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Australia’s Other Great Reef
Australia is known for its iconic natural wonders, including the world-famous Great Barrier Reef. But on the country’s north-western coast lies a lesser-known marvel: Ningaloo Reef. As the world’s largest fringing reef and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ningaloo offers a stunning oceanic forest stretching for hundreds of kilometres—an underwater paradise rich with coral, manta rays, reef sharks, and whale sharks.
A Heatwave Hits Ningaloo
This year, Ningaloo was struck by a marine heatwave, stressing the coral and causing widespread bleaching. The vibrant colors are fading to white, and scientists are alarmed by the scale of damage. Unlike past events where parts of Australia were spared, both the eastern and western coasts have now been affected—an unprecedented development that experts describe as devastating.
“A Raging Underwater Bushfire”
Paul Gamblin of the Australian Marine Conservation Society calls it “a raging underwater bushfire” that’s lasted for months. The heatwave originated in the Caribbean in 2023, traveled across the Indo-Pacific, and reached Western Australia in the summer of 2025. It’s part of the fourth global bleaching event, impacting more than 80% of coral reefs worldwide.
Coral in Crisis
Dr Kate Quigley explains the biology behind coral bleaching. Corals rely on algae that live inside their tissues to function, just as humans rely on gut bacteria. When the water gets too warm, this relationship breaks down. “Just like humans get sick,” she says, “corals get sick too.” Of greater concern is the duration of the warming—temperatures have stayed high well past summer, offering no time for recovery.
Holding Out for Survival
Dr Tom Holmes and his team are monitoring Ningaloo’s condition with follow-up surveys planned months after the bleaching. While some corals have been known to survive extended bleaching, the full extent of mortality is still unknown. Meanwhile, tourists are reporting heartbreakingly lifeless underwater scenes, and local communities worry about the economic fallout from reduced visitation.
Witnessing the Decline
Tourists and locals alike describe the grief they feel while swimming over dying reefs. “It was like snorkelling on a corpse,” said one visitor. Others have cried in the water. Conservation worker Sara Morgillo stresses the importance of still coming to Ningaloo—not just to see the beauty that remains, but to witness the climate crisis firsthand.
Why Is This Happening?
The cause is clear: climate change driven by carbon emissions. Oceans absorb 90% of global warming, and the past decade has been the warmest since records began. Near Ningaloo, this crisis is made more complex by proximity to one of the world’s largest fossil fuel projects—the North West Shelf gas plant, which has government approval to operate until 2070.
Fossil Fuels vs. Natural Wonders
Despite the reef’s suffering, Australia continues to expand fossil fuel infrastructure. Paul Gamblin finds this juxtaposition “incomprehensible,” calling for the government to draw a line. Ningaloo and the Great Barrier Reef, he says, are as precious as the Amazon or Antarctica—and must be protected from further harm.
Science Offers Hope—but Not the Solution
Efforts are underway to better understand and map the reef. Researchers like Dr Chris Roelfsema are combining satellite imaging and underwater photography to track coral health. Meanwhile, Dr Quigley’s team is breeding more heat-resistant corals in labs. While promising, she acknowledges these efforts are not scalable replacements for reducing emissions.
Coral Reefs: A Warning and a Shield
Despite often being “out of sight,” coral reefs support 25% of marine life and play a crucial role in coastal protection and food security. Paul Gamblin warns that ignoring their decline is a dangerous oversight. As fossil fuel use continues, these ecosystems—along with the human lives they support—are increasingly at risk. The underwater bushfire may not burn homes, but it threatens something equally vital: our planet’s future.
