The Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is the largest living structure on earth, a vast marine wonderland stretching over 2,300 kilometres off the coast of Queensland, so immense it can be seen from space. A UNESCO site of thousands of individual reefs and hundreds of islands, its warm, clear turquoise waters teem with corals, fish, turtles, rays and sharks, making it one of the world's premier destinations for snorkelling and diving.

What you'll find

• The coral gardens - the vibrant reefs and their teeming marine life.
• Snorkelling and diving - the clear water alive with fish and turtles.
• The islands - the Whitsundays and their white silica beaches.
• A scenic flight - the aerial view of the reef and the Heart Reef.

When to go

June to October for the dry season, calmest seas, best visibility and the absence of the dangerous marine stingers that require caution in the summer months. Coral spawning and whale migration bring extra wonder in the cooler season.

Before you go

The reef is under serious threat from warming seas and coral bleaching, so choose eco-certified operators and treat it gently; the reef is still spectacular but not the untouched paradise of old in every spot. In summer, dangerous stinger jellyfish mean swimming in a stinger suit or netted areas. Sea sickness on boats affects some.

Nearby

The Daintree Rainforest, Cairns and the Whitsunday Islands are along the Queensland coast.

Key facts