Be an ambassador for the ocean: how tourists can help the Great Barrier Reef

Stretching across about 350,000 sq km of Queensland coastline, the Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral system and sits alongside the Wet Tropics of Queensland, including the Daintree rainforest. That proximity makes it easy for visitors to combine marine and rainforest experiences, while the deep connections that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have with these landscapes give the places cultural and spiritual meaning beyond their ecological value.

Perceptions of the reef have shifted in recent years: some travellers worry about bleaching and damage, others visit out of a sense of last chance urgency. Despite these concerns, the reef remains resilient. Dr Eric Fisher points out it has survived for millions of years and can recover from disturbances, and Fiona Merida notes that direct experiences turn an abstract environment into something personal, creating ambassadors who are more likely to protect it.

Tourism also underpins conservation.

Australia, Queensland

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