Uluru and The Great Barrier Reef Nominated

Uluru and the Great Barrier Reef have been shortlisted for inclusion in the new seven natural wonders.

Uluru and the Great Barrier Reef are two of the 28 finalists shortlisted for consideration to become one of the new seven natural wonders of the world, in a new global vote. A selection process organised by the New7Wonders committee, in partnership with the United Nations, has narrowed down the top 28 finalists from 441 nominations to make up a new seven natural wonders list.

Uluru in the Northern Territory and the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, have been shortlisted amongst other natural wonders including Milford Sound in New Zealand, the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland, Galapagos Islands in Ecuador, the Grand Canyon in the United States, and Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. “A place among the ultimate New7Wonders of Nature would be a stunning achievement for our nation’s iconic natural wonders,” said Rick Allert, Tourism Australia’s Executive Chairman. “We thank everyone who has played a part in ensuring Uluru and the Great Barrier Reef have made it through to this third and final stage… in the running for the ultimate accolade.”

The selection process had previously cut the list from the initial submission of 441 sites in 222 countries to 77, which has now been reduced to just the shortlist of 28. Now that a shortlist has been revealed, the organisers are calling for individuals to vote online for their list of seven through webportal new7wonders.com. Voting is expected to continue throughout 2010 and into 2011. “It’s been a stunning process to watch so many of the world’s iconic natural wonders in the public spotlight and we are delighted to see both Uluru and the Great Barrier Reef are through to the third and final stage,” Tia Viering, New7Wonders Foundation Spokesperson. “They’re up against the world’s best – it’s certainly going to be an exciting two years as we see which sites the public choose as the official New7Wonders of Nature.”

All votes are monitored and each individual is allotted one vote.