Woman scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef

This photograph of a woman scuba diving at the Great Barrier Reef in the 1980s gives some insight into the vast and colourfulworld that is one of Earth’s most amazing natural wonders. The opportunity to explore the largest coral reef on the planet is still as popular as ever.

The Whitsundays and the neighbouring coastal area is the traditional home of the Ngaro people, who are also known as the ‘Canoe People’. Archaeological evidence suggests that the Ngaro have lived in the area for the past 9,000 years.

The Ngaro were skilled at using the local island plants, such as using she-oak for medicinal purposes and grass trees for food and tools, including the ingredient for glue.