Anchors Aweigh! Reef Trails Project Delivers 91 Public Moorings To Protect Coral Ecosystems

The Queensland Government’s $3.9 million Reef Trails project has far exceeded its original goal, delivering 91 new public moorings for boaters and tourism operators along the Great Barrier Reef—three times its initial target of 30. This initiative ensures the protection of fragile coral ecosystems by providing sustainable mooring options.
The latest moorings in the Whitsundays and off the Capricorn Coast are now operational.
There is now a network of 362 public moorings and 298 Reef Protection Markers across the Great Barrier Reef.
The most recent public moorings to become operational, 15 new moorings off the Capricorn Coast and three in the Whitsundays, are the final moorings to be installed under the government’s $3.9 million “Reef Trails” project.
Since 2020, this project has successfully installed 91 new public moorings in reef waters, including 63 in the Whitsundays. This initiative enhances reef protection while simultaneously improving access for boaters and tourism operators to experience and enjoy this iconic natural wonder.

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Environment and Tourism Minister Andrew Powell and Ranger Max Van Der Leden. Photo credit: Victoria Velton.

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Moor Protection For The Reef

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The Crisafulli Government has delivered an additional 91 public moorings for boaties and tourism operators along the Great Barrier Reef, ensuring delicate coral eco-systems are protected.
Environment and Tourism Minister Andrew Powell said he was pleased to announce the new public moorings installed under the Reef Trails project.
“The Reef Trails project highlights the importance of assisting our boating community by installing public moorings,” Minister Powell said.
“The Great Barrier Reef attracts visitors from all over the world and contributes $6.4 billion to Queensland’s economy every year while supporting around 64,000 full-time jobs.
“It’s vital to our tourism and recreational industry but it is also one of the world’s most valued ecosystems, a World Heritage Area that is unparalleled on planet Earth and requires every environmental protection available.”
The moorings, which reduce anchor damage on coral reefs, have blue, cone-shaped buoys with a colour-coded band that describes the class (vessel length) and maximum wind strength limits that apply.
The Reef Trails project, which is now complete, has also seen 30 new reef protection markers (RPMs) installed – with 26 in the Whitsundays.
RPMs are white, pyramid-shaped buoys with a blue label that indicate no-anchoring areas.
Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm said the new infrastructure could unlock regional economies.
“By offering a protected way to access the reef, we have the chance to educate even more visitors on how to preserve this beautiful natural wonder.
“We’ll also see a boost for the local contractors required to install and maintain the moorings.”
Read more on how these moorings can help protect the reef on page 18 of ‘Ruth 2 Reef’.
Caption: RPM indicating no-anchoring area. Photo sourced.

Page 18 (Ruth 2 Reef)
Buoy What A Good Idea!
The Great Barrier Reef offers breathtaking views both above and beneath the water's surface, but it also harbours delicate ecosystems increasingly threatened by various growing pressures.
These combined stresses undermine the reef's resilience, impairing its ability to recover from significant disturbances, such as frequent coral bleaching events predicted to occur more often in the future.
The Great Barrier Reef, along with its surrounding island national parks, is home to numerous well-established fringing reefs, which are especially vulnerable to anchor damage. A single drop of an anchor can cause immediate harm, and while recovery may take years, the coral may never fully return to its previous state.
The government’s Reef Trails project is a vital initiative for safeguarding the reef, serving two essential purposes. First, it designates areas where boats should refrain from anchoring, helping to prevent damage to fragile ecosystems. This is achieved through the use of white pyramid-shaped buoys with blue labels, which clearly mark no-anchoring zones.
Second, the project offers an effective alternative by installing moorings, enabling visitors to experience the reef responsibly and sustainably.
Environment and Tourism Minister Andrew Powell explained how the project has been a huge success so far:
“We're getting to a point of capacity in terms of what we can put out in the Whitsundays,”
“But there's certainly more work we can look at across the Great Barrier Reef to the north and south.”
Marine Park Ranger Max Van Der Leden stated the moorings will be upkept by contractors, with the help of ranger dive inspections, to clean and replace as quickly as possible when needed.
Owner of bareboat charter company Whitsunday Escape and President of the Whitsunday Bareboat Operators Association, Trevor Rees, stated that using these moorings allows boaties to safeguard fragile coral formations and seagrass beds that could otherwise be impacted by anchoring.
“We thank the Queensland Government for expanding public moorings, as they minimise accidental harm and encourage responsible boating habits, particularly in disbursing vessels and discouraging crowding at other anchoring points.
“The moorings will play a vital role in maintaining the Reef’s natural beauty and ecological health, ensuring it remains a treasure for future generations.”
Online maps showing the locations of public moorings on the Great Barrier Reef are available: Public moorings and no anchoring areas | Environment, land and water | Queensland Government (www.qld.gov.au)

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