Destinations

Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is the largest reef structure in the world and stretches over 2,000 kilometres. It can even be seen from the Moon!

Protected by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, this area is larger than Great Britain and harbours 400 types of hard and soft coral, sea creatures, brightly coloured fish and turtles, surrounding numerous exotic islands.

The coloured coral expanses just below the surface of the warm, crystal clear tropical waters are home to an unbelievable array of sea life.

Do a day tour and snorkel or dive. Or stay dry and view the coral and fish through underwater observatories. Take a sailing catamaran, a fast wavepiercer or a more intimate dive vessel.

Meet naturalist and marine biologists who can share their insights on this incredible natural place. Or get a bird’s eye view as you could fly above it. Of course you can join an extended dive trip or stay on an island.

Some islands have resorts, ranging from 'family friendly' to exclusive hide-aways. Others are uninhabited paradises where you can pitch a tent under the stars on the beach and hike through rainforest covered hills.

Queensland's Great Barrier Reef region is also an unforgettable taste experience. The local beef, seafood and tropical farm produce provide the basis for magic dishes. From sophisticated haute cuisine to the simplest alfresco blackboard menu, Queensland serves it up fresh, day and night.

This is one of the great holiday destinations of the world - partly because of its expanse and natural splendour, and partly because it hugs the coast of one of the world's friendliest places: sunny, tropical Queensland. Enjoy!

Other fast facts about the Great Barrier Reef:

• It is the only living organism that can be seen from outer space.
• It is the only natural wonder of the world that is underwater and it attracted World Heritage Area protections in 1981.
• It covers an area of 348,000sq m, larger than the United Kingdom, Holland and Switzerland combined and half the size of Texas.
• It is 2,300km long, dwarfing the next longest contender, the Belize Barrier Reef which stands at 290km.
• The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park is made up of 2900 reefs. Of these, 760 are fringing reefs surrounding islands and a further 300 are coral cays.
• 1.6 million people visit the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park each year, only accessing a relatively small section of the park.

CLICK HERE for more information about the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef.