Great Barrier Reef Overview
The Great Barrier Reef is the most famous marine-protected area in the world and the largest UNESCO World Heritage area. Covering a geographical area of 35 million hectares (86 million acres) and stretching approximately 2300km (1429 miles) along the coast of northeastern Australia from Bundaberg to Cape York, the Reef is bigger in size than the states of Victoria and Tasmania combined. The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef system in the world and home to approximately 400 different types of coral. It is also an area of outstanding natural beauty and home to around 1500 different species of fish, 4000 types of mollusc and many endangered species. There are also more than 30 historic shipwrecks in the area and a number of archaeological sites which are of Aboriginal origin. In 2005, more coral reefs were discovered in the Gulf of Carpentaria off Australia's north coast.
Contact Addresses
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, 2-68 Flinders Street, PO Box 1379, Townsville, Queensland 4810, Australia
Tel: (07) 4750 0700
Website: www.gbrmpa.gov.au
Transportation
Air: Brisbane Airport, Cairns Airport; many domestic airlines fly to national airports located closer to the Reef on the Australian mainland. Water: The Great Barrier Reef can only be reached by boat; tour operators can arrange transfer from mainland Australia to resort islands.
Tourist Information
Australian Tourist Commission
PO Box 2721, Sydney, NSW 2001, Australia
Tel: (02) 9360 1111. Fax: (02) 9331 6469.
Website: www.atc.net.au or www.australia.com
Australian Tourist Commission
Gemini House, 10-18 Putney Hill, London SW15 6AA, UK
Tel: (020) 8780 2229 or (0906) 863 3235 (Brochure request line; calls cost 60p per minute). Fax: (020) 8780 1496.
Location
Australia
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