Great Barrier Reef ,Queensland, Australia » City Info

The Great Barrier Reef - Australia is one amongst the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. The Great Barrier Reef is undoubtedly a fine example of God’s fabulous creations with its fascinating natural formations. Blessed with pure beauty and intriguing diversity.

The world’s largest coral reef can also be seen from outer space. Protected under the United Nations, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is rich with marine life and coral reefs in assorted shapes, all with varying beauty. The Great Barrier Reef encompasses around 3000 individual reef systems and 900 islands, including some of the most beautiful sun-soaked beaches on earth. It has 400 types of coral, 1,500 species of fish and 4,000 types of mollusc. It also holds great scientific interest as the habitat of species such as the dugong (‘sea cow’) and the large green turtle, which are threatened with extinction.

The Great Barrier Reef is one of the most sought-after tourism destinations in the world. A hot spot for scuba diving, snorkelling, and other water sports, the reef is a delight for tourists who want a quiet holiday as well as for those adventurous water sports lovers. A large part of this coral reef system is protected by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, mainly to restrict the impact of human intervention such as fishing, tourism etc.

Great Barrier Reef Regions

Spanning most of the east coast of Queensland, The Northern Great Barrier Reef consists mainly of two cities Cape York Peninsula and Cairns. Cape York is sparsely populated, while Cairns is a big city and a supposed mecca for scuba divers. The northern region is the culmination of more than 3000 reefs, coral cays, and several virgin islands. Only a few islands are inhabited by humans, where resorts have been built to promote tourism. Lizard and Haggerstone Islands are examples of such types of islands.

The Central Great Barrier Reef consists mainly of the Townsville coast and Whitsunday Islands. One of the fascinating spots to visit while in Townsville is the Reef HQ which has the only coral reef under human administration, where you can get to feel and see the reefs safely.

The Whitsunday Islands are a popular set of 74 islands. The inhabited islands are known for their rich and luxurious resorts, beaches, and sparkling blue waters of the Pacific. Other inhabited islands can be visited by charter boats but with prior permission. The most visited islands are Daydream Island, Hamilton Island, Lindeman Island, and Brampton Island.

Capricorn Coast, Gladstone Port, and Fraser Island make up the Southern part of the Great Barrier Reef. Lying 40km from Rockhampton, Capricorn coast is a shoreline based region in Central Queensland ranging from Keppel Islands in the South to Byfield and Shoalwater Bay in the north. The name derives from the Tropic of Capricorn, which passes through this region. The coast is a central area of Queensland State and includes the towns of Yeppoon and Emu Park.

Gladstone Port is 100km to the south of Rockhampton and is a major industrial port in Australia, rich in Coal and Aluminium. For those who find this uninteresting, not to worry, as the Port Curtis Historic Village, Quoin Island, Curtis Island, and Castle Tower National Park are there to bring a sparkle to your eyes.

Fraser Island is the largest sand island globally, and half the world’s perched freshwater dune lakes are found inland from the beach. You will also see white sand beaches and eucalyptus wooded areas.

Coastal Towns

In Queensland, 88km south-east of Townsville, Ayr is known for its rivers, creeks, estuaries, and clean beaches. For those who love fishing and water sports, this is the place to be. It is also a sugar-producing area, along with being the mango capital.

Cairns is a city with plenty of shopping opportunities, tasty cuisines, accommodation, art and culture spots, as well as heritage sites. From here, you will visit the trio of the Great Barrier Reef, Australian rainforests, and the Outback.

A historical city located in the inland part of Queensland, Charters Towers has its uniqueness tied in its olden time stories from the 17th and 18th centuries.

Cooktown is the place where Capt. James Cook accidentally discovered Australia via the Great Barrier Reef. Explore the life of Cooktown in its history, beaches, monuments, and museums. Some of the must-visit is Grass Hill lookout and Cherry Tree Bay.

Surrounded by 31 sandy beaches, one of its beaches is just a 5mins walk from the town centre. Some of the famous beaches are Harbour beach, Town, Eimeo, and Black Beach.

A stylish city for the class conscious with star accommodation facilities, it is an excellent base to explore the northern regions of the reef and rainforests of Daintree and Cape Tribulation.

About 40km away from the Capricorn Coast beaches lies Rockhampton town known for its historical architectural buildings and National Parks. Located here is the Frazer Park and World Heritage-listed Rockhampton Gardens.