How to apply for a permit

Any proposed activity in the Marine Parks that requires a permission is subject to an assessment and a decision on whether the permission is granted.

Outlook Report 2024

Every five years, we publish an Outlook Report that examines the Great Barrier Reef’s health, pressures, and likely future.

Look out for those below as heavy traffic hits the ‘humpback highway’

It’s the time of year for extravagant tail-slapping displays and breathtaking breaches, as thousands of nature’s majestic giants hit the ‘humpback highway’ on their annual journey along Australia’s East coast.

It’s the time of year for extravagant tail-slapping displays and breathtaking breaches, as thousands of nature’s majestic giants hit the ‘humpback highway’ on their annual journey along Australia’s

Tourism and charter permits

Some commercial activities and operations require a permit to occur in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and the Great Barrier Reef (Coast) Marine Park, including tourism programs and charter oper

The Reef’s own little mermaid: Meet Bronte

Bronte Claussen’s story is the type you only read about in picture books.

It sounds like a Disney princess tale, and it just so happens that Reef Authority Marine Scientist Bronte Claussen bears a striking resemblance to Ariel, aka the Little Mermaid.

Tales of species survival

They may have the greatest eyesight in all the ocean, but even sharks can’t read maps. And yet, they are reaping the benefits of arguably the most important map on the Great Barrier Reef – the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Zoning Plan 2003.

They may have the greatest eyesight in all the ocean, but even sharks can’t read maps.

Great Southern Plan with Ian Walker

Counting kangaroos in the dusty wilds of northern Victoria is far from a typical apprenticeship for those charged with conserving and managing Australia’s most iconic marine environments. 

Counting kangaroos in the dusty wilds of northern Victoria is perhaps not your typical apprenticeship for those charged with conserving and protecting Australia’s most iconic marine environments.

Moorings and No-anchoring areas

Where available, moorings help to minimise anchor damage to fragile environments. There are two types of moorings in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park: public moorings and privately

Overview of the Representative Areas Program

In the mid 1990s concerns were raised that the levels of protection provided by the zoning at the time were inadequate to protect the range of biodiversity that existed in the Marine Park.