Public perceptions of climate change risks are critical to public support for climate change policy, and an individual’s trust in science plays a key role in shaping their climate change beliefs. Over the last decade, Australia’s Great Barrier Reef (GBR) has become recognised as a ‘climate icon’, threatened by rapid ocean warming. However, among residents in the GBR catchment region, perceptions of the risk posed by climate change to the GBR have fluctuated. Our study examines climate change risk perceptions among residents of the GBR region using repeated survey data conducted between 2013 and 2023 (n=9,920) and introduces new follow-up data from 2025 to assess recent trends. Earlier survey waves showed significant fluctuations in public risk perceptions over time, with shifts towards and then away from the recognition of climate change risks to the GBR. Trust in scientists also varied and became increasingly associated with risk perceptions over time. Preliminary 2025 results indicate a stabilisation of risk perceptions commensurate with 2023 levels, alongside an increase in trust in scientists, suggesting a possible easing of earlier declines. The findings underscore the central role of trust in shaping climate change risk perceptions, and its importance for effective climate action and GBR conservation.