From the giant marine life that call the Southern Great Barrier Reef home, to the turtles that return to our shores each year, and the rich farmland that feeds the nation, this is a place best enjoyed with care.
While you’re here exploring, there are a few simple travel choices you can make that may help reduce your impact. Nothing complicated, just good, thoughtful habits while you’re on the road. Every little bit counts.
Beach days done right: reef-conscious choices in the water
Before you head out swimming, snorkelling, or cruising the coast, take a moment to check your sunscreen.
Some ingredients in certain sunscreens may contribute to stress on sensitive marine environments, so many visitors choose reef-conscious options while they’re in the water. You’ll find them at most supermarkets and pharmacies, making it an easy swap for your holiday kit.
It’s a simple travel habit that helps you enjoy the ocean while being mindful of what you’re bringing into it.
Travelling light: how to ditch single-use plastics on the go
Whether you’re grabbing a coffee on a road trip, packing snacks for a beach day, or filling up the car for a hinterland adventure, single-use plastics can sneak into your travels quickly.
As a visitor, you can help reduce this by packing a reusable water bottle, bringing a keep cup, carrying a reusable bag, and choosing unpackaged options where possible.
It’s an easy way to keep your trip lighter, cleaner, and a bit more conscious along the way.
Less bin, more fun: easy ways to cut waste while you’re staying here
Whether you’re staying in a hotel, holiday park, or self-contained accommodation, food waste can add up quickly while travelling.
Simple things like only buying what you’ll use, saving leftovers for later, or using accommodation recycling and composting options (where available) can help reduce what goes to landfill during your stay.
It’s a small travel habit that keeps things a little more responsible while you’re away from home.
Fancy helping the reef while you explore? Here’s how
If you’re exploring the Southern Great Barrier Reef, you’ve got the chance to do more than just see it, you can help record what you see.
Visitors can use tools like reef health charts or apps designed for travellers to log sightings and conditions while out on the water. These observations contribute to ongoing monitoring used by scientists and reef managers.
It’s a great way to feel more connected to the place you’re experiencing, while also giving something back during your visit.
How & where to go:
- Monitor the health of the reef with CoralWatch’s Coral Health Chart, which uses colour as an indicator of health
- Download the free Eye On The Reef app to collect valuable information on the reef and marine animals; and
- Purchase your own REEFSearch Field Kit to use while you’re out exploring from Reef Check Australia.
While you’re travelling, reuse what you can along the way
From packing for day trips to collecting souvenirs, travel often comes with extra “stuff.”
While you’re here, try reusing what you already have. Refill bottles, reuse bags, and think twice before buying items that may only be used once. If you pick up something new, consider how it might be reused during your trip or once you’re home.
It’s all about travelling a little lighter and making the most of what you’ve already got.
