Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef system, stretching over 2,300 kilometres along the Queensland coast of Australia. Located offshore from Cairns, it comprises nearly 3,000 individual reefs and 900 islands. Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981, it is renowned for its exceptional biodiversity, coral formations, and marine life, and is accessed primarily by boat tours from Cairns.

Visitors departing from Cairns can expect a marine environment accessed by day cruises, liveaboard vessels, and scenic flights. The setting includes outer reef pontoons, coral cays and islands such as Green Island. Visitors can see extensive coral formations, tropical fish, turtles and other marine life through snorkelling, diving, glass-bottom boats and underwater observatories. Facilities are vessel and pontoon-based, with open ocean conditions and weather-dependent access.

The Great Barrier Reef is the largest structure built by living organisms and has evolved over millions of years. It was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1981 for its outstanding natural universal value and is managed as the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, established by the Australian Government in 1975.

The Reef is Sea Country for more than 70 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Traditional Owner groups who have continuing cultural connections, traditional knowledge and custodianship of the marine environment. It holds significant cultural and spiritual value and is a major focus for education and conservation.