ONE OF THE WORLD’S SEVEN NATURAL WONDERS
The Great Barrier Reef runs parallel to the Queensland coast for 2,600 kms from the northern tip of Cape York to just north of Bundaberg in the south.
Access to the reef can be just metres from the coast while in other places it is way out to sea. Trinity Beach is in a prime position with daily reef departures from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal.
Comprised of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands, the Great Barrier Reef is the largest tropical coral reef system in the world. At 348,000 kms², it is the world’s largest World Heritage Area and the biggest tropical marine reserve with the Outer Reef lying along the edge of the Australian Continental Shelf.
Reefs are masses of limestone made from skeletons of millions upon millions of tiny marine animals and plants. Colonies of tiny, living coral polyps grow on a reef’s surface. These animals are the main reef builders. When coral polyps die, their limestone skeletons and the remains of other animals and plants are added to the framework of the reef. There are some 360 species of hard corals and 4000 species of mollusc.
1,500 of the world’s 13,000 fish species live amongst the coral, 7 species of sea turtles and 125 species of sharks and rays swim the reef. There are over 600 species of echinoderms (starfish, sea urchins, sea cucumbers), 500 species of seaweed, 200 species of birds and 14,000 dugongs.
It has been said that you could dive in the world’s largest marine park every day for the rest of your life and still not see it all! Come and experience an adventure of a lifetime and help us preserve such a natural Wonder of the World.
