One of Australia's most iconic features is an underwater coral reef bed called the Great Barrier Reef.

The Great Barrier Reef is the largest single structure made by living organisms and can actually be seen from Outer Space. It is composed entirely of coral, which is itself made of tiny living organisms called coral polyps.

One of the most important aspects of the Great Barrier Reef is the protection that the coral affords to an enormous amount of aquatic life, the species that inhabit the Reef are in the thousands, and many of these are believed to be endemic (unique to) the Great Barrier Reef.

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority is the government agency entrusted with the protection of the Reef. One of their most important activities is the protection of endangered species that inhabit the Reef.

These endangered species include sea snakes, crocodiles, marine turtles, dolphins and dugongs, sharks and whale sharks. These species have been put in danger mostly by human activities, either directly by activities like over fishing or indirectly by effects of human activities such as bleaching of coral by increasing temperatures of sea water caused by global warming.

Diving & Snorkeling

The Great Barrier Reef is a site of amazing beauty and attracts more than 6 million visitors a year. There are many different ways to experience the Great Barrier Reef as a tourist.

Aircraft and helicopter tours, diving and fishing charters so you can appreciate the beauty of the Reef up close or experience the excitement of fishing for some of the most powerful fish in the sea. If you don’t have a Diver's License or aren’t keen to try with experienced and licensed guides you can snorkel in shallower waters of the reef and still experience the beauty of the coral itself as well as the aquatic life. There are also seasonal activities with whales, where you can either enjoy whales from a boat or on the shore or you can swim with the whales in a guided dive.

The Great Barrier Reef starts at the very northern tip of Queensland and finishes almost midway down the coast of the state. Most tourist attractions and activities operate out of Cairns, as this is the largest city this far north. Flights from Brisbane to Cairns operate daily.

http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, 2008.

Image courtesy of Leonard Low, Flickr.