The Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Great Barrier Reef - from the air.

The Great Barrier Reef on Australia‘s north-eastern continental shelf is a site of exceptional natural beauty stretching for 2,000 km (1,250 mi) and covering an area of about 350,000 sq. km (135,100 sq. mi), making it larger than the whole of Italy. It is not only the largest UNESCO World Heritage Site on earth but also contains the world‘s most extensive coral reef system.

Composed of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 island in the whole area located in the Coral Sea, off the coast of Queensland, Australia. It can be seen from outer space and is the world’s largest single structure made by living organism.

Beautiful fishes swimming.

Colorful scene under the water.

The reef runs mainly north to south, passing through a number of different climates, accounting for the thousands of different species of marine life that inhabit it. It is made up of 3,400 individual reefs, including nearly 800 fringing reefs, coral islands, continental islands covered in forest, sandbars, and mangrove systems linked by huge turquoise lagoons.

The whole reef is under threat from global warming, with increasing damage to the coral itself, but it is of vital importance to the world’s ecosystem, containing as it does a third of the planet‘s soft coral species, the largest existing green turtle breeding site, 30 different species of mammal, including breeding humpback whales and a large dugong population, as well as sponges, molluscs, 1,500 types of reef fish and 200 species of birds. It also contains fascinating original archaeological sites and is probably the most spectacular marine Wilderness on earth.

Great Barrier Reef stretching over long area.

Beautiful corals.

Noosa, Australia

Beautiful beech in Noosa.

Noosa is situated at the most exclusive end of the Sunshine Coast about 140 km (90 mi) north of Brisbane, and is an area where many celebrities have a home. It sits within a beautiful headland with the mouth of the Noosa River west of the town, a stretch of beach to the east, and the small but charming Noosa National Park covering the headland itself, an area of 23 sq. km (9 sq. mi).

Noosa has been popular with the surfing fraternity for about 40 years, since the big waves that crash into the headland first came to their notice. Today all kinds of water sports are pursued upon the river and its creeks as well, such as windsurfing, kayaking and jet skiing. It is an ideal place for boating, or you can just take it easy and go fishing at the river mouth.

Location map.

Main area.

The headland and cliffs in the national park rise to 200 m (660 ft.) and overlook sheltered bays and splendid ocean views. The park contains high dunes and coastal heath as well as different types of grasslands and scrub, forest and rainforest. In all, 13 separate plant communities have been defined in this small area, and various walking trails have been formed, such as the palm grove route and the coastal route. You may see koalas clinging to the eucalyptus but the main focus of the park’s diverse habitats is the 121 different species of bird that make their homes here.

Welcome to Noosa.

Noosa coastline.

Kakadu National Park, Australia

Kakadu National Park from the air.

Kakadu National Park is an area of 20,000 sq. km (7,720 sq. mi) lying about 150 km (90 mi) east of Darwin, and is the largest national park in Australia. It includes the whole of the South Alligator River, which is actually home to a large crocodile population, and various other habitats including heathland, eucalyptus woods and rainforest.

Two different species of crocodile live here — Johnston crocodiles, which live in fresh water and mainly eat fish, and estuarine crocodiles, which are a very different thing. These creatures are the largest reptiles in the world, and can live in both fresh and salt water. They can grow up to 6 m (20 ft.) in length, can be extremely dangerous and occasionally kill careless tourists.

Kakadu map.

The park is home to a huge range of flora and fauna — more than 10,000 species of insects, 25 per cent of Australia’s freshwater fish, kangaroos, wallabies, dingoes, water buffalo and many more. There are also about 5,000 sites of Aboriginal art, from many different eras. The town of Jabiru, on the eastern side, is near the Ranger Uranium Mine, and has a small airport from where it is possible to arrange scenic flights across the park in helicopters or light aircraft. The area is far too large to see in one day, but there are camping sites and resorts where you can base yourself for longer stays, and the Park Headquarters and Visitors Centre is full of useful information.

Aboriginal painting in Kakadu.

Wetland area.