Great Barrier Reef Marine Park

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park is located in Queensland in the waterways off the northeastern coast of Australia. The park boundaries encompass an area of 132,806 square miles (343,966 sq km) which accounts for much of the barrier reef.

The Great Barrier Reef extends across a distance of 1,400 miles (2,300 km) with over 2,900 individual reefs creating the largest coral reef system in the world. This accounts for approximately 10% of the world’s coral reefs.

This complex system of reefs is the largest single structure created by living creatures and it may be seen from outer space. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.

Collectively, the Great Barrier Reef is comprised of deltaic reefs, ribbon reefs, lagoonal reefs, fringing reefs, and planar reefs.

The 2,900 reefs are home to an abundance and variety of marine species such as coral, bony fish, rays, sea snakes, sea turtles, sharks, and various aquatic mammals. Many of the species found in the reef are vulnerable or endangered.

There are over 1,500 species of fish, six species of turtles, 5,000 species of mollusk, nine species of seahorses, and approximately 215 species of birds. Saltwater crocodiles can be seen in the mangroves and salt marshes along the fringe of the national park. The deeper waters have minke whale, humpback whale, dolphin, and dugongs.

Photos

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Photo Gallery

Highlights

As one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and one of the greatest marine biodiversity ecosystems in the world, exploring it is a highlight. Visitors should look to experience many of the different islands and reef areas while exploring from underwater and above in the skies.

Visitors should plan to at least snorkel along the various reefs. However, the more exhilarating experience is to scuba dive providing you with a more intimate encounter with the world’s largest reef and most diverse marine encounter.

Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is the highlight of the park.  The reality of this wonder of nature can be experienced from above in a helicopter or from under the water's surface.

The 2,900 reefs span 1,400 miles (2,300 km) to create the world's largest coral reef.  The reality of this can be witnessed from a scenic flight that provides you with a bird's-eye view that showcases the extent of the endless barrier reef.  However, it is imperative that you snorkel or dive to experience the astounding abundance of marine wildlife.

Things To Do:

The Great Barrier Reef is beckoning for you to come and see why it is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.  There is a variety of ways you can witness the captivating nature of the world's largest reef.

• Scuba Diving
• Snorkeling
• Helicopter Tour

Scuba Diving

One of the most intimate ways to experience this wonder of nature is by scuba-diving where you can swim up close and personal to the reef and its inhabitants.

Snorkeling

Snorkeling is a nice alternative to scuba diving providing you with underwater views of this natural wonder.  Snorkeling trips or direct access from one of the resort islands makes snorkeling easy.

Helicopter Tour

One of the best ways to truly grasp the magnitude of this natural wonder, you need to get eyes on it from the sky.  Take a helicopter tour and get a birdseye view that will leave you speechless.

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Trails

For all practical purposes, this national park is about the marine life below and along the coral reef.  That said, there are places to hike.

Park Protection

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park protects the world's largest coral reef.  The park protects the coral and wildlife species living amongst the reef whcih accounts for 10% of the world's coral reefs.  The protected area covers the 1,500 species of fish, 5,000 species of mollusks, and the abundant other marine life.

The 2,900 reef system and its abundant wildlife is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  The global community must do everything possible to protect this fragile ecosystem which is currently threatened to extinction.