Home - Australian Marine Parks

Australian Marine Parks help conserve marine habitats and the marine species that live within and rely on these habitats.

These marine parks also provide places for people to watch wildlife, dive, and go boating, snorkelling and fishing. Importantly, they create jobs in industries like fishing and tourism, and provide us with food and energy.

The Australian Government has established 60 Australian Marine Parks around the country. They cover 3.8 million square kilometres, or 43% of Australian waters, and are managed by Parks Australia.

Australian Marine Parks are the largest part of Australia’s National Representative System of Marine Protected Areas, which also includes the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Heard Island and McDonald Islands Marine Reserve, and marine parks managed by state and territory governments. This national system of marine parks covers nearly half of Australian waters and is one of the largest areas of marine parks in the world.

Latest marine parks news

Short documentaries show off Christmas Island

Monday 14 October 2024

A series of short documentaries has been released to showcase culture and highlights of Christmas Island.

South-east Network Management Plan consultation

Consultation opens on the draft South-east Marine Parks Network Management Plan

Friday 11 October 2024

The Director of National Parks is inviting comments on a Draft Management Plan for the South-east Marine Parks Network.

Christmas Island on the frontline of battle against ocean plastic pollution

Friday 20 September 2024

Described as Jurassic in nature, Christmas Island is on the frontline in a global battle against ocean plastic pollution.

Better protection for Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands Marine Parks

Friday 9 August 2024

Christmas Island Marine Park and Cocos (Keeling) Islands Marine Parks protect 744,070 km2 of unique marine environments containing vibrant coral reefs sustaining threatened and migratory species, and over 680 fish species, including varieties found nowhere else on earth.

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Where are Australian Marine Parks?

Explore Australian Marine Parks

North-west Marine Parks Network

Orcas at Bremer Marine Park. Photo by David Govoni.

South-west Marine Parks Network

Temperate East Marine Parks Network

South-east Marine Parks Network

Coral reefscape scenery in the Coral Sea off Cairns.

Coral Sea Marine Park

Indian Ocean Territories Marine Parks

North Marine Parks Network

How we manage marine parks

Watch the video to learn more about your marine parks.

Management plans set out how we manage our parks – protecting important marine habitats and species, while allowing people to use and enjoy these special places.

Find out more about how we will manage marine parks under these plans by clicking the links below.