The Great Barrier Reef is just one of many
of Cairns attractions and far
north has to offer visitors to our
region. From our World Heritage listed Tropical Rainforests, the outback just a short drive away and of course the Reef.
The Great Barrier Reef is important on a global
scale for its natural, unique beauty and economic values. The Great
Barrier Reef was written into the World Heritage List in 1981 and the
Area was given the highest recognition for its universal value.
Outstandingly it is the largest world Heritage site on earth. This
unique tropical marine ecosystem attracts visitors from all over the
globe.
There are plenty of cruise
operators and wonderful dive/snorkel
tours from cairns.
Although the
Great Barrier Reef stretches more than 2000 kilometres
offshore from Queensland, it is only at Cape Tribulation, just
north of Port Douglas that the reefs come right to the shore and
meets the tropical rainforests of the Wet Tropics. The Reef has
over 1000 islands which are easily accessible from North
Queensland and coastal cities like Cairns and Port
Douglas.
The coral
islands are very popular tourist attractions. Some even have
varied vegetation including rainforest and are encircled by the
coral reefs.
Off the Cairns coastline are
outer edge ribbon reefs which may be up to 25 kilometres long.
This is the outer limits of the continental shoreline of
prehistoric times.
