A new recreational user guide for visitors to the Whitsundays provides information on how visitors can enjoy their stay and protect this iconic area of the Great Barrier Reef.
Produced by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, "Visiting the Whitsundays — A guide for recreational visitors" provides a one-stop shop for recreational users.
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority director of policy and planning Belinda Jago encouraged locals and visitors to the Whitsundays to access and use this free guide.
"We encourage all recreational locals and visitors to the Whitsunday area to use the guide, so they are aware of what they need to do when visiting this beautiful part of the world," she said.
"The Whitsundays is one of the highest visited areas in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, and there are special rules in place to protect it.
"The Great Barrier Reef is under pressure from increasing threats — it's important that users are aware of the rules and responsible reef practices when visiting the Whitsundays."
The new guide provides information on zoning, spearfishing, no-anchoring areas, public moorings and motorised water sports.
It covers the full range of recreational use in the area from boating, fishing, snorkelling and diving to where you can access detailed information about camping and local walking trails.
The Whitsundays is one of the most highly visited regions in the Great Barrier Reef and includes more than 80 islands.
The reefs and islands support a variety of wildlife including protected species such as humpback whales, turtles, dolphins, seabirds and dugong.
The Whitsundays is jointly managed by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.
Hard copies are available from the Airlie Beach Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service office, bait and tackle stores and recreational supply shops throughout the region.
Electronic copies are also available online.
