18 May 2022
Words Christine Retschlag Informer 102

The Wonder Down Under

Australians have held a long-standing love affair with Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef, and for good reason. Geographically blessed with arguably the grandest natural wonder in the world, it’s little wonder we flock to explore her warm waters and sunny shores, not to mention her amazing accommodation offerings. But what is it that makes the Barrier Reef so, well, great? Christine Retschlag takes a deep dive.

Long before wearing face masks became de rigueur, Australian and international tourists visiting Queensland were donning masks of a different kind. The type you pair with fins and an insatiable sense of adventure. Ever since it was declared the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park in 1975  - and well before when more than 70 traditional owner groups called this area their sea country for more than 60,000 years - we’ve been embracing the reef with gusto. And who can blame us? 

Stretching some 2300 kilometres along the Queensland coastline, the Great Barrier Reef is never far from the collective conscience. A recent Federal Government pre-election pledge to inject $1 billion into this natural asset for water quality, pest management and reef science, placed the spotlight back on the reef, which has played second fiddle to more pressing issues of late.

In late February, tourism operators breathed a collective sigh of relief when “Fortress Australia” finally opened its borders to international travellers after some 700 anguished days. None more so than those businesses and properties along the Great Barrier Reef who rely heavily on the fascination overseas travellers have with our natural wonder you can spy from space. Little wonder it’s one of the heroes of Tourism Australia’s recently-launched “Don’t Go Small. Go Australia” $40 million campaign designed to lure international tourists back to our shores.

Proving it’s not only below the high tide line that the Great Barrier Reef plays such a critical role, latest figures by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) hold the reef responsible for contributing more than $6.4 billion to the Australian economy and 64,000 full-time jobs.

And that’s before we dive deep to witness 600 types of soft and hard corals, more than 100 species of jellyfish, 3000 varieties of molluscs, 500 species of worms, 1625 types of fish, 133 varieties of sharks and rays, and more than 30 species of whales and dolphins.

In short, this 344,400 square kilometre property is well worth protecting both from an ecological and economical point of view.

8 great facts about the Great Barrier Reef

• It makes up about 10 per cent of the world’s coral reef ecosystems and is one of the most complex natural systems on the planet
• This economic powerhouse contributes more than $6.4 billion each year to the Australian economy and around 64,000 full-time job
• The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park covers 344,400km2 in area
• It includes some 3000 coral reefs, 600 continental islands, 300 coral cays and about 150 inshore mangrove islands
• Marine creatures which inhabit the reef include 600 types of soft and hard corals, more than 100 species of jellyfish, 3000 varieties of molluscs, 500 species of worms, 1625 types of fish, 133 varieties of sharks and rays, and more than 30 species of whales and dolphins
• It is bigger than Victoria and Tasmania combined
• This Marine Park stretches approximately 2300 kilometres along the coast of Queensland
• It is roughly the same area as Japan, Malaysia or Italy

Tourism and Events’ Queensland CEO Leanne Coddington says it’s the scale, diversity of wildlife and natural beauty that makes the Great Barrier Reef so special.

“We know when people visit the reef, they are inspired to protect it and so there are huge benefits from Aussies getting out to see and experience it,” Ms Coddington says.

“The beauty of the size of the reef means you can go more than once, or travel at different times of the year and see new wonders – like the humpback whale migration from July to October, turtle nesting and hatching from November through to March, and coral spawning in November. 

“With some of the world’s best dive and snorkel sights filled with marine life, you won’t find anywhere else on earth where visitors can dive, snorkel, sail, kayak, learn about, fly above or even sleep on it – there really is something for everyone.

“Together, it’s our role to continue to care for the reef and by visiting, you’re contributing to its conservation and helping to protect it for many generations to come.”

Tourism Tropical North Queensland Chief Executive Officer Mark Olsen says it’s the diversity of ecosystems and life and the fact it’s the largest structure built by living organisms, that make the Barrier Reef so great.

“It is as big as 70 million football fields stitched together and is one of the most complex natural systems on earth,” Mr Olsen says.

“Visiting the Great Barrier Reef is the best way of understanding its beauty, ecological significance, and the economic and social impact on the communities adjoining it.

“Visitors who engage with tourism operators on the Great Barrier Reef understand the reef’s importance, its challenges, and the opportunities resulting in a social and moral connection with the World Heritage area and the desire to create change. 

“They are also supporting the businesses that are the eyes and ears of the reef, alerting scientists to any changes and carrying out reef stewardship activities to help build reef resilience. 

“Just like the symbiotic relationship of the diverse life supported by the Great Barrier Reef, there is a symbiotic relationship within the reef community of marine tourism operators, scientists, governments, traditional owners, and the broader community who together play a role in looking after the Great Barrier Reef.”

According to Queensland Tourism Industry Council Chief Executive Daniel Gschwind, the Great Barrier Reef is “almost certainly the most powerful natural drawcard” that Australia has in a crowded and competitive global tourism market.

“It gives accommodation providers, hospitality businesses, tour operators and transport services across coastal areas an enormous advantage to get the attention of potential customers and provide their services to visitors eager to experience this World Heritage-listed natural icon,” he says.

“The Great Barrier Reef is a tourism billboard that can literally be seen from outer space. Tourism operators are in a strong position to benefit substantially from this prime advertising real estate.”

According to the latest figures from GRMPA, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park reported 1.13 million visitor days in the financial year ending 30 June, 2021. This represented a decrease of around 52 per cent when compared to the previous eight-year pre-COVID average.

With international borders opening, and a renewed sense of optimism in the Australian domestic tourism market, it’s high time we swapped those face masks for snorkel masks. A reef revival? Sign us up.