TOURING THE GREAT BARRIER REEF
Top : Sunbeams shine down on the Great Barrier Reef ; bottom : A small sea turtle swims in the surf .
TOP : TUNATURA / SHUTTERSTOCK . COM ; RIGHT : MICHAEL SMITH ITWP / SHUTTERSTOCK . COM
TOURING THE GREAT BARRIER REEF
A tiny , but mighty creature , hard coral has the intriguing ability to bud and multiply throughout its life . Over the course of thousands of years , the coral will leave behind a trail of limestone casings , eventually creating a vibrant undersea habitat for ocean-dwellers of all varieties . It really is quite amazing , and perhaps the most impressive display of coral ’ s handy work is Australia ’ s Great Barrier Reef , a 1,429-mile stretch of coral reef that ’ s a planet all its own .
As for the inhabitants of that planet , over 9,000 known species call the Great Barrier Reef home . Here , brightly painted fish , eels and crustaceans lurk within rocky outcroppings , camouflaged by wallpapers of red , orange and green . The reef ’ s diverse collection of marine life is a huge draw among tourists who embark on snorkeling , diving and boat tours from the coastal city of Cairns where they hope to catch a glimpse of creatures like sharks , jellies , dolphins and rays .
SUMMER 2023 / THE COMPASS / 37