Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef system, stretching over 2,300 kilometres along the Queensland coast. The Whitsunday section, accessed from Airlie Beach and the Whitsunday Islands, features fringing reefs, coral cays and diverse marine life. Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981, it is managed by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and is renowned for snorkelling, diving and sailing opportunities.

Visitors to the Whitsunday section of the Great Barrier Reef can expect clear turquoise waters, fringing coral reefs and island landscapes accessed by boat from Airlie Beach, Shute Harbour or Hamilton Island. Experiences are centred on boat tours to outer reef pontoons and island reefs for snorkelling and diving, glass-bottom boat and semi-submersible viewing, sailing, and scenic helicopter flights over features such as Heart Reef. Marine life includes corals, tropical fish, turtles and seasonal whales.