40 years of World Heritage

Declared a World Heritage Area in 1981 because of its 'outstanding universal value', the Great Barrier Reef is one of the most remarkable places on earth. Within the World Heritage Area, there are more than 3000 separate coral reefs.

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See it, Snap it, Report it

The most wonderful time of year for the Reef! The Great Barrier Reef comes alive with the spectacular annual synchronised coral spawning.

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40 years of World Heritage

The Reef has a rich heritage and considered World Heritage with Outstanding Universal Values because of its habitats, ecological processes, geology and evolution, beauty and integrity as a system.

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Cue the moonlight and warm sultry nights; it is time to get frisky on the Reef!
Report sightings of spawning activity, either directly as it happens or from observations of floating slicks the morning after.
Statement: Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Decision
As Australia’s lead management agency for the Great Barrier Reef, we welcome the World Heritage Committee’s decision not to place the Great Barrier Reef on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Statement: Long-Term Monitoring Program Annual Summary Report
AIMS released key findings from its Long-Term Monitoring Program Annual Summer Report of Coral Reef Condition for 2020-21 of the Great Barrier Reef.
Tourism Industry Activation and Reef Protection Initiative
Learn more on this Reef project, including engaging tourism operators in reef monitoring and reef site-stewardship actions.
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Reef Fact
Reef Facts
86%

of Australians are proud of the Great Barrier Reef's World Heritage status. It is part of our identity and an Australian icon

70

million football fields is the sheer size of the Great Barrier Reef, covering 346,000km2. One third of the Marine Park is a 'no take' zone.

40 years of World Heritage

The variety of species and habitats in the Great Barrier Reef make it one of the richest and most complex natural ecosystems on Earth. Though similar habitats occur elsewhere, no other World Heritage Area contains such biodiversity.

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Reef-urbishment underway

Reef HQ Aquarium is undergoing a $80 million reef-urbishment, an initiative of the Australian Government.

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