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

Don’t put yourself on the hook this Australia Day Weekend

Thursday 16 January 2025

The Pimpernel Rock National Park within Solitary Islands Marine Park and the Cod Grounds Marine Park, off the coast of Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour in New South Wales, are green zones. Fishing in these zones may result in a hefty fine.

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Where are Australian Marine Parks?

Explore Australian Marine Parks

Coral reefscape scenery in the Coral Sea off Cairns.

Coral Sea Marine Park

Indian Ocean Territories Marine Parks

North Marine Parks Network

North-west Marine Parks Network

South-east Marine Parks Network

Orcas at Bremer Marine Park. Photo by David Govoni.

South-west Marine Parks Network

Temperate East 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.