Iconic Locations Of The Great Southern Reef

You probably didn't know were part of the reef

By Great Southern Reef Foundation

The Great Southern ReefGreat Southern Reef Foundation

The Great Southern Reef (GSR) is an interconnected system of temperate reefs spanning over 8,000 km around Australia's southern coastline - from Kalbarri in Western Australia to the New South Wales / Queensland state border.

Golden Kelp. Australia's Great Southern ReefGreat Southern Reef Foundation

Named to rival the famous Great Barrier Reef, the GSR is the home of Golden Kelp - a habitat, food and shelter for a diverse range of species.

Coast, Eyre Peninsula Aerial by Stefan AndrewsOriginal Source: @ocean_imaging

Despite it being the home of iconic locations, many people don't know it exists.

Here are just five that offer a unique glimpse into the diverse ecosystems that flourish both above and below the water.

Surfer Bells Beach Australia by Stefan AndrewsOriginal Source: @ocean_imaging

1. Bells Beach, VIC

Victoria's Bells has crafted a reputation through surf culture and folklore as an internationally renowned surfing icon. As well as hosting the longest running annual international surfing contest, its surfing history is commemorated in its status as a Surfing Recreation Reserve.

Bells Beach - how a world first became a model for conservationGreat Southern Reef Foundation

Hear Australian National Surfing Museum Curator Craig Baird shed some light on the background behind the establishment of the Bells Surfing Recreation Reserve (a world first).

Kangaroo Island coastline by Stefan AndrewsOriginal Source: @ocean_imaging

2. Kangaroo Island, SA

Over one third of South Australia's Kangaroo Island is protected in nature reserves, home to native wildlife like sea lions, koalas and diverse bird species. Beneath its rocky shorelines, a colourful array of marine life thrives in the surrounding isolated and productive reefs.

Discover Kangaroo Island's secret underwater worldGreat Southern Reef Foundation

Discover Kangaroo Island's secret underwater world - rarely visited by divers yet supports many species found nowhere else on the planet.

Gorgonian Fan Coral by Stefan AndrewsOriginal Source: @ocean_imaging

3. Port Phillip & 'The Rip', VIC

100 years ago, Victoria's Port Phillip Bay was home to an extensive oyster and mussel reef system that supported a vast range of other sea life including not only a variety of marine animals, but also the sponges and seaweeds necessary to form a habitat and a thriving reef.

Golden Kelp Forest by Stefan AndrewsOriginal Source: @ocean_imaging

The entrance to the Bay is considered one of the world’s most treacherous sea passages, flanked by kelp lined rocky reefs and hidden pinnacles on which many ships have fallen victim. The entrance can be extremely wild with ripping currents and breaking swells.

Sponge Gardens, Bicheno, TAS by Stefan AndrewsOriginal Source: @ocean_imaging

The Rip is a 100m deep trench and the ancient path of Melbourne’s Yarra River. Within around 800 meters of the heads, there is a shallow rocky flat known as the Rip Bank - an inequality of depth combined with extremely fast tidal streams which can reach over 6 knots.

Deep purple sponge by Stefan AndrewsOriginal Source: @ocean_imaging

The strong, consistent water movements make this passage a filter feeders paradise. Overhangs and sheer walls are lined with sponges, ascidians, gorgonians, hydroids, sea tulips, starfish and more. With all its nooks and crannies it's the perfect cray habitat.

Esperance aerial by Stefan AndrewsOriginal Source: @ocean_imaging

4. Esperance, WA

“There really isn’t anywhere as pristine as Esperance.” - Jaimen Hudson.

The town of Esperance in southern Western Australia sits on the edge of a dense archipelago that offers thousands of dive sites with vibrant colored reefs, huge swim throughs and giant schools of fish.

Jaimen Hudson - Pristine EsperanceGreat Southern Reef Foundation

Explore Esperance's natural beauty through the eyes of the internationally recognised drone photographer, Jaimen Hudson.

Kelp Sydney by Louise NottOriginal Source: @louisenott_underwater

5. Sydney Harbour, NSW

Sydney Harbour is one of the most biodiverse harbours in the world. More than 580 different species of fish and 2,473 species of polychaetes, crustaceans, echinoderms and molluscs have been recorded in its waters. And that’s what we currently know!

Sydney harbour's incredible marine life revealed by Reef Life Survey diversGreat Southern Reef Foundation

Watch Sydney Harbour's incredible marine life revealed by Reef Life Survey divers.

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