"The Great Barrier Reef is one of the world's most treasured natural wonders, and the Australian government has shown it is truly a world leader in marine conservation by implementing the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park zoning plan," said WWF official James Leape.
The award was announced at the start of the inaugural meeting of the International Marine Protected Areas Congress in the Australian city of Geelong.
The congress brought together several hundred experts in marine conservation from more than 60 countries.
WWF said they hoped the Gift to the Earth award would inspire other countries to follow Australia's lead and establish similar marine protection areas.
The Great Barrier Reef stretches over more than 345,000 square kilometers (133,000 square miles) off Australia's northeast coast and is home to 1,500 fish species.
Considered the world's largest living organism, the network of coral reefs is the centerpiece of a multibillion-dollar annual tourism industry, attracting divers from around the world.
The Australian plan, implemented in July 2004, increased the area of the park covered by a ban on all fishing and tight restrictions on other activities from 4.6 to 33 percent.
