Great Barrier Reef: #1 Of The 7 Natural Wonders

Cairns’ Great Barrier Reef is hosting representatives from the Seven Natural Wonders Organisation this week, keen to make its mark as the number one natural attraction on earth.

A seven member international delegation from the organisation is in Cairns on a 10-day tour. Highlights will include visiting the Great Barrier Reef’s Moore Reef, Fitzroy Island and the ancient Daintree Rainforests.

The not for profit Seven Natural Wonders Organisation is committed to protecting and promoting the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. What are they? The Great Barrier Reef, Aurora Borealis – Northern Lights, Grand Canyon, Paricutin – Cinder Cone Volcano, Victoria Falls, Mount Everest and the Harbor of Rio de Janeiro.

The primary qualification to be declared a Natural Wonder of the World is that a site must be completely natural. The focus is on unique wonder, beauty and amazement, but statistical factors are also taken into consideration, including height, width and volume.

Cairns’ Great Barrier Reef is easily the gem in the Seven Natural Wonders of the World crown. It is the world’s largest, living coral reef system (bigger than Switzerland, Holland and the United Kingdom combined!), the largest living organism on earth and is even visible from space.

Comprised of over 2,900 individual coral reefs, countless tropical islands, sand and coral cays, the mighty Great Barrier Reef is home to over 2,000 fish species, six of the world’s seven known turtle species, over 175 bird species and about one third of the world’s soft coral and sea pen species, to name just a few.

A place of pristine natural beauty and remarkable biodiversity, the Great Barrier Reef certainly ticks all of the boxes to reign supreme as the world’s greatest natural wonder.

The mission of the Seven Natural Wonders Organisation is threefold.

1. To protect and promote the discovery, exploration and enjoyment of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.
2. To expand the recognition of other wonders of nature by continent, region, country and other unique classifications.
3. To foster a passion for these natural wonders that inspires a mindset and practice of conservation.

The delegation currently in Cairns is comprised of travel bloggers, scientists and photographers who are visiting the region courtesy of a Tourism Queensland initiative.

It is hoped the visit will lift Queensland’s international profile in the American travel market and encourage visitation and awareness of Cairns’ Great Barrier Reef.