Google maps the Great Barrier Reef

Holidaymakers can embark on a virtual tour of the Great Barrier Reef before flying to Australia.

Anyone thinking of going on holiday to Australia to see the Great Barrier Reef this winter, will now be able to do their research like never before.

Google has launched its underwater Street View for its Maps infrastructure, so for the first time in history holidaymakers can check on the ecosystem before they check in for their flights.

The Underwater Earth project uses data and imagery from the ground-breaking Catlin Seaview Survey project and shows the coral and marine life in great clarity.

So as well as enabling holidaymakers to go for a virtual dive and prepare themselves for the marine environment, the system will also make a significant contribution to our knowledge of the world’s oceans.

From next year, even more underwater locations will become available to curious, would-be tourists.

The Great Barrier Reef is located just off the coast of Cairns and is often the reason many people venture to Queensland in the first place

Written by Anthony Nicholson

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