea turtles are divided into two genetically distinct populations, one in the northern part of the reef and the other in the south. Fifteen species of seagrass in beds attract the attentions of grazing dugongs and turtles, and provide a safe habitat for fish.

Saltwater crocodiles live in the coastal mangroves and salt marshes coast near the reef. Nesting has not been reported, and the saltwater crocodile population in the GBRWHA is wide-ranging but low density. Around 125 species of shark, stingray, skates and chimaera live on the reef. Close to 5,000 species of mollusc have been recorded, including the giant clam and various nudibranchs and cone snails. Forty-nine species of pipefish and nine species of seahorse have been recorded. At least seven species of frog inhabit the islands.

215 species of birds (including 22 species of seabirds and 32 species of shorebirds) visit the reef or nest or roost on the islands, including the white-bellied sea eagle and roseate tern. Most nesting sites are on islands in the northern and southern regions of the reef, with 1.4 to 1.7 million birds using the sites to breed. The islands of the Great Barrier Reef also support 2,195 known plant species; three of these are endemic. The northern islands have 300–350 plant species which tend to be woody, whereas the southern islands have 200 which tend to be herbaceous; the Whitsunday region is the most diverse, supporting 1,141 species. 

Because of its natural beauty, the Great Barrier Reef has become one of the world’s most sought after tourist destinations. A visitor can enjoy many experiences including snorkelling, scuba diving, aircraft or helicopter tours, bare boats (self-sail), glass-bottomed boat viewing, semi-submersibles and educational trips, cruise ship tours, whale watching and swimming with dolphins.

View suggested itineraries