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The Great Barrier Reef is the largest and most extensive coral reef system in the world comprising about 2900 individual coral reefs, 600 continental islands and 300 coral cays.

It is 2300 km long and approximately 350 000 km2 in size. That’s about 70 million football fields or the size of Japan!

It is the largest natural feature on earth and its impressive size makes it the only living structure that can be seen from the moon.

The Great Barrier Reef is home to:

• more than 30 species of whales and dolphins
• 1625 species of fish
• 411 species of hard coral and over 150 species of soft coral (equates to 10% of the world’s soft coral)
• as many as 3000 species of molluscs
• 6 of the world’s 7 species of marine turtles
• Giant clams over 120 years old
• Millions of nesting seabirds

The World’s Best Marine Wildlife

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The Great Barrier Reef is one of the richest and most diverse ecosystems in the world. It has a stunning array of marine-life that can be found nowhere else on the planet.

This underwater wonderland is teeming with plants and animals such as vibrant hard and soft corals and is home to some of the most spectacular coral reef creatures in the world all present on the Great Barrier Reef.

Clown Fish

Commonly coloured with white and orange stripes these bright fellows are best known as clownfish, a tribute to their tendency for humorous antics, and the staring role in a much-loved children’s movie.

Giant Clams

Weighing up to 225kg and measuring up to 1.5m in length, these solitary creatures are the daddy of all molluscs.

Manta Ray

With a wing span of up to seven metres, it’s little wonder this is the largest of all the rays.

Maori Wrasse

They love to play and nuzzle up for a cuddle and will happily follow you like a faithful friend.

Potato Cod

Its large silver body is magnificently marked with dark coloured streaks and spots. The lines around its eyes radiate like black rays of sun.

Sharks

Among the most common are white tips, grey reefs and silver tips. They are usually shy, even timid by nature, often preferring to take cover in dark crevices.

Turtles

With six of the world’s seven turtle species making their home on Great Barrier Reef it’s not hard to stray upon them as they forage for food in the wild.

Whales

Each year around late June the whales begin to appear, wisely escaping the chilly waters of the Great Southern Ocean for the tropical waters of the north. Watch Humpback Whales effortlessly hurl their huge weight, up to 40 tonnes, into the air and then splash back into the water, or swim with the playful and inquisitive Dwarf Minke Whale.

World’s Ultimate Reef & Island Experiences

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The Great Barrier Reef has an experience to suit every individual and is easily accessible from various points along the coastline. There are five distinctive precincts each offering a unique experience.

1. The Wild North Precinct

A Marine Wilderness Experience – the unspoilt and remote wilderness of the wild north provides the ultimate marine adventures from bountiful fishing, exploring untouched coral cays and meeting indigenous locals. View experiences

2. Cairns and Port Douglas Precinct

Adventure and Adrenaline – found where the rainforest meets the reef, adrenalin-filled encounters such as swimming with Minke Whales, seaplane flights over the reef, ocean rafting, snorkelling and diving. View experiences

3. Townsville Precinct

Learning and Conserving – Visit the World’s Largest Aquarium, volunteer and help the reef research effort, wilderness walks and kayaking around unspoilt islands. View experiences

4. Whitsundays and Mackay Precinct

Stylish Island & Sailing Adventures – this area is a sailing mecca, with richly varied and infinitely beautiful islands as the backdrop, and the calm, protected, warm waters of the Coral Sea the landscape to be explored. View experiences

5. Southern Great Barrier Reef Precinct

Characters and Uncrowded Getaways – Feel like Robinson Crusoe in an untouched paradise. Meet the local characters in the quiet coastal towns and enjoy a getaway without the crowds.

View Experiences for Gladstone
View Experiences for Bundaberg
View Experiences for Capricorn