Southern Great Barrier Reef, Queensland © Tourism and Events Queensland

Guide to the Southern Great Barrier Reef
Majestic manta rays, islands teeming with turtles, lush rainforest and beautiful surf breaks; there’s a reason why we say the ‘great’ starts here.
The Southern Great Barrier Reef is a mecca for mesmerising marine life. It’s here, at the start of the world’s largest coral reef system, where chilled-out turtles, majestic manta rays and friendly humpbacks rule the waters – and you’re invited to join them. Above the water, you can kick back on an uninhabited island, enjoy a little rum fun in Bundaberg or say g’day to the locals while riding the east coast’s most northerly surf. Further inland, swap your blue hues for vivid green rainforest where glistening gorges and ancient caves comprise the Capricorn Coast.