Ashore · Our pick at sea
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
World Heritage 1981
About Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority has managed the reef since 1975, and it was inscribed by UNESCO in 1981. Its website explains the park’s zones and how to encounter turtles and other wildlife responsibly; reef trips leave from Cairns.
Why it's on our list
- Day trips from Cairns
- Turtle-nesting season under way (Oct 2026)
- Check the zoning map before you go
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Great Barrier Reef Marine Park before you go.