Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Marine reserve in Queensland, Australia

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park is a multiple-use marine park lying east of the Queensland mainland coast, from Cape York in the north to south of Gladstone and north of Bundaberg, taking in Lady Elliot Island. It protects almost 3000 reefs, about 10 per cent of the world's coral reef area, home to thousands of coral and invertebrate species, bony fish, sharks, rays, marine mammals, turtles and sea snakes. Its northern boundary at latitude 10°41'S takes in uninhabited Torres Strait islands such as Albany, Turtle Head and Trochus islands.

The Australian government created the protected area in the mid-1970s after oil and gas companies announced drilling plans that would endanger the reef. Later, in the early 2000s, authorities expanded protection zones significantly to preserve more reef sections from human interference.

In May 2022 the Darumbal people were recognised as traditional custodians of 36,606 km2 of ocean off the Central Queensland coast, the largest Traditional Use of Marine Resources Agreement on the reef, marked by a ceremony on the beach at Emu Park. The park supports Indigenous traditional use alongside tourism, fishing and research, and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority manages it partly through traditional owner agreements.

Access to the reserve is mainly through boat tours departing from coastal towns, with some zones requiring special permits to enter. Visitors planning to see the reef should pay attention to weather conditions, as tropical storms during summer months can affect visibility and safety.

The reserve includes more than just coral reefs, encompassing mangrove forests, seagrass beds, and shallow mudflats all considered part of the same ecosystem. While many visitors focus on colorful corals, these side zones are equally important for the survival of countless marine animals that find food and shelter here.