Discover the Great Barrier Reef: Sustainable Travel Tips
Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is a majestic 2300km-long stretch of vibrant marine life; however, it faces significant threats, such as coral bleaching events that occurred in 2016 and 2017, resulting in considerable coral loss. Consequently, UNESCO has considered placing the reef on its List of World Heritage in Danger.
Caring for the Reef
Each individual can contribute to the reef’s preservation, starting with simple choices like selecting your destination. Up to 85% of visitors witness the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns or in the Whitsunday Islands. By exploring less-visited areas along the Queensland coast and islands, you can help ensure minimal impact on the reef.
Live Aboard a Dive Boat from Townsville
Located 350km south of Cairns, Townsville offers the opportunity to board the city’s only live-aboard reef boat, operated by Adrenalin Snorkel and Dive. Explore little-visited areas of the central reef on two- and three-day dive and snorkel trips, including renowned dives at the SS Yongala wreck. Adrenalin also offers day trips to the coral gardens and canyons at Lodestone Reef, located offshore from Townsville. Further south, Heron Island and Lady Elliot Island resorts provide serene spots with coral and sustainable stays.
Renewable Energy on Lady Elliot Island
Lady Elliot Island, famous for its manta rays and sea turtles, features a resort with exceptional eco-friendly practices. The Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort aims to operate on 100% renewable energy, utilizing over 400 solar panels and implementing on-site composting. Guests can embark on the Climate Change Trail, an educational hour-long walk that discusses the impacts of climate change on coral cays.
Research and Conservation on Heron Island
This tiny coral cay, renowned for its nesting turtles from January to May, also provides fantastic reef snorkeling directly off the beach and boasts more than 20 dive sites around it. Jaques Cousteau famously rated Heron Island as one of his top 10 dive sites. The island hosts a resort and a University of Queensland research station, offering educational tours for guests to gain valuable reef insights.
Sustainable Practices at Lizard Island National Park
Located 250km north of Cairns, Lizard Island Resort has been part of a national park since 1937. The resort shares this beautiful 1013-hectare island with a coral-reef research station managed by the Australian Museum. Visitors can take guided tours of the research station. In September 2018, the resort eliminated all plastic bottles and straws, recycling about 60% of its waste while the rest is transported to the mainland.
Education Before Your Visit
Prior to your reef adventure, enhance your understanding of the ecosystem. In Cairns, Reef Teach offers informative shows three evenings a week, aiming to enhance visitor appreciation of the reef. Additionally, Townsville’s Reef HQ, the world’s largest living reef aquarium, serves as the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority national education center, offering extensive knowledge about marine preservation.
Eco-Friendly Tour Operators
When you venture into the ocean, it’s encouraging to know that the GBRMPA only licenses tour operators with ecotourism certification, ensuring that every reef expedition is conducted with sensitivity and sustainability. Furthermore, some operators have taken additional steps to enhance their conservation efforts.
Eye to Eye Marine Encounters, run by former commercial anglers, offers opportunities for reef researchers and scientists on multi-day trips, funding valuable research through trip fees. One of the largest reef tour providers, Quicksilver, employs a dedicated Reef Biosearch division, asserting to be Australia’s largest marine biology employer outside government agencies, maintaining detailed logs of reef observations since 1986.
Participate in Conservation Initiatives
Engaging in conservation efforts during your visit is readily achievable through numerous citizen science projects. The GBRMPA’s Eye on the Reef app allows you to contribute photos and videos of noteworthy sightings—such as protected species, signs of bleaching, or the invasive crown-of-thorns starfish—helping authorities monitor the reef’s condition.
The University of Queensland’s CoralWatch program provides participants with a coral health chart to match and document coral colors while snorkeling or diving, submitting results via the CoralWatch app or website. Other initiatives include Redmap and Project Manta, where you can share images to help build databases of uncommon species and manta rays, respectively.
Engage in Clean-Up Programs
If you seek a more hands-on approach to contribute to reef health, consider joining a clean-up program. Organizations like Eco Barge Clean Seas have successfully removed nearly 200,000kg of marine debris from the Whitsundays’ waters and coastline since 2009. Additionally, the Tangaroa Blue Foundation promotes volunteer opportunities for marine debris clean-ups throughout Australia, with a focus on areas surrounding the Great Barrier Reef.
This article was first published November 2019, last updated January 2020.
