What is the GSR?
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 NSW/Queensland state border. The GSR extends offshore to encompass all reef habitats between the upper intertidal zone and edge of the continental shelf (0 - 250m depth). In shallower waters, reef habitats are characterized by kelp forests and seaweed dominated assemblages as well as adjoining seagrass meadows and oyster reefs. In deeper waters, typically below 30m, sessile invertebrates such as sponges and gorgonians dominate reef habitats.
The Great Southern Reef is a global biodiversity hotspot with many species found no where else on the planet. From cuttlefish to crabs and seadragons to starfish, in our marine life page you will learn about some of the iconic marine species that live in Australia’s kelp forests.
Get inspired by the people who live and breathe the Great Southern Reef. We celebrate the passionate stewards — from abalone farmers pioneering sustainable practices to artists drawing inspiration from the underwater realms and indigenous custodians sharing age-old stories and wisdom. Here, we bring you closer to the people who, with their unique perspectives and endeavours, contribute to the rich and diverse narrative of the Great Southern Reef.
Venture into the untouched corners of the Great Southern Reef, where pristine landscapes meet remote havens of biodiversity. Our places page guides you through a curated taste of the GSR’s iconic places, each offering a unique glimpse into the diverse ecosystems that flourish both above and below the water.
The Great Southern Reef provides a myriad of benefits to humans. All these benefits have value and will hold importance for people, for a variety of reasons. An artist might value the reef for the awe and wonder it provides that inspires their creativity whereas a traditional owner might value the reef for the connection to cultural practices that have been passed on for thousands of generations. Our values page explores how the GSR enriches our lives, and how scientists are working towards quantifying this value.
Australian researchers are working at the global forefront of marine habitat restoration, with projects underway in every state along the Great Southern Reef. Habitat restoration is a resource intensive exercise used as a last resort for areas where vital habitats have been lost or are in decline and natural recovery is not occurring. Our restoration page showcases some of the active restoration projects on the GSR working to restore seaweeds, seagrasses, and oyster reefs.