The Great Barrier Reef: The World’s Largest Living Structure

The Great Barrier Reef is the largest living structure on the planet comprised of some 2,900 individual reefs. Making up about 10 percent of the entire coral reef ecosystems. It stretches down the coast of Queensland and at nearly 2,300 km in length, it is so large it can literally be seen from space.

The Reef itself is now understood to be a key part of a much bigger set of ecological systems, the sum of which give us the Wet Tropics, including the Daintree Rainforest and more. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Area in 1981 and one of the natural wonders of the world. The enormous size and diversity of the GBR means it is one of the richest and most complex natural ecosystems on the planet and one of the most significant for biodiversity conservation.

The Great Barrier Reef is home to a stunning array of animals, from microscopic plankton to whales. The reef supports some 1625 species of fish, six of the world’s seven species of marine turtle and 133 species of sharks and ray. There is a dazzling array of biodiversity to experience with ABC Reef Safaris.

At ABC Reef Safaris, passion for the Great Barrier Reef runs deep. Founders Jay and Astrid Wink first travelled here as visitors, but the Reef’s beauty was so profound they chose to make Port Douglas their permanent home. Living on the doorstep of this natural wonder, they built ABC with a clear purpose: to share the Reef in a way that delivers exceptional experiences while keeping environmental impact to an absolute minimum. Their vision continues to guide every tour, combining world-class adventure with respect for the delicate marine ecosystem that makes the Reef so extraordinary.