Public Domain Illustrations of the Great Barrier Reef

Vintage public domain illustrations of great barrier reef echinoderms
Vintage public domain illustrations of great barrier reef corals

The illustrations above capture such marine life as starfish, urchins, corals, and sea lilies. Discover even more public domain illustrations below!

Published in 1893 by William Saville-Kent, “The Great Barrier Reef of Australia: Its Products and Potentialities” may seem like a vintage science book at first glance, but it was more of a resource for the fishing industry.

I spent my morning coffee time treasure hunting at archive.org, one of my favorite public domain libraries. That’s where I found these vintage illustrations of the Great Barrier Reef from the 19th-century.

19th-Century Corals

Vintage public domain illustrations of great barrier reef corals
Vintage public domain illustrations of great barrier reef corals

The Great Barrier Reef is the largest reef system in the world.

GreatBarrierReef.org

Anemones & Sea Cucumbers

Vintage public domain illustration of great barrier reef anemones
Vintage public domain illustrations of great barrier reef sea cucumber

The Great Barrier Reef is so large it can be seen from outer space!

GreatBarrierReef.org

Molluscs & Planaria

Vintage public domain illustrations of great barrier reef marine life

Discover More

Need more marine life, animals, and plant illustrations for your projects? Discover hundreds more full-color illustrations in the public domain below:

Free Animal Illustrations

Free Wildlife and Marine Life Illustrations

Free Illustrations of British Mammals

Free Vintage Aquarium Illustrations

Free Ernst Haeckel Illustrations

Free Scientific Illustrations

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