Gulf of Carpentaria Marine Park

The Gulf of Carpentaria Marine Park features undersea pinnacles and coral reefs that support an abundance of fish, seasnakes and sponges.

Gulf of Carpentaria Marine Park, adjacent to the Wellesley Islands, is culturally important for the Lardil, Yangkaal, Kaiadlit and Gangalidda people who have responsibilities for Sea Country here.

The Wellesley Island Sea Claim and Thuwatha/Bujimulla Indigenous Protected Areas overlap with the marine park.

The marine park protects submerged coral reefs, soft sandy seafloors, undersea pinnacles and a near-pristine coastal zone supporting many species that move between fresh and salt water.

Prawns thrive here and commercial prawn fishing is an important activity in the marine park.

Sea snakes and sharks find refuge in the marine park, and turtles and seabirds that breed on nearby islands come here to feed.

Gulf of Carpentaria Marine Park begins 90 kilometres north-west of Karumba and adjacent to the Wellesley Islands. It covers 23,771 square kilometres, with depths from less than 15 metres to 70 metres.

The marine park has National Park and Special Purpose (Trawl) zones.

Discover

Gulf of Carpentaria Marine Park is famous for its network of submerged coral reefs.

These reefs contain many species that are unique to the region, and support diverse communities of large plate corals, abundant soft corals, dense sponge gardens and breeding grounds for many regionally important fish, marine turtle and seabird species.

Select the park area on the map below to see what you can do in the Gulf of Carpentaria Marine Park.