Explore the reef
Discover the extraordinary animals and seaweeds that call Australia’s Great Southern Reef home.
Marine Life
Biodiversity of the GSR
Life Beneath the Surface
From giant cuttlefish and leafy seadragons to seals, lobsters, sea stars and kelp, the Great Southern Reef supports an extraordinary diversity of life — including many species found nowhere else on Earth.
MAMMALS
Seals, sea lions, dolphins and whales rely on the reef’s productive waters and sheltered coastal habitats.
CEPHALOPODS
Octopuses, squid and cuttlefish are among the reef’s most intelligent and adaptable inhabitants.
FISH
From tiny reef fish to iconic seadragons and large pelagic species, the Great Southern Reef supports remarkable fish diversity.
CRUSTACEANS
Crabs, lobsters, prawns and other crustaceans play important roles in reef food webs and nutrient cycling.
INVERTIBRATES
Sea stars, urchins, sponges, molluscs and other invertebrates are fundamental to reef health and biodiversity.
SEAWEEDS
More than 1,500 seaweed species occur across the Great Southern Reef, including the kelps that create its underwater forests.
A Reef Found Nowhere Else
Extraordinary Endemism
Many marine species in southern Australia are found nowhere else on Earth. The Great Southern Reef is a global hotspot of unique and remarkable life.
Continue Exploring
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FAQ
Find clear answers about Australia’s temperate reefs, marine life, climate pressures, research and the work of the Great Southern Reef Foundation.
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Kelp Forests
Kelp forests form the living foundation of the Great Southern Reef, creating food, shelter and nursery habitat for an extraordinary diversity of marine life.
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Citizen Science
Get involved and help researchers better understand and protect the reef.
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