The Great Barrier Reef (GBR) stretches 1930 kilometers from the mouth of the Fly River in Western Papua to Breaksea Spit off Bundaberg, and is one of the world's great wonders. It is the largest thing ever built, composed of skeletons of coral polyps & tiny sea creatures which have built up over the years.
About 350 species of coral can be found ranging from irredescent orange to mesmerizing blues. It's estimated that 1400 fish have made their home among this fragile ecosystem. Groper in the area are said to grow to 200kilograms.
One of the islands is the largest island national park in the world!
The main concentration of resorts can be found on the Whitsunday Passage, which is a relaxing stretch of water ideal for taking day cruises along.
Notable Islands of the GBR:
- Bedarra Island
- Brampton Island
- Daydream Island
- Dunk Island
- Green Island
- Great Keppel Island
- Hayman Island
- Heron Island
- Hichinbrook Island
What is the Reef?
The GBR is actually comprised of 2 reef systems. The outer reef is mostly underwater and marked only by a line of surf breaking and can be seen from the shore opposite Cape York Pennisula, the following the edge of the continental shelf 350 kilometers off the coast. The inner reef rises from the floor of a large lagoon and consists of haphazzard coral growths. There are also reported to be over 2000 major reefs that are included in the GBR. Many a ship have come to their demise throughout the GBR. There are a reported 500 wrecks in the area.
The GBR also has 2 types of islands, coral cays & continental islands.
Coral Cays
The cays are reminiscent of the popular perception of paradise, thye are small sandy island covered in palm trees & tropical vegetation, with beaches that glisten under perfect skies and are surrounded by bright turquoise waters. There are several cays in various stages of their evolution, while Green Island & Heron Island are two of the more signicifcant.
Continental Islands
Continental islands, popular in the reef system, are the tops of mountains usually covered in thick vegetation, and are separated from the mainland and rise abruptly to 300km.
