Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area

UNESCO Site · 🇦🇺 Australia

Area 347,993 km²

Time zone Australia/Brisbane, Pacific/Port_Moresby

Official website www.gbrmpa.gov.au

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Featured Lists

Great Barrier Reef Unmissables

The Great Barrier Reef encompasses over 2,900 individual coral reefs and 900 islands, stretching 2,300 kilometers along the Queensland coast. This UNESCO World Heritage site features diverse marine habitats, from the accessible sandy cays of Green Island to the remote outer formations of Tydeman Reef. Notable landmarks include the historic Fitzroy Island Lighthouse and world-renowned dive sites like Cod Hole, while educational centers like Reef Teach provide scientific insight into the reef's complex ecosystem and biodiversity.

15 places

Coral Reef Diving & Snorkeling

The Great Barrier Reef comprises over 2,900 individual reefs stretching 2,300 kilometers along the Queensland coast. This selection highlights diverse underwater environments, from the famous potato cod encounters at Cod Hole to the iconic heart-shaped coral formations of the Whitsundays. These sites offer a range of experiences, including shallow coral gardens, steep outer-shelf drop-offs, and specialized diving pontoons equipped with underwater observatories for viewing the world's largest coral reef system.

25 places

Viewpoints and Lighthouses

This collection spans the Queensland coastline from Cairns to the Whitsundays, highlighting historic maritime structures and elevated vantage points. It features the 19th-century North Reef Light and the decommissioned Fitzroy Island Lighthouse. Coastal lookouts like Rex and Cardwell offer views of the Coral Sea and Hinchinbrook Channel, while peaks such as Hook Peak and Whitsunday Cairn provide high-altitude perspectives over the reef's island archipelagos.

26 places

Island Beaches and Resorts

This selection spans the Great Barrier Reef coastline from Cairns to the Whitsundays and Mackay. Highlights include Green Island, a coral cay within a national park, and the Whitsunday Islands’ Hook Island, featuring Stonehaven Bay and Blue Pearl Bay. The list also includes mainland beach resorts and holiday parks near Mackay, such as Dolphin Heads and Blacks Beach. These locations offer access to fringing reefs, marine life, and coastal landscapes ranging from secluded wilderness bays to established holiday facilities.

8 places