The largest coral reef system on Earth
The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef system on Earth, made up of thousands of individual reefs and hundreds of islands along the coast of Queensland. It is home to an enormous diversity of life: corals, reef fish, turtles, rays, dolphins and, in season, whales. Most visitors reach the outer reef by boat from Cairns, Port Douglas or the Whitsundays to snorkel or dive, while scenic flights reveal the patterns of reef from above. Coral islands such as Lady Elliot and Heron are good for staying on the reef itself.