The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef system. It is composed of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching 2,600 kilometres over an area of approximately 344,400 square kilometres. It is considered to be the world's richest area in terms of fauna biodiversity.
The Great Barrier Reef can be seen from outer space and is the world's biggest single structure made by living organisms. This reef structure is composed of and built by billions of tiny organisms, known as coralpolyps. The Great Barrier Reef supports a wide diversity of life, and was selected as a World Heritage Site in 1981. It has been labelled as one of the 7 natural wonders of the world.
Its great diversity reflects the maturity of an ecosystem which has evolved over millions of years on the northeast continental shelf of Australia. There are over 1500 species of fish, about 400 species of coral, 4000 species of mollusc, and 242 species of birds, plus a great diversity of sponges, anemones, marine worms, crustaceans and many others.
The reef provides the most spectacular marine scenery on earth. The site includes major feeding grounds for the endangered dugong (Sirenia: Dugong dugon) and nesting grounds of world significance for two endangered species of marine turtle, the green (Chelonia mydas) and the loggerhead (Caretta caretta), as well as habitat for four other species of marine turtle; given the severe pressures being placed on these species elsewhere, the Great Barrier Reef may be their last secure stronghold.
Unique experiences with the Great Barrier Reef are closer to the Daintree Coast than probably any other portion along its entire 2,600 kilometre length. This should not be interpreted as lesser quality, indeed, many regional industry experts refer their family and friends to the quality advantages of experiences from the Daintree Coast.
