Great Barrier Reef is one of the Natural Wonders of the World

Reef Australia
Great Barrier Reef to be named as one of the Natural Wonders – Well Maybe.

The Great Barrier Reef is the most extensive coral reef system in the world, and it can be found in the Coral Sea which is located off the coast of Queensland, Australia.
With over 1,500 species of fish, about 400 species of coral, 4,000 species of mollusc, 240 species of birds, and a lot more, no other place in the world contains such biodiversity. It measures around 2,600 km, and it’s proved by astronauts that they can see the Great Barrier Reef from space.

A Few Facts

The biggest threat that is perceived to destroy this Wonder of the World is climate change. As the ocean temperature gets warmer, more corals are put to stress resulting in coral bleaching. Aside from that, with more than 2 million tourists visiting every year, poor tourism might be a risk to the Great Barrier Reef, but luckily, they are able to take good care of the place until today.

The biggest threat that is perceived to destroy this Wonder of the World is climate change. As the ocean temperature gets warmer, more corals are put to stress resulting in coral bleaching. Aside from that, with more than 2 million tourists visiting every year, poor tourism might be a risk to the Great Barrier Reef, but luckily, they are able to take good care of the place until today.

When to Visit

North Queensland typically has a wet (monsoon) and dry season, so it’s important that you travel at the right time to capitalise your time on the reef. July-September is an optimum time to visit before the humidity and heavy rainfall kicks on over the wet season, while October and November are considered peak diving months for the GBR.

It’s also important to keep in mind of marine stingers, with the box jellyfish being one of the most venomest marine animals in the world. ‘Stinger season’ typically starts from early October and spans through to April/May. During this time, some beaches and parts of the reef are closed due to safety concerns, however, some areas remain available for use as ‘stinger nets’ are used to protect swimmers from marine life.

Great Barrier Reef

How to Get There

Fly direct to Cairns, Port Douglas, Airlie Beach, the Whitsunday Islands, or Townsville. There are tours starting from almost every major city along the eastern coast of Queensland starting from Bundaberg.

Those Other Wonders are:

  • Aurora Borealis.
  • Harbor of Rio de Janeiro.
  • Grand Canyon.
  • Great Barrier Reef, Australia.
  • Mount Everest.
  • Paricutin.
  • Victoria Falls.

You may be interested in our blog  - Australia's top other dive sites. 

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Brent Narbey
By
Brent Narbey
: 11 Aug 2016 (Last updated: 13 Jun 2019)

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