Temperate Australasia is abiogeographic region of the Earth's seas, comprising the temperate and subtropical waters ofAustralia andNew Zealand, including both theIndian Ocean andPacific coasts of the continent and adjacent islands. It is amarine realm, one of the great biogeographic divisions of the world's oceans.[1]
Temperate Australasia encompasses the western, southern, and southeastern coasts of Australia, and Tasmania. The tropical waters of northern Australia are part of theCentral Indo-Pacific marine realm. Temperate Australasia includes New Zealand'sNorth andSouth Islands, theKermadec Islands,Chatham Island, andSnares Island. The rest of New Zealand'ssubantarctic islands are part of theSouthern Ocean realm.[1]
In large parts of the realm along the southern coast of continental Australia, a network of rocky reefs and kelp forests has created a unique biodiversity hotspot known popularly as theGreat Southern Reef.
The Temperate Australasia realm is divided into five marine provinces. The provinces are divided into marine ecoregions.[1]