Great Barrier Reef is the first non-human nominated for this award

By Emily Murphy
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Sir David Attenborough won it. Now the Great Barrier Reef wants in.

In a bold, world-first move, the Great Barrier Reef has been nominated for the United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) Lifetime Achievement Award – an honour traditionally reserved for living individuals. The twist? The Great Barrier Reef isn’t human, but it is living.

Announced on World Earth Day (22 April), the nomination is part of The Lifetime of Greatness Project, a global campaign spearheaded by Reef Guardian Councils and supported by Traditional Owners, marine scientists, students and tourism operators. Together, they’re calling on the world to recognise the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef not just as a natural wonder – but as a living entity deserving of the planet’s highest environmental honour.

Turtle on Great Barrier Reef at Lady Musgrave Island

The Great Barrier Reef has been nominated for UNEP’s Lifetime Achievement Award. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Previous recipients of the award include the legendary Sir David Attenborough, who famously called the Great Barrier Reef “one of nature’s most impressive creations". But under UNEP’s own criteria, there’s room for interpretation. The award is granted to a “living individual", and an individual is defined as a “distinct entity". The Reef’s supporters argue it fits the bill.

“Using UNESCO’s definition of the Great Barrier Reef as a globally outstanding and significant entity, we argue that the Great Barrier Reef meets the entry requirements," chair of the Reef Guardian Council Jeff Baines says.

“The Great Barrier Reef is a mentor, leading by example in teaching us that you have got to work together for the future of our planet. A lifetime that great deserves to be recognised."

Hardy Reef in the Whitsundays on the Great Barrier Reef

The award is granted to a “living individual". (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

The campaign’s submission video features Traditional Owners describing the Reef as a teacher, healer and provider, while marine biologists champion its role as a biodiverse powerhouse, home to more than 9000 species.

Tourism Tropical North Queensland CEO Mark Olsen says the Great Barrier Reef is life-changing for many people who visit.

“We firmly believe that the individual who has had the largest impact on the world is the world’s largest individual, and we hope people around the world will share this understanding through The Lifetime of Greatness Project," he says.

Clown fish in coral on the Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef would be the first non-human to win the award. (Image: Tourism Tropical North Queensland)

If successful, the Great Barrier Reef would be the first non-human ever to receive the UNEP’s top accolade, sending a powerful message about the way we value and protect our ecosystems.

Great Barrier Reef Foundation managing director Anna Marsden says the world is ready to acknowledge that greatness can come in many forms.

“The Great Barrier Reef isn’t just an environmental icon – it’s a living entity that has quietly nurtured life for millennia," she says.

“This is our moment to give back and honour its contribution with the recognition it deserves while also raising awareness of the ongoing work being done to protect its beauty and biodiversity."

Join the movement: Sign your support and help nominate the Great Barrier Reef, and share your voice to help this living legend get the recognition it deserves.

Emily Murphy is Australian Traveller's Email & Social Editor, and in her time at the company she has been instrumental in shaping its social media and email presence, and crafting compelling narratives that inspire others to explore Australia's vast landscapes. Her previous role was a journalist at Prime Creative Media and before that she was freelancing in publishing, content creation and digital marketing. When she's not creating scroll-stopping travel content, Em is a devoted 'bun mum' and enjoys spending her spare time by the sea, reading, binge-watching a good TV show and exploring Sydney's vibrant dining scene. Next on her Aussie travel wish list? Tasmania and The Kimberley.
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This Great Barrier Reef tour is the best thing I’ve done in Australia

    By Rachael Thompson
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    Evegreen Editor Rachael Thompson travelled to the world’s largest coral reef system for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

    I recently headed up to Hamilton Island to stay at the island’s newest resort, The Sundays. What I thought couldn’t be a more perfect couple of days exploring the luxury accommodation and Whitsunday Island became an even more incredible adventure after I was also invited to jump on a helicopter for the Journey to the Heart Tour to see Heart Reef.

    The adventure began on Hamilton Island. Only six people can do this experience at any given time, so we hopped in a helicopter, ready to be treated to spectacular Whitsunday views. After about 30 minutes of flying, seeing Hamilton Island and the pristine Whitehaven Beach from above, we reached the striking boundary where the reef begins, with turquoise waters and clusters of coral coming into view.

    A view of Whitehaven beach from a helicopter.

    Aerial views of Whitehaven Beach. (Image: Rachael Thompson)

    Eventually, the pilot informed us that we were about to fly around the Heart Reef. Heart Reef was discovered in 1975 by a local pilot. This exquisite natural phenomenon is approximately 17 metres long and, as the name suggests, is shaped like a heart. I’d seen photos of Heart Reef before, on postcards and marketing campaigns. But nothing compares to witnessing its distinctive shape in person. It’s the kind of moment that makes you pause – not just to take a photo, but to truly take it in.

    We circled above Heart Reef a couple of times to take in the full view before landing on a luxurious, sustainably designed pontoon in a nearby lagoon — the whole experience felt very James Bond-esque.

    Aerial view of Heart Reef

    Heart Reef from above. (Image: Jason Hill and Tourism & Events Queensland)

    We headed downstairs, where there were tables and lounges for relaxing and taking in the idyllic views. Paddi, our friendly tour guide, greeted us and ushered us onto a small boat. Paddi drove us around the surrounding reef (you can’t get too close to Heart Reef), educating us on the species living in the area. It was here that I noticed myself feeling like my child-like self who visited the reef with my family when I was 10 years old. As Paddi pointed out colourful fish and coral through the boat’s glass bottom, I found myself gasping and exclaiming, “Look how cute it is!” I felt incredibly excited and lucky to witness the workings of one of the world’s greatest natural wonders.

    A pontoon sitting on the Great Barrier reef near Heart Reef.

    Your tour guide will take you on a boat around the reef. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

    We then headed back to the pontoon to get our snorkelling equipment and enjoy approximately 45 minutes in the water. Visitors are unable to snorkel or dive at Heart Reef due to its protected status, but the surrounding reef area is truly spectacular.

    At a delightful 26.6 degrees Celsius, the water felt perfect. Parrotfish, Blue Stripe Clarkii Clownfish and needlefish playfully swam around, a large piece of coral proudly showed us its vibrant purple colour and giant clams rested serenely on the sandy seabed. With only six of us snorkelling, it was quiet and the energy was peaceful. 

    A pontoon with a helicopter in the Great Barrier Reef.

    Swim in pristine water and discover a myriad of marine species. (Image: Rachael Thompson)

    To top off the experience, once we had finished snorkelling, we were treated to a glass of bubbles back on the pontoon, where we exchanged stories of how incredible the experience had been for each of us. 

    It’s worth noting that there are no restroom facilities on the pontoon. As the excursion lasts approximately three hours, it’s advisable to plan accordingly before departure.

    A view from a pontoon on the Great Barrier Reef.

    Relax and enjoy a glass of bubbles while you admire the azure waters. (Image: Rachael Thompson)

    At $1400 per person, this tour is definitely on the pricier end. But to be honest, it felt like a billionaire experience. Moments like this make me fall in love with Australia all over again and highlight even more how desperately this iconic part of the world needs to be protected.

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