The Best Coral Reefs in Australia

If you are after Australia's most amazing scenery, you can definitely find some of it beneath the waves. Here are some recommendations put together by Australian Geographic

 1 Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia
About 1055km north of Perth, this park is home to the largest fringing coral reef in Australia. Swim among whale sharks, the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef's most famous regular visitors, when they arrive in April for the coral-spawning season.

2 Rottnest Island, Marine Reserve,
Western Australia
Scalyfins, nudibranchs and Western Australian dhufish are just some of the many marine creatures gracing the reefs near Rottnest Island, 25km off the coast of Perth. Snorkel at the coral communities near one of the island's secluded beaches, or join a guided diving tour to see the surrounding reef's treasures.

3 Solitary Islands Marine Park, NSWMore than 550 species of reef fish, 90 species of hard coral and 600 species of mollusc have been identified in the 72200ha park. The first marine park established in NSW, Solitary Islands is home to a range of habitats - open ocean, estuaries, beaches and subtidal reefs.

4 Ribbon Number Three Reef, QLDLocated in the north of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, this 1100ha outer-shelf ribbon reef has benefited from its remoteness. At Steve's Bommie dive site you can see minke whales, barracuda and batfish between June and August, and other species like whitetip reef sharks and blue-stripe snapper year-round.

 

5 Green Island National Park, QLDJust 27km offshore from Cairns, this is a popular place to explore reefs in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Snorkel near the fragile, branching corals in the sheltered lagoon, or see almost 200 varieties of hard coral and more than 100 types of soft coral from a glass-bottomed boat.

Here are many more places in Australia perfect for nature lovers.