A voice and vision for Australia’s temperate reefs.

Our Mission

  • Education

    We provide original, GSR-focussed content and teacher training, to connect kids with their local marine environments. Our educational resources are aligned with the Australian curriculum, are place-based and tailored to all year levels.

  • Community

    Through the production and distribution of original visual media content, we are bringing the Great Southern Reef to the public eye and promoting grassroots engagement with temperate reefs through community connection.

  • Science

    Our advisory committee, made up of leading scientists from across Australia, will synthesise the latest research to inform policy in key areas of public interest and environmental importance on the Great Southern Reef.

white rock film

White Rock is a 45-minute documentary exposing a hidden impact of the climate crisis - the explosion of longspined sea urchins devastating Australia's kelp forests. Through stunning visuals and compelling storytelling, White Rock exposes the threat and presents tangible solutions to save Australia’s kelp forests before it's too late.

Latest News

  • WA's New South Coast Marine Park

    More than 30 years after it was first proposed, Western Australia’s South Coast Marine Park has arrived. Around 20% of state waters along 1000 km of Great Southern Reef will now be fully protected in marine sanctuaries. Until now, there has been no protection in state waters for this richly diverse marine environment.

    We’re thrilled to see iconic offshore islands, including Salisbury and Cooper, recognised with the much-needed sanctuary protection they deserve. The park will be jointly managed with Traditional Owners—a significant and meaningful aspect of its stewardship. 

    This new park is a big win for the Great Southern Reef. Final management zones will come into operation in late 2026. 

    See Interactive Map

  • The South East Marine Park

    When the south-east Network was first established, there was very little known about what lay beneath these isolated and remote waters. Thanks to the dedication of marine scientists and through support from Parks Australia and the various Marine Biodiversity Hubs since the network was established, we’re now better informed and have powerful tools and methodologies to understand and protect these rich and unique marine ecosystems. 

    The Draft Management Plan provides a forward-looking framework for managing the South-east Marine Parks Network from 2025 to 2035. Grounded in adaptive management principles, the plan centres on the protection of biodiversity, conservation of cultural and natural values, and support for sustainable use. This reflects a commitment to evolving practices that align conservation with ongoing scientific insights.

    Learn More

  • New GSR PICTURE BOOK

    This month, we're excited to introduce the new GSR-inspired picture book Growing Up on the Great Southern Reef by Sarah Broughton and Lily Barnett. It is a children’s book that takes young readers on an underwater adventure alongside cousins Indie and Alfie.

    Together, they discover the beauty and diversity of an extraordinary ecosystem, home to giant kelp forests, unique seaweeds, sponges, crustaceans, molluscs, and over 700 species of fish found only along the Great Southern Reef.

    PURCHASE BOOK

explore the great southern reef

NOW PLAYING

  • REEF REFLECTIONS

    Jarvis Smallman, Craig Lebens, Karen Milligan, Jake Poad, and Marc Payne—share their deep connections with Western Australia's Great Southern Reef, highlighting its unique marine life and their personal experiences.

    WATCH. 

  • REVIVING GIANTS

    Dependent on Tasmania’s giant kelp forests more than anyone, Mick and Karen have been instrumental in the efforts to research and rehabilitate these critically endangered ecosystems.

    WATCH

  • RAZORFISH REEFS

    Native flat oyster populations in Kangaroo Island’s waters remain low, and the oysters are considered a threatened species. But there is new hope as local marine scientists and oyster farmers have discovered an unlikely hero.

    WATCH

  • COMBATING URCHINS

    One of the most pressing challenges on the Great Southerm Reef is the rise of the long-spined sea urchin, an invasive species whose unchecked population growth has led to the creation of 'urchin barrens.'

    WATCH

  • SPIDER CRABS

    Every winter, native spider crabs gather in the shallow waters of Port Phillip Bay, amassing in their tens of thousands to complete their moulting process. The changing aggregation sites and timings each year add to the mystery.

    WATCH

  • CUTTLEFISH AGGREGATION

    There is a section of the Great Southern Reef that provides an important breeding ground for the Giant Australian Cuttlefish (Sepia apama), and it is within and underneath these rocks where the cuttlefish lay their eggs.

    WATCH

  • DEEP INSIGHTS

    Scott Bennett and Graham Edgar from the GSR Research Partnership have been sailing around the Great Southern Reef surveying biodiversity as part of the Reef Life Survey lap of Australia.

    WATCH

  • SEADRAGON SECRETS

    Like human fingerprints, seadragon patterns are distinctive and stabilise once they mature at about one year old. SeadragonSearch harnesses the power of citizen science to track them through a simple yet effective tool: photography.

    WATCH

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Support Our Work

Together, we can build a future where the rich biodiversity of our kelp forests thrives and serves as a source of pride for all Australians.