The Great Barrier Reef is the largest living thing on Earth. Hugging Queensland's northern coast, countless marine creatures thrive here making this one of the most biodiverse places on our planet and a world heritage site. Our Wildands group based ourselves at Orpheus Island Research Station for the final weeks of our course, where we were able to meet inspiring researchers and explore this island paradise of sandy beaches, mangroves and gorgeous undersea reefs.
Camped out at Yanks Jetty we shared our little stretch of coastline with sea turtles, ospreys and nursing humpback whales. The sandy beach also made the perfect backdrop for hilarious games and epic sunset silhouettes!
A stingray hunts the exposed reef at low tide searching for small creatures to eat, while avoiding being eaten itself in the open sea beyond.
Mangroves fringe many low-lying areas of the GBR's many islands and lagoons. These incredibly adapted plants stabilize the shore and are nursery grounds for countless species.
A tall ship plying the edge of the distant mainland harkens back to days past when Captain Cook first sailed up these coasts in 1770. Charting Terra Australis, the Endeavor's crew 'discovered' the Great Barrier Reef by literally running aground on it.
A massive boxfish lies marooned in a shallow pool during an unusually low tide. Many such wonders await to be discovered at the intertidal zone.
Camped on Orpheus's western side we were treated to epic sunsets and near perfect weather during our stay.
Christy, Daniel, Lydia, Logan and Kara pause for a group photo after another fantastic day at Orpheus Island National Park. We had just returned from doing a sunset creative writing session on the point, reflecting and quietly watching the shadows lengthen while observing a mother and calf humpback only meters away in the harbors still waters.
Lydia spotted this reef octopus exploring pioneer bay's exposed reefs. Stealthy, cryptic and incredibly cool, it was a rare find!
Beneath the waves numerous species of both hard and soft corals populate the island's fringing reefs. Stag horn corals, platform corals, huge boulder corals and many more.
After six weeks exploring the Wet Tropics world heritage area, our time on the Great Barrier Reef was a fitting end to reflect back on what has been an amazing course. The diverse landscapes and wildlife, dedicated conservationists we have met and many memories we've made together will stay with us a lifetime.