About Great Barrier Reef
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A maze of 3,000 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching for 2,600 km (1,616 miles), the Great Barrier Reef is among the world's most spectacular natural attractions. Known as Australia's "Blue Outback," the reef is a haven for thousands of species of marine creatures as well as turtles and birds. Most visitors explore this section of Australia from one of the dozen-plus resorts strung along the coasts of islands in the southern half of the marine park, most of them in or north of the Whitsunday Islands group. Although most Barrier Reef islands are closer to the mainland than they are to the spectacular outer reef, all island resorts offer (or can organize) boat excursions to various outer-reef sites.The reef was established as a marine park in 1975, and the United Nations designated the Great Barrier Reef a World Heritage site in 1981. Strict legislation was enacted in 2004, prohibiting fishing along most of the reef—a further attempt to protect the underwater treasures of this vast, delicate ecosystem. Any visitor over the age of four must pay an A$3.50 per day Environmental Management Charge ("reef tax") to support ongoing efforts to preserve the reef.The Great Barrier Reef system began to form approximately 6,000–7,000 years ago, say marine scientists. It's comprised of individual reefs and islands, which lie to the east of the Coral Sea and extend south into the Pacific Ocean. Most of the reef is about 65 km (40 miles) off the Queensland coast, although some parts extend as far as 300 km (186 miles) offshore. Altogether, it covers an area bigger than Great Britain, forming the largest living feature on Earth and the only one visible from space.
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Copyright © Mon Apr 23 13:31:01 EDT 2018 by Fodor's Travel, a division of Random House, LLC. All rights reserved.
Things You Can't Miss
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Gateway to Far North Queensland
The compact seaside city of Cairns offers tours to dive or snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, plus trips into the nearby rain forest.
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© Nick Rains/Corbis
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Snorkel, Then Chill on a Fabulous Beach
White-sand beaches dot Queensland’s 4,000-mile-long coastline, from upscale Palm Cove to famously gorgeous Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island.
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ltos/Getty Images
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Want Your Own Private Island?
Funky Heron in the south, upscale Lizard in the north and luxurious Hayman in between are single-resort islands offering water sports, spas and more.
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JohnCarnemolla/Getty Images
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Preventing Motion Sickness on a Cruise
Four steps to help you avoid seasickness during your next cruise.
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Scenic Beauty and Local Culture at Mossman Gorge
Kuku Yalanji Aboriginal guides share their knowledge with visitors exploring the lovely river and lush woodlands of Daintree National Park.
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© Steve Parish/Steve Parish Publishing/Corbis
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Train From Cairns to Queensland’s Highlands
The Kuranda Scenic Railway traverses rain forest and deep gorges and passes two striking waterfalls as it winds 23 miles from seacoast to mountains.
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Wirepec/Getty Images
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Affordable Beach Resort Towns
Craving the kind of laid-back, all-American beach town that’s the antithesis of a gated resort with sleek hotel rooms? The following towns should more than satisfy.
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