Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
National park · Townsville City ·
Vast marine park with diverse islands, abundant sea life
Vast marine park with diverse islands, abundant sea life
"A chain of islands off Queensland—including rainforest-fringed Fitzroy Island and the white-sand Whitsundays—celebrated for world-class reef snorkeling and diving; visitors are encouraged to choose low-impact, reef-friendly experiences to protect the vulnerable ecosystem." - Hannah Walhout Hannah Walhout Hannah Walhout is a senior editor at Travel + Leisure, where she edits the Discoveries section of the print magazine and develops longer stories focusing on food, wine, and spirits. She has previously worked at Food & Wine and in the writing program at NYU Abu Dhabi. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"Australia is the top relaxing destination in the world thanks to its gorgeous natural landscapes and low population density. It provides ample space for travelers to unwind and enjoy peaceful surroundings." - Stacey Leasca Stacey Leasca Stacey Leasca is an award-winning journalist and co-founder of Be a Travel Writer, an online course for the next generation of travel journalists. Her photos, videos, and words have appeare
"This World Heritage Site stretches roughly the length of the U.S. west coast and contains an extraordinarily dense concentration of marine habitats—nearly 3,000 coral reefs, 300 coral cays, 600 continental islands, and 150 inshore mangrove islands—making up about 10 percent of the planet’s coral reef ecosystems. The reef has suffered major recent damage from rising ocean temperatures, pollution, and shifting climate patterns, including four massive coral bleaching events within seven years. Conservation and visitor-education efforts have been stepped up through programs that teach best practices with videos and fast facts, partner with travel platforms to offer incentives, and highlight more than a hundred eco-certified local operators to encourage more sustainable, respectful visitation." - Rachel Chang Rachel Chang Rachel Chang is a travel and pop culture journalist who contributes to Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, Lonely Planet, and more. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
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