The Great Barrier Reef is one of the world's most spectacular destintations and greatest natural wonders, not only that, it is also the most extensive structure ever built by living creatures, even visible from the moon. You must experience the marine life on display, either above by boat or below by snorkel or dive! You will not believe the amazing coral colours and formations.

The Great Barrier Reef is the largest and most complex system of marine habitats in the world, with around 2900 separate reefs, 760 fringing reefs, 300 coral cays and 618 continental islands. It stretches over 2000km, from the northern tip of the continental shelf near Papua New Guinea, to Bundaberg in the south.

The Great Barrier Reef is only 1.5 hrs away from Townsville by fast ferry catamaran which makes it an ideal destination for day trips and there are also options should you choose an extended stay on the reef.

The waters of the Great Barrier Reef are abundant with marine life performing a non-stop display with amazing combinations of colours and patterns. You can observe the spectacular array of natural art above in the dry comfort of glass-bottomed boat, through semi-submersible craft or below by snorkelling or scuba diving. Other popular activities typically include educational trips to learn about the marine environment, boating activities and fishing. There are a diverse range of tourism operations catering for these activites and more.

The Great Barrier Reef ecosystem hosts the greatest concentration of life on this planet including a diverse range of marine-based plants and animals. It is home to approximately 1,500 species of fish, 360 species of hard corals, one-third of the world’s soft corals, 4000 species of molluscs, 1,500 species of sponges, 800 species of echinoderms (starfish, sea cucumbers and sea urchins etc…), hundreds of species of algae, including seaweeds, six of the seven species of marine turtle, 215 species of birds, and more than 30 species of marine mammals including whales and dugongs.

During the winter months (from around June to November) various species of whales including the Humpback and Minke migrate from Antarctic waters to the Great Barrier Reef for courtship, mating, birthing and calf-rearing. Whale watching is offered by tourist operators, and seeing these majestic giants in the waters off the Great Barrier Reef will leave a lasting impression.

If you happen to see a shark while snorkelling or scuba diving the reef, make sure you treat them with the respect they deserve; remember, you are in their realm. Consider yourself lucky as sharks are not frequently encountered by visitors and are quite timid. Most sharks are fish eaters and pose no threat to humans, in most cases sharks will only attack out of fear.

Coral are made up of a thin external layer of living animals called polyps. These polyps secrete a chalky, limestone skeleton as they grow, creating the various formations we see. Coral colonies grow as the polyps divide and multiply in a process known as budding.

The coral feed on planktonic prey with their tentacles and also derive nourishment from simple single-celled algae called zooxanthellae (pronounced zoo-zan-thelly), living within their tissues. Like plants, zooxanthellae photosynthesize, taking advantage of the sun's energy to produce nutrients, in which are used by the polyp for its own nutrition. Corals with zooxanthellae are capable of laying down limestone skeletons up to three times faster than those without.

Corals can only live in an environment with clear water low in nutrients, and cannot tolerate freshwater or nutrients carried with water run-off from the mainland. This explains why the reef is situated so far off the mainland of Queensland.

It is very difficult to identify particular species of coral. Each coral colony is affected by environmental conditions such as wave action, light levels and the amount of sediment in the water. This can influence the shape and formation of the coral colony, so one type of coral may appear as a branching form in calm water and look like a plate coral in another area. Generally, you can identify particular species of coral by their appearance: boulder, branching, plate, table, vase, bushy, solitary.

Once a year during a mass spawning event, over one third of the reef's coral species reproduce sexually with eggs and sperm released into the water where they combine to form a free-swimming planktonic larval stage. The spawning event always occurs at night, up to six days after the full moon in late spring/early summer. It is an amazing sight to see the spawning of the coral which is sometimes compared to an 'underwater snowstorm'.

Sometimes the reef will appear a predominantly blue/green colour. This is due to natural white light being filtered at different water depths with red and yellow disappearing first. Night diving on the reef is spectacular because it allows you to experience the true colours of the corals.

The Great Barrier Reef attracts many visitors from all over the world. Visitors can participate in many activities including:

The Great Barrier Reef stretches more than 2000 kilometres along the northeast coast of Australia, covering over 347,000 square kilometres.

It has global iconic status and is considered to be the jewel in the crown of the world’s natural wonders. Its ecosystem supports the greatest concentration of marine life on this planet and is of immeasurable value to humankind.

The Great Barrier Reef was formed over 18 million years ago. Through time, the reef has been affected and shaped by numerous sea level changes caused by periods of warming and cooling of the Earth.

Approximately 18,000 years ago, sea levels dropped over 100 metres, and the reef was turned into grassy plains and limestone hills.

Around 12000 years ago the sea level started to rise again as ice caps melted and the sea level reached its current level. Corals that had survived in the deeper waters off the continental shelf reproduced and started to recolonise the remnant reefs.

Make sure you are aware of potential dangers before venturing to the reef. You can take precautions and still enjoy the wonders of The Great Barrier Reef. The reef is home to many dangerous species of marine life that can be fatal to humans. Learn more about these species below.

Divers and snorkellers should stay well clear of the dangerous Irukandji Jellyfish. Found mostly in deeper waters of the reef they are sometimes swept inshore by ocean currents.

The Box Jelly Fish is found in the coastal waters of North Queensland, and is possibly one of the most dangerous creatures in the ocean. It gets its name from its box-shaped bell, with clusters of deadly tentacles extending from each corner, able to inflict fatal stings to humans. All beach swimmers are urged to swim within protective swimming enclosures or wear protective clothing during "Stinger Season" (October through to March). Vinegar can be used to neutralise both box jellyfish and irukandji stings.

The Blue Ringed Octopus inflicts poison powerful enough to kill an adult human in minutes, with a beak that can penetrate a wet-suit. The Blue Ringed Octopus is a pretty little creature found in rock pools and coral, the rings will "glow" an electric blue when threatend. Take a look, but make sure you keep a safe distance away.

There are several types of Cone Shells able to inflict venom containing the most potent neurotoxins known to man: very dangerous to humans.

Lion Fish have venomous elongated dorsal fin spines and enlarged pectoral fins. Each species has a pattern of zebra- like stripes.

The Stonefish can inflict excruciating pain and possible death through 13 dorsal spines that release a poisonous toxin when pressed. Stonefish are well camouflaged against stony and muddy bottom areas. Always wear covered shoes with a sturdy sole while walking on the beaches.

All 15 species of Sea Snakes found on the reef produce lethal venom. Make sure you treat them with respect and stay well clear.

Make sure you avoid Stingrays as they can inflict serious lacerations and deep wounds with a barb on the stingrays' tail.

Before fishing anywhere on the reef, make sure you know where the boundaries of national park zones are, and what restrictions apply.

Fishing is prohibited in the green national park, pink preservation and orange scientific zones.

In other zones, fishing is allowed subject to current Queensland fisheries restrictions. Make sure you learn about legal sizes, closed seasons and bag limits for a variety of fish and shellfish.

Some s pecies that are totally protected:
whales, porpoises, dolphins, dugong, turtles, clams, trumpet and helmet shells,
female crabs, all groper

Zoning Maps: http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au