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

A fluffy, white Red-Footed Booby chick sitting in green vegetation, staring directly at you

Coral Sea Marine Park islands protected

Thursday 12 March 2026

Parks Australia has increased protections for 4 remote islands in the Coral Sea Marine Park to safeguard and restore their vulnerable ecosystems.

Parks Australia leads successful voyage to Ashmore Reef and Cartier Island Marine Park

Thursday 19 February 2026

In November 2025, Parks Australia completed a successful voyage to Ashmore Reef and Cartier Island marine parks.

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.

View all news

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

South-east Marine Parks Network

Coral reefscape scenery in the Coral Sea off Cairns.

Coral Sea Marine Park

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.