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 over half of Australian waters and is one of the largest areas of marine parks in the world.

Latest marine parks news

High-Tech Patrol Targets Illegal Fishing in Protected Marine Zones

Friday 16 January 2026

Heading out for a fishing trip over the Australia Day long weekend? Make sure you know where you're allowed to cast your line—fishing in a protected green zone could land you with a hefty infringement notice.

Boosting ocean health by extending the Ghost Nets Initiative

Tuesday 13 January 2026

The Australian Government is extending the highly successful Ghost Nets Initiative, committing $25 million over 4 years from 2025–26 to continue critical work removing deadly ghost nets and marine debris from northern Australia’s coastlines and waters.

Coral Sea Marine Park health assessments

Expedition sheds light on Coral Sea islands' health and resilience

Wednesday 17 September 2025

A 12-day scientific expedition into the central Coral Sea Marine Park (CSMP), 700km off the coast of Queensland, has delivered important insights into the health of 13 remote islands and their surrounding reefs.

Two people in green shirts and widebrim hats sitting on the back of a boat at a desk covered in medical sample vials

New environmental DNA (eDNA) data a game-changer for understanding life in our oceans

Tuesday 29 July 2025

Australia’s rich marine biodiversity is about to become more visible, thanks to a groundbreaking new tool.

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Where are Australian Marine Parks?

Explore Australian Marine Parks

North Marine Parks Network

North-west Marine Parks Network

Orcas at Bremer Marine Park. Photo by David Govoni.

South-west Marine Parks Network

Temperate East Marine Parks Network

Indian Ocean Territories Marine Parks

Coral reefscape scenery in the Coral Sea off Cairns.

Coral Sea Marine Park

South-east Marine Parks Network

How we manage 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 manage marine parks under these plans by clicking the links below.