Unit 5

Passport to Adventure

Alberta Education Outcome

Great Barrier Reef

 Just the Facts

"The Great Barrier Reef is in grave danger. The twin perils brought by climate change, an increase in the temperature of the ocean and its acidity, if they continue to rise at the present rate, the reefs will be gone within decades and that would be a global catastrophe. " ~ Sir David Attenborough


The Great Barrier Reef is one of the most significant and most important eco-systems in the world. Unfortunately, it is also in danger, mostly caused by humans and global warming. Perhaps an understanding will move tourists enough to help preserve this amazing natural phenomenon.

Click each coloured tab to view information about the activity.

Where in the World


The Great Barrier Reef is located in the Coral Sea, off Australia's north-eastern coast. It stretches 2,300 km along the state of Queensland's coastline and is up to 65 km at it widest. The northern tip begins at Cape York Peninsula and extends south to Bundaberg. There are over 900 individual islands within this UNESCO World Heritage area. 


Click Here to Take a Virtual Trip to
The Great Barrier Reef
Using Google Earth 
Tech Help: Moodle works best using Chrome.  So does Google Earth.

At the time of publication, Chrome was the only browser to support Google Earth.  





What to See

The Great Barrier Reef is a haven for water sports enthusiasts.


Here are some of the endless amazing natural things tourists should see when travelling to the Great Barrier Reef:

  • Witness wild black-tip and white-tip reef sharks, grey reef whaler sharks and pygmy rays at Shark Alley, Wheeler Reef.
  • Take an awe-inspiring scenic helicopter flight over Heart Reef in the Whitsundays.
  • Explore rugged beaches on the seven islands of Flinders Group National Park.
  • Test your balance with a stand-up paddle boarding session at Agnes Water to view the region in solitude.
  • Come face-to-face with dwarf minke whales as they frolic in the Tropical North Queensland's warm waters.
  • Take the plunge to get up close and personal with the reef when snorkelling or diving.
  • While on a morning kayak tour along the Daintree, marvel at the spot where the rainforest meets the coast.
  • Toast the morning sun over the Great Barrier Reef aboard a sleep-over catamaran. 
  • Spot wildlife including humpback whales, green sea turtles, kangaroos, crocodiles, spiders . . . in the wild!
  • If this is a bit too adventurous, check them out at local animal sanctuaries including Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo, Kuranda's Koala Gardens, or Hartley's Crocodile Adventure.
  • Snap a selfie with the local superstar potato cod fish, (some weighing up to a whopping 110 kg) while walking on the sea floor at Green Island.
  • Explore the SS Yongala wreck which is consistently rated as one of the top 10 dive sights in the world.
  • Watch turtle hatchlings burst out of their nests and hurl themselves down to the oncoming waves under the moonlight at Mon Repos.

What to Do  

Where Do You Start?

Rather than listing ALL the things available for tourists to do, let's just focus on some of the top rated activities, in no particular order:

  • Diving, snorkelling, diving, snorkelling, diving, snorkelling ... basically, get into the water to see the reef up close and personal. Be warned that these warm waters are home to stinger jellyfish so you will need to wear special suits to protect yourself when they are in season.
  • Take one of the numerous boat tours to suit your level of comfort.
  • Visit the stunningly beautiful sand island, Fraser Island, with its beautiful white sand and blue water. The odds are pretty high you will spot a wild dingo here as well.
  • Embark on a nature and wildlife tour. The typical kangaroo and koalas are obviously huge attractions, however, the bird life ranges from emus and the prehistoric-looking cassowaries to parrots and cockatoos. Now for the more deadly stuff: snakes, spiders, crocodiles, oh me. Yup, they're here!
  • Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsundays is exactly as it claims, white beaches and a haven from the hustle and bustle of life.
  • Include some of the towns and cities during your visit. The Esplanade Boardwalk and swimming lagoon in Cairns, The Strand in Townsville, Port Douglas' Four Mile Beach, or Airlie Beach Lagoon.
  • Take the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway up to the quaint tourist town of Kuranda which travels above the treetops. Travel back down to Cairns on the scenic railway train.