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national landscapes
The Great Barrier Reef
A vast and intricate tapestry
Considered one of the wonders of the natural
world, the Great Barrier Reef National Landscape
is a rich tapestry of coral reefs, islands and cays,
which stretches for more than 2,300 kilometres
from Lady Elliot Island off Bundaberg to beyond
Cape York at the tip of north-eastern Australia.
Described as the tropical rainforest of the ocean, this intricate living
environment of extraordinary marine diversity is the world’s largest coral
reef system, so large that it can be seen from space.
More than 70 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander traditional clans share
a relationship with this landscape, whose connection can be traced back
more than 50,000 years. The Far North regions around Cape York and
Torres Strait have the strongest Indigenous cultural links.
The Reef is a gateway to visitors wishing to explore this vivid labyrinth of
life hidden below the surface. Here, some of the best snorkelling, diving
and marine wildlife encounters in the world can be found including
marine species like turtles, dolphins, dwarf minke and humpback whales,
potato cod, Maori wrasse, clown fish and manta rays. It is also home to
some of the world’s best sailing adventures.
Along the coastline lie some of Queensland’s most important regional
cities such as Bundaberg, Rockhampton, Mackay, Townsville and Cairns.
Those seeking a wilderness experience will find the wild north of
Cooktown to Cape York offers journeys of unpredictability along
untouched coastlines.
For adventure, Cairns and Port Douglas are the places where almost any
possible reef experience can be found - from snorkelling and diving to
skydiving and helicopter tours.
The southern Great Barrier Reef is symbolised by uncrowded getaways
and smaller scale operators providing tours with a local flavour. It is
less visited than some other regions of the reef and lays claim to the
Capricorn Bunker Group, home to the renowned Heron and Lady Elliot
islands. The region is also home to the labyrinth of reefs known as the
Swains, a popular fishing destination.
All along the Great Barrier Reef there are opportunities to get up-close
and personal with some amazing creatures, both large and small. At
the right time and place, visitors can witness natural events on a grand
scale, such as the massive annual coral spawning, turtle hatching and
humpback whale migrations.
The Great Barrier Reef is managed by the Great Barrier Reef Marine
Park Authority (GBRMPA) and is widely recognised as one of the best
managed marine protected areas in the world. In 1981 it became the
first coral reef to be declared a World Heritage Area. The GBRMPA in
partnership with the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service operate a
joint program of management and education, promoting responsible
reef practices to support the ecosystem and ensure one of the world’s
greatest natural treasures is protected for the future.
Key facts
>> The reef receives almost two million tourism visits a year. Many of
these visitors actively contribute to its conservation by exploring
it with quality accredited operators and participating in volunteer
conservation programs.
>> Stretching over 2,300 kilometres along the coast of northern
Queensland, the Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest reef system
comprising more than 2,900 individual reefs; more than 900 islands,
thousands of square kilometres of sea grass beds and important
mangrove habitats.
>> Around one third of the world’s soft coral, more than 150 species, as
well as more than 450 species of hard coral can be found here.
The focus of the North Queensland region is on education and learning. Here,
visitors will find some of the lesser known islands of Orpheus and Magnetic,
along with Hinchinbrook Island, a world-renowned wilderness island.
>> Over 1,620 species of fish, 215 bird species, 30 whale and dolphin
species, and six of the world’s seven marine turtle species have been
recorded within this landscape.
The 74 islands that make up the Whitsundays and Mackay region are where
stylish island holidays and world-class sailing adventures abound. It is home
to many luxurious and accessible island resorts as well as icons such as
Heart Reef, Whitehaven Beach, Hamilton, Hayman and Daydream Islands.
One of the best ways to explore the Whitsundays is by bare boat charter.
>> The Great Barrier Reef was listed as a World Heritage Area in 1981
as an outstanding example of a reef system, representing the major
stages in the earth’s evolutionary history; as well as for its important
biological diversity.
Image courtesy of Chris Jones
Things to see and do
Suggested itinerary
>> Come face-to-face with the sealife and marine creatures of the Great
Barrier Reef while snorkelling or diving.
One day you may be snorkelling the colourful coral of the outer reef,
exploring the many islands, sailing through tropical waters, relaxing
at an island resort or learning about the Aboriginal and Torres Straight
Island cultures of Australia’s far north.
>> Immerse yourself in the marine world on a longer, live-aboard trip to
remote reefs and islands.
>> Take an expedition cruise through a marine wilderness.
>> Navigate through the islands, either as your own captain on a bareboat or
sitting back and relaxing on a charter boat.
>> Be there at the right time and place to witness the spectacle of turtle
hatching on the beach, whale migrations or the annual coral spawning.
>> Visit the magnificent Ribbon Reefs and swim with dwarf minke whales in
clear tropical waters in June and July.
>> Participate in the research and conservation of one of the world’s most
precious ecosystems.
>> See the Reef from the air by plane or helicopter, or for the truly
adventurous, go skydiving.
>> Stay on a Great Barrier Reef island, with choices from luxury resorts to
quiet retreats or tents.
>> Wake up to the sound of the ocean, then head down to the beach to
snorkel on a coral reef.
>> Be pampered with a massage, spa or natural therapy at a luxury
island resort.
Make a start by going on a full day boat trip to swim among the
magnificent corals and brightly coloured tropical fish, or see them from
the comfort of a glass-bottomed boat. Alternatively, spend a few days
exploring many different reefs and islands on a live-aboard dive boat
(which you will need to do if you want to swim with minke whales) or
an expedition cruise vessel. You can also charter your own luxury boat
to take you wherever, whenever you wish.
It is well worth taking some time out to just lie on a golden beach and
sip cocktails in the laid back sophistication of one of the Great Barrier
Reef’s luxury island spa resorts. With a week or more, you could stay at
two very different resorts, perhaps at an activities-packed Whitsunday
resort, a tropical rainforest resort further north or a resort on an island
cay in the southern Reef, allowing a day or two for travel in between.
Each of the towns and cities along the coast will offer an enticing
array of opportunities to get out and see the Great Barrier Reef and
its magnificent islands. To get the most out of your Great Barrier Reef
adventure, choose a wide range of activities as there is so much to see
up and down the Reef and no two places are the same.
>> Dine on the beach, feeling your toes in the sand as the sun sets over the
Great Barrier Reef.
>> Catch your own fish, perhaps a barramundi, a table fish from the reef or a
game fish from the open ocean.
>> Learn about traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait connections to their
‘sea country’.
>> Go sea-kayaking around tropical islands, visiting remote beaches and
fringing reefs.
>> Be the only one on the beach while you hike and camp on isolated islands.
GREAT
BARRIER
REEF
For further information please contact:
Brisbane
Tourism Australia
Global Public Relations
GPO Box 2721
Sydney NSW 1006
Phone: +61 2 9360 1111
Email: [email protected]
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