How big is the Great Barrier Reef?
The Great Barrier Reef stretches more than 2,000 kilometres along the Queensland Coast, covering just north of Bundaberg to the most northern tip of Queensland, called Cape York. Driving the coast of the Great Barrier Reef would take approximately 38 hours. The Coral Sea runs along the Queensland coast. The Coral Sea is a name well suited for the world’s largest coral reef ecosystem. The size of the magnificent ecosystem covers 344,400 km2 in area. To put this into perspective the Great Barrier Reef is larger than Victoria & Tasmania combined and bigger than the United Kingdom, Switzerland and Holland combined The average depth is 35 metres in its inshore waters, while on outer reefs, continental slopes extend down to depths of more than 2000 metres.
What will I see visiting the reef?
The Great Barrier Reef is home to over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands. The marine life is immensely diverse with more than 1,500 species of fish, on-third of the world’s soft corals, 411 types of hard coral. 134 species of sharks and rays, six of the world’s seven species of threatened marine turtles, and more than 30 species of marine mammals, including the vulnerable dugong.
How do I visit the Great Barrier Reef?
The most popular city to visit the Great Barrier Reef is from Cairns as it the most easily accessible. The reef becomes closer to the shore the further north of Queensland. This means the time it take to travel to the reef is less, allowing more time to dive and snorkel the Great Barrier Reef. Other very popular destinations to access the reef include; Airlie Beach A getaway to the Whitsundays Islands. most popular for sailing tours exploring multiple islands and snorkeling. The ‘must see’ sights are Whitehaven Beach and Heart Reef. Bundaberg This is the most southern end of the Great Barrier Reef and a great place to experience the reef if you are unable to go further north while travelling Australia. The ‘must see’ sights are Lady Musgrave Island and Lady Elliot Island. Gold Coast, Brisbane, Hervey Bay. Fly to Lady Elliot Island from the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Bundaberg or Hervey Bay. Lady Elliot is one of the world’s most renowned snorkelling and diving locations. Tours are available for one day or overnight stays, and only accessible by flight.
