October 8 | Australia: Great Barrier Reef
I began today at the sight of the Great Barrier Reef, located off Queensland coast. The reef covers 156,000 square miles, contains 350 species of coral, and is a habitat for 1,500 species of fish and over 2,000 species of birds. The Great Barrier Reef off the northeast coast is the largest coral reef in the world and can be seen by satellite from space. Today, the reef is threatened by increased shipping and its popularity as a tourist site. Long-term concerns over the Great Barrier Reef and the Australian coastline include pollution, particularly depletion of the ozone layer, and management and conservation of coastal areas.

I would like to stay longer to see more of Australia, but I’m to be in New Zealand soon. I did make one very special purchase while here. I’m going home with an Australian boomerang!