Snorkelling, Great Barrier Reef, Wilson Island, Queensland © Tourism and Events Queensland
The best places to visit on the Great Barrier Reef
The 2,300-kilometre (1,430-mile) Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef system in the world. You can swim, snorkel, dive and sail this living masterpiece.
By Jessica Wilkinson
The Great Barrier Reef is big. So big, in fact, you can see it from space! Stretching 2,300 kilometres (1,430 miles) down the east coast of Australia, it's the largest coral reef system in the world. It’s home to an incredible array of marine life (think over 1,600 species of fish, and six of the world’s seven species of marine turtles) and exquisite coral formations.
There are four major access points to the Great Barrier Reef, and each of them has a range of experiences that will have you enjoying the best of this natural marvel. Whether it’s visiting idyllic islands, saying hello to local sea life with a wide range of underwater activities, traversing lush rainforests, or putting your feet up in luxury accommodation, you will leave your reef adventure with a new definition of paradise. Take a look at some of the most popular points from which to visit the reef and plan your next trip.
Cairns and Tropical North Queensland
Clifton Beach, Cairns, Queensland © Tourism and Events Queensland
Dreamtime Dive and Snorkel, Cairns, Queensland © Tourism and Events Queensland
Rainforestation Nature Park, Kuranda, Queensland © Tourism and Events Queensland
Mossman Gorge Centre, Daintree, Queensland © Tourism and Events Queensland
Bedarra Island, Queensland © James Vodicka
Vlasoff Cay, Cairns, Queensland © Tourism and Events Queensland
Daintree Tours, Mossman Gorge, Queensland © Daintree Tours
Cairns Esplanade Lagoon, Cairns, Queensland © Tourism and Events Queensland
Southern Cassowary, FNQ Nature Tours, Daintree National Park, Queensland © FNQ Nature Tours
Tropical North Queensland is perfect for travellers seeking outdoor adventure, a romantic getaway, or a family-friendly vacation.
In Tropical North Queensland you’ll enjoy warm days all year. Visit during June and July (winter) to spot migrating whales and the world's only known aggregation of dwarf minke whales on the Ribbon Reef, north of Port Douglas.
Visit Reef Teach, the reef education centre in Cairns to learn about conserving the reef, take a voyage on a carbon-neutral sailing vessel, visit nurseries growing corals to rehabilitate the reef and stay at an eco‑lodge.
Fourteen domestic and international airlines service Cairns Airport. Direct domestic flights arrive from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Darwin, and most domestic flights are only three to four hours.
Fringed by reef and enveloped by rainforest, Cairns is the meeting point of two of Australia’s most famous World Heritage sites; the Great Barrier Reef and The Daintree Rainforest. Not only is the buzzing tropical hub of Cairns a great spot to enjoy a reef adventure, but it is also the gateway to Queensland's tropical north. The laidback town of Port Douglas, around an hour’s drive north of Cairns, is an ideal base for venturing into the rainforest and exploring the reef, and if you take a trip off the coast of the North Queensland region, you’ll find a collection of idyllic islands (Green, Fitzroy, Bedarra, and Lizard islands). So whether it’s snorkelling through coral gardens, flying over the reef, sailing to tropical islands, or exploring a 100 million-year-old rainforest, the Cairns region provides the perfect place to recharge, relax and soak up the magic that is the Great Barrier Reef.
Sound perfect? See what's on offer in Cairns
Townsville and Magnetic Island
Forts Walk, Magnetic Island, Queensland © Tourism and Events Queensland
Master Reef Guide, Florence Bay, Magnetic Island, Queensland © Tourism and Events Queensland
Townsville City, Townsville, Queensland © Townsville Enterprise Ltd
Museum of Underwater Art, Townsville, Queensland © Gemma Molinaro Photographer
Ethel Creek Falls, Paluma Range National Park, Townsville, Queensland © Tourism and Events Queensland
Koala, Magnetic Island, near Townsville, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland © Tourism and Events Queensland
Orpheus Island Resort, Orpheus Island, Queensland © Tourism Australia
Arthur Bay Lookout, Magnetic Island, Queensland © Townsville Enterprise
Orpheus Island - Fringing Reef Snorkel, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland © Orpheus Island Resort
Adventure lovers who want to explore the rainforest, hop on a jet-ski or head underwater to dive the reef.
You’ll get sunny days year-round here but for wildlife lovers, Humpback whales can be spotted from August to October, while turtles can be seen between November and January.
Join an eco-certified tour with Adrenalin Snorkel and Dive, Magnetic Island Sea Kayaks, Aquascene Charters, or Big Mama Sailing. Visit Reef HQ Great Barrier Reef Aquarium to learn about reef conservation.
You can fly directly into Townsville airport from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Cairns, Adelaide, and Darwin, and all domestic flights are under three hours.
Did you know?
A visit to the reef is one of the best ways you can aid in its conservation! Every visitor pays an Environmental Management Charge which contributes to management costs and research funding.
The official ‘headquarters’ of the Great Barrier Reef, Townsville is the gateway to the central section of the reef which is home to spectacular coral and an abundance of marine life. Whether you're wanting adventure or just a relaxing beachside holiday, this part of north Queensland has a myriad of experiences, from exploring the Great Barrier Reef to traversing the lush rainforests and World Heritage-listed national parks. Explore the vibrant city of Townsville before embarking on a Great Barrier Reef tour, donning a diving suit to explore the Museum of Underwater Art’s Coral Greenhouse, or taking the 25-minute ferry ride to the nature lovers paradise of Magnetic Island. ‘Maggie’ as it’s known to the locals, is where you’ll find 23 golden beaches, fringing coral reefs, eucalypt forests, hidden waterfalls, an extensive array of hiking trails, and the largest colony of koalas in north Queensland. With easy access to the reef, Magnetic Island is poised for an adventure with anything from jet-skiing and wakeboarding to sunset sailing.
Love adventure? Find out more about Townsville
The Whitsundays
Cruise Whitsundays Reefsleep Experience, The Whitsundays, Queensland © Owen Wilson Photography
Hill Inlet, Whitsunday Islands, Queensland © Tourism Australia
Catseye Beach, Hamilton Island, Queensland © Jason Hill and Tourism & Events Queensland
Daydream Island, Whitsundays, Queensland © Tourism and Events Queensland
Heart Reef, Whitsundays, Queensland © Tourism and Events Queensland
Airlie Beach Lagoon, Airlie Beach, Queensland © Tourism and Events Queensland
Whitsunday Jetski Tours, Airlie Beach, Queensland © Whitsunday Jetski Tours
Hayman Island, Whitsundays, Queensland © Tourism and Events Queensland
Daydream Island Resort, Whitsundays, Queensland © Daydream Island Resort
Airlie Beach is a backpacker mecca, great for travellers who love a vibrant nightlife scene. Daydream Island is the perfect escape for families while luxury-lovers and those wanting a peaceful island escape should head to Hayman and Hamilton Islands.
September and October is peak season in the Whitsundays, and for sailing fans, Hamilton Island Race Week is usually in August.
Join a Master Reef Guide on an eco-tour like Red Cat Adventures, Kiana Sail and Dive Whitsundays, and Ocean Rafting Whitsundays. Head to the Ngaro Cultural Site on Hook Island to learn from the history and practices of the Ngaro, Gia and Giru peoples.
Fly into either Proserpine Airport near Airlie Beach, or the Great Barrier Reef Airport on Hamilton Island, which has direct flights from Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Cairns. All domestic flights are under three hours.
Read next
How to choose the right Great Barrier Reef tour to suit you
The Whitsundays is home to a group of 74 idyllic tropical islands that sit just 55 kilometres (34 miles) off the Queensland coast, next to the Great Barrier Reef, some of the most famous of which are Hayman and Hamilton islands. The clear, protected waters around the islands' secluded beaches and hidden bays are ideal for sailing, snorkelling, diving and swimming, and that’s just the beginning. There are so many ways to spend your days while on one of these idyllic tropical islands. Relax on the white sands of the famous Whitehaven Beach, fly over Heart Reef in a seaplane, visit the coastal enclave of Airlie Beach with its lively nightlife and youthful appeal, sail around the turquoise waters of the Great Barrier Reef, swim with turtles, spot whales, or stay in world-class accommodation on one of the luxury islands. Whether you’re looking for water-based adventure or wanting to bliss out at a luxury resort, the Whitsundays are calling.
Ready to island hop? Discover the Whitsundays
The Southern Great Barrier Reef
Bundaberg Rum Experience, Bundaberg, Queensland © Tourism and Events Queensland
Lady Elliot Island, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland © Tourism and Events Queensland
Snorkeller with turtle, Lady Musgrave Island, Queensland © James Vodicka
Great Keppel Island Hideaway, Great Keppel Island, Queensland © Rebecca O'Grady Photographics
Heron Island, Queensland © Tourism and Events Queensland
Mon Repos, Bundaberg, Queensland © Tourism and Events Queensland and Rowan Bestmann
Coral Archways, Lady Elliot Island, Queensland © James Vodicka
Green Turtles, Heron Island, Queensland © Tourism and Events Queensland
Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort, Lady Elliot Island, Queensland © Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort
Aquatic lovers who want to explore the underwater haven and meet the resident marine life at the start of the world’s largest coral reef system.
Visit in January to see baby turtles make their voyage to the ocean or May and September for when the manta rays are out in full force.
Stay at Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort, visit the Heron Island Research Station, and join the Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef by making an online pledge to take simple actions to save the reef.
Fly direct from Brisbane to Bundaberg airport on an easy one hour flight.
It’s at the southern township of Bundaberg where the Great Barrier Reef officially begins. The Southern Great Barrier Reef region with its flagship cities of Gladstone and Bundaberg, and its idyllic islands like Great Keppel, Lady Musgrave, Lady Elliot and Heron Island, offers up a mecca for mesmerising marine life, aquatic activities and coastal relaxation. Meet chilled-out turtles, swim with majestic manta rays, spot a whale along the legendary Humpback Highway, kick back on one of the nearby islands, or enjoy what the townships have to offer (Bundaberg distillery, we’re looking at you).
Say g'day to the marine life of the Southern Great Barrier Reef
