What’s Happening?
The Great Barrier Reef Clean-up 2026 will launch with a community beach clean-up at Pallarenda Beach in Townsville on 1 October.
The launch forms part of Tangaroa Blue Foundation’s month-long campaign encouraging communities across the Great Barrier Reef region and connected catchments to tackle marine debris.
Why It Matters
The campaign aims to stop rubbish from reaching the Great Barrier Reef by tackling marine debris from inland catchments through to the coastline.
Rubbish can enter stormwater drains, creeks and rivers before travelling towards the Reef. Marine debris can then affect coral and wildlife.
The campaign also collects citizen science data to help understand the sources of marine debris and support efforts to prevent it.
Local Impact
Townsville residents can take part in the campaign through the Pallarenda community beach clean-up.
The launch event will run from 9am to 11am and will involve participants removing rubbish from the local coastline while contributing data to the broader ReefClean program.
By The Numbers
- Two hours have been set aside for the Pallarenda community beach clean-up, giving volunteers time to collect litter and debris along the coastline.
- 2019 marked the launch of ReefClean across the Great Barrier Reef region, bringing together communities to help reduce marine debris.
- Seven years of ReefClean activities have taken place by 2026, with clean-ups and monitoring continuing across coastal communities.
Zoom In
The Great Barrier Reef Clean-up is not limited to beaches. Communities can organise activities across parks, streets, creeks, rivers and other locations connected to the Reef catchment.
Participants also record information about the debris they collect. This citizen science data helps identify where rubbish comes from and supports work to reduce marine debris at its source.
Zoom Out
The Great Barrier Reef Clean-up is a flagship initiative of Tangaroa Blue Foundation’s ReefClean program.
Tangaroa Blue delivers the campaign with Clean Up Australia, with funding from the Australian Government’s Reef Trust. ReefClean combines community clean-ups with monitoring, education, source reduction and marine debris data collection.
What To Look For Next?
Following the Townsville launch, the Great Barrier Reef Clean-up will continue throughout October 2026 across the Reef region and its connected catchments. People can organise their own clean-up or find an existing event through the Great Barrier Reef Clean-up 2026 page.
