Scientists discover new Australian reef

Diving on Australia's spectacular Great Barrier Reef is always listed among the top things to do before you die.

Brightly coloured reef fish, exotic looking underwater plants and the chance to swim with giant turtles make it an unforgettable experience for all who undertake it.

But now scientists have uncovered a previously undiscovered 60-mile stretch of reef off Australia's north coast in the Gulf of Carpentaria.

It follows a three-week marine science survey funded by Geoscience Australia and the National Oceans Office.

"This discovery makes the Gulf of Carpentaria an important modern coral reef region of Australia, encompassing as many as 50 small coral patch reefs, one to ten km in diameter, plus an elongate platform coral reef that is around 100 km in length extending westwards from Mornington Island," said voyage leader Dr Peter Harris.

"The thickness and wide distribution of the reefs point to a long history of reef growth extending possibly over the past 100,000 years or more."

A survey carried out two years ago found small patches of reef, which hinted at the existence of a larger reef.

Australia's Great Barrier Reef is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It lies off the country's east coast, running for over 1,300 miles from the northern tip of Queensland to just north of Bundaberg.