The Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, Australia is renowned throughout the world as one of its premier tourist destinations. This wondrous sanctuary of nature is home to a panoply of avian and marine wildlife. Consisting of 3000 separate coral reefs spanning more than 345,000 square kilometers, the Great Barrier Reef is considered 
one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the world.
Teeming with life, the Great Barrier Reef houses an estimated 400 distinct species of coral, 200 different birds, 500 types of seaweed, and 1,500 kinds of fish. Its diversity also extends to larger animals, such as dolphins sea turtles, and even whales. Although the reef originally formed around 18 million years ago, the current formation is about 8,000 years old and has been developing since the previous Ice Age. Long island shoals that surround the reef are said to be 6,000 years old.
On average, 1.6 million tourists visit the Great Barrier reef each year, generating close to 4.5 million AUD in revenue. The Whitsundays region in particular benefits from this tourist influx. As the closest point off the Queensland coast to the Great Barrier Reef, it is an ideal location from which to explore this ancient and breathtaking seascape.
Common activities associated with the Great Barrier Reef include snorkeling and scuba diving. As a protected environment, divers are prohibited from removing pieces of the coral reef. This is to ensure the safety of the wildlife and aquatic ecosystem that depend on the reef for survival. Violation of this law could result in a hefty fine.
Infographic produced by Paradise Bay Whitsunday Resort
However, the most deleterious threats to the Great Barrier Reef are far larger in scope than the hands of a few eager tourists. Climate change, pollution, oil spills and overfishing can disturb the balance on which the ecosystem thrives. Overpopulation of predators such as starfish can diminish the presence of coral polyps. Today, over 40% of the coral and mangroves within the Great Barrier Reef have been destroyed. Some believe that by the middle of the 21st century, the entire reef will disappear. As a result, it’s important for tourists and citizens alike to remain conscious of the effect human actions have on some of the most treasured natural structures in the world.