Past Reef health updates

Throughout the year, the Reef Authority provides updates on the health of the Reef which includes key factors such as sea surface temperatures, rainfall, floods, cyclones, crown-of-thorns starfish

About Marine Park permits

Activities within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and Queensland's Great Barrier Reef Coast Marine Park are regulated by permits.

Chief Scientist talks Crown-of-thorns starfish

Few ecosystems on earth are as vulnerable to the impacts of climate change as coral reefs.

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Chief Scientist Dr Roger Beeden explains the future sustainability of the world’s most complex marine ecosystem also relies, in part, on household vinegar!

Seasonal closure: Woody Island, Low Isles

Woody Island and Low Island form the Low Isles, located 15 km north-east of Port Douglas.

Woody Island and Low Island form the Low Isles, located 15 km north-east of Port Douglas. Visitors are advised that Woody Island is closed from 1 October 2024 to 31 March 2025.

What are Master Reef Guides?

Master Reef Guides are striving to be the world’s leading reef guides and interpreters sharing the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.

Structure permits

Facilities (also known as structures) provide a range of different services to commercial operators, recreational users, members of the public, tourists, tourism operators, government agencies, res

Policy and Planning Roadmap

The Policy and Planning Strategic Roadmap has been developed to focus the Authority’s efforts to deliver a proactive, contemporary and risk-based approach to Marine Park policy, planning and regula

Other types of permits

New permissions to carry out works may require public comment with the assessment approach of Public Information Package, Public Environment Report or Environmental Impact Statement.

Master Reef Guides - Cairns and Reef-wide

There are two Master Reef Guides whose work, as Australian Reef Pilots, covers the entire Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.