The Great Barrier Reef has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981.
It is the world’s largest and longest coral reef system stretching 2,300 kilometres from Bundaberg to Cape York.
The Great Barrier Reef covers an area of approximately 348,000 square kilometres incorporating more than 2,900 coral reefs and 1,050 islands and coral cays.
It extends over 14 degrees of latitude with coral reefs comprising about 7% of the World Heritage Area and the rest an extraordinary variety of marine habitats, ranging from shallow inshore areas to deep oceanic areas more than 250km offshore.
It is internationally recognised for its outstanding biodiversity.
Diversity of wildlife and ecosystems
The stories of the wildlife and the incredible diversity of species of habitats are just some of the reasons that the Great Barrier Reef is so inspirational to visitors. Comprised of 2,900 coral reefs and 1,050 islands and coral cays, the GBR is home to:
- One third of the world’s coral species
- Six of the world’s seven species of marine turtle
- Giant clams more than 120 years old
- One of the world’s most important dugong populations
- More than 1,500 species of fish
- More than 3,000 species of molluscs (shells)
- 630 species of echinoderm (starfish and sea urchins)
- 14 breeding species of sea snakes
- 215 species of birds, including 22 species of seabirds and 32 species of shorebirds
- 30 species of whales and dolphins; and
- 133 species of sharks and rays.
Visitors can experience the wonder of swimming with shoals of fish, ancient turtles, minke whales, majestic manta rays, or witness nesting and hatching turtles, giant clams, or migrating humpback whales.
