The Great Barrier Reef is a living organism, millions of tiny creatures called coral polyps which join together to form the large swathes of coral. When you see the Reef up close and personal you are looking at a living structure. But the Reef is not all the same. One of the great qualities of the coral is that it comes in a variety of shapes and colours.
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The Reef is not a single reef but thousands of reefs joined loosely together ranging in size from about one hectare to 10,000 hectares. The Great Barrier Reef covers more than 300,000 square kilometres and is in a beautiful part of the world with about 1000 islands dotted in the ocean. The waters are warm around the Reef and rarely fall below 18 degrees Celsius or 54 degrees Fahrenheit.
It’s interesting to know that coral grows at different speeds. Some are fast and others slow growing and coral can live for hundreds of years. Living coral is coloured but only dead coral is white.
The Great Barrier Reef is off the east coast of Queensland, Australia, in the Coral Sea. The Reef can be seen from outer space, it is a wonder of the natural world, a world heritage site, the largest coral reef in the world and the largest single living structure in the world – it is bigger than the Great Wall of China. Oh and it has attracted and continues to attract millions of tourists. |
Queensland is a big state. Its capital Brisbane, which has its own fabulous nearby islands, is a long way from Cairns. In fact this part of the world is sometimes called Far North Queensland. There are very long distances to drive. Fantastic scenery but a car trip will take some time. There are package bus tours as well for those who like the road but don’t wish to drive.
If you have a yacht, sailing the Whitsunday Islands is a sailor’s dream come true.
But flying is the best way to reach the Reef if you have a limited time for your visit. Cairns is the most popular destination for most Reef explorers. It takes international flights as well as those from elsewhere in Australia and even from within Queensland.
Learn more about the Great Barrier Reef
Things to see on the Great Barrier Reef
What to Do on the Reef
Where to stay on the Great Barrier Reef
Threats to the Reef
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