Cairns is probably most famous and most visited for the natural wonder lying just off its coastline.

Being the worlds largest reef, The Great Barrier Reef can be see from outer space and is often referred to as the largest organism in the world. The reef is made up of over 3000 individual reefs and 900 islands that stretch over 2600 kilometres and 344,400 square kilometres.

Since 1981 the reef has been a World Heritage Site, and is largly protected by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park; it is truely a state icon for Queensland.

The reef is home to 30 species of whales and dolphins, and is home to a large population of Dugongs.

	344,400 square kilometres of Reef ... 30 species of whales and dolphins breeding ground to 6 species of sea turtles over 200 species of birds 5000 species of mollusc 17 species of sea snake More than 1500 species of fish 400 species of corals