Great Barrier Reef

Welcome to the
Great Barrier Reef

Great Things Are Happening Here

They don’t call it great for nothing. Stretching from the tip of Cape York in Queensland’s north, all the way to Bundaberg, the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef system in the world.

There are so many ways to experience the reef: dive it, snorkel it, sail it, learn about it, sleep on it, kayak it, fish on it, fly above it... and best of all, you're contributing to its conservation just by visiting. 

Discover how to explore the seven regions and five precincts that make up the Great Barrier Reef and experience a destination that’s largely underwater, but is best described as truly out of this world. Simply put, the Great Barrier Reef is a must-do for anyone exploring Queensland – or calling it home. 

 Turtle hatching

On now

Turtle Season

December - February

 Turtle hatching

Average temperatures

December - February

Min

24

°

Max

30

°

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Discover the Great Barrier Reef's diverse ecosystem 

From rocky outcrops to sprawling national parks of untouched rainforest and exclusive private resorts fringed with powder-white beaches, the islands of the Great Barrier Reef, like GreenHamiltonLizardMagnetic and Orpheus, are as diverse as the life below the waterline. 

With 3000 separate reefs and over 900 continental islands and coral cays, it should come as no surprise that the Great Barrier Reef is home to some of the world’s best dive and snorkel sites and experiences, with a myriad of marine life you won’t find anywhere else on earth.

Spend your time exploring its breathtaking beauty by snorkelling fringing reefs off tropical islands, diving the kaleidoscope of corals and marine life of the outer reefs, or seeing the vast magnificence from above in a helicopter or seaplane. 

For a more exclusive experience, ‘Sleep on the Reef’ and fall asleep to the waves lapping the pontoon underneath your swag. Wake up in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef in the peaceful and sheltered waters of Lady Musgrave Island Lagoon. Or for the real ‘rock star’ experience on the Great Barrier, book an entire private island paradise – Pumpkin Island off the coast of Yeppoon – for your exclusive use.

To do your part for Reef conservation, choose to stay at one of the eco-resorts on the Great Barrier Reef. These world-leading ecotourism providers are dedicated to reducing their carbon footprint and providing sustainable initiatives so you can do your bit for the environment while also enjoying the world’s largest ecosystem.

From the action-packed experiences on Hamilton Island to the peace and serenity of Fitzroy Island, with 324 of its 339 hectares a protected national park, it’s safe to say that everyone will find their dream holiday along this heavenly stretch of Queensland coastline. And there’s an amazing range of Great Barrier Reef holiday deals to make your time in this natural wonderland even more rewarding!

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Get to know the Great Barrier Reef

Nara Inlet

Nestled in the south east end of the Whitsundays’ Hook Island is Nara Inlet, a secluded bay with...

Attractions

Nara Inlet
Fishing on Hinchinbrook Island

Discover an island with a Jurassic outlook which abounds in flora, fauna, palm fringed beaches and...

Attractions

Fishing on Hinchinbrook Island
Michaelmas Reef Dive Site

Michaelmas Reef is another of the wonderful dive sites off Cairns. A coral cay is located at the...

Attractions

Michaelmas Reef Dive Site
Holmes Reef Dive Site

Holmes Reef is the closest Coral Sea Reef to Cairns and is often visited on special expeditions to...

Attractions

Holmes Reef Dive Site
Whale Bommie Dive Site

Whale Bommie is a giant coral head located off the southern side of Milln Reef. This popular Cairns...

Attractions

Whale Bommie Dive Site
Vlasoff Cay

Vlasoff Cay is a Tropical North Queensland bucket-list attraction just north of Green Island. It...

Attractions

Vlasoff Cay
Tijou Reef Dive Site

Tijou Reef is located at the southern end of the Far Northern Reefs, so is often the first or last...

Attractions

Tijou Reef Dive Site
Osprey Reef

Osprey Reef is one of the most spectacular dive sites in the world, located off Cairns in the Coral...

Attractions

Osprey Reef
Turtle Bommie

Turtles are often encountered on the dive sites off Cairns and a good place to encounter one is...

Attractions

Turtle Bommie
Great Barrier Reef - The Whitsundays

The Whitsundays is located in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, one of the world's seven natural...

Attractions

Great Barrier Reef - The Whitsundays
Heron Island Research Station

The University of Queensland's Heron Island Research Station is a world-class research and teaching...

Attractions

Heron Island Research Station
Bougainville Reef Dive Site

Bougainville Reef is a small reef in the Northern Coral Sea surrounded by some amazing dive sites!...

Attractions

Bougainville Reef Dive Site
Fish Bowl Dive Site

Divers wanting to encounter a great variety of reef fish are highly recommended to visit the Fish...

Attractions

Fish Bowl Dive Site
Mackay Cay

The snow white sand and the crystal clear waters of Mackay Cay act as the ultimate holiday...

Attractions

Mackay Cay
Heart Reef

Heart Reef was discovered in 1975 by a local pilot and is now an internationally-recognised...

Attractions

Heart Reef

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