national marine parks

• DIRECTORY: national marine parks
• visiting national marine parks
• tips for visiting national marine parks

When you visit the Cairns region, you cannot miss the Great Barrier Reef or the fabulous islands that are sprinkled up the coast.

According to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority – the government authority in charge of managing the region – there are about 840 tourism operators and 1700 tourism vessels that operate in the marine park.

The reef fleet operating out of Cairns is the largest on the Great Barrier Reef and offers everything from self-sailing vessels, ferry trips to various islands and catered sailing ships to month long cruises.

On July 1, 2004, the Australian Government brought in new legislation regarding the protection of the Great Barrier Marine Park that designated certain areas off-limits to recreational fishing and tourism.

Threats from increased nutrients entering reef waters, global warming and larger visitor numbers saw scientists advise the then government that restrictions were necessary to protect the reef. At least one-fifth of all bioregions have been designated “no-take” zones for fishing.

visiting national marine parks

Permits are used by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service to help protect the Great Barrier Reef by reducing impacts on high-use and sensitive areas; encouraging responsible behaviour; collecting data and monitoring activities in the Marine Parks.

Most tourist operators need to have a permit to operate on the Great Barrier Reef. The cost of this permit is passed on to the visitor as a “reef tax” either included in the original fee or charged separately. Make sure you check this has been paid prior to boarding so that you aren’t hit with any extras once on board.

If you are self-sailing or driving a permit may not be necessary but you should carefully check the areas that are restricted “no take” zones should you want to fish recreationally.

The Queensland Parks and Wildlife rangers do patrol these areas of the reef and will fine people caught fishing in restricted areas.

There are a number of easily accessible islands dotted the length of the Great Barrier Reef. The two most popular are Fitzroy Island and Green Island.

>> For more information go to our Island Trips section

Remember that although the islands have accommodation in certain areas, they are also marine parks and are therefore home to protected species of flora and fauna in some cases and should, anyway, be treated gently.

There are a huge number of tours available to all the islands and outer reef trips include diving courses, diving trips and cruises … there is something for everyone to enjoy.