When traveling to Australia, you have to visit the Great Barrier Reef! Without question, it is worth visiting and one of the most unique experiences you can have. There are so many different places to stay and options for visiting the Great Barrier Reef (the largest reef in the world, after all); where should you stay for the Great Barrier Reef?
Throughout this post, I’ll go into detail about different areas you can stay in and why they might be a good option for you. There’s no shortage of options, really, and you will love them all, trust me! It’s all about choosing the best choice for you.
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Things to Know Before You Decide Where to Stay for the Great Barrier Reef
Before we get started with the options for where to call your home base, let’s discuss a few things that are important to know as you are planning! These will likely determine where you choose to stay and what you do during your trip.
Where is the Great Barrier Reef?
The Great Barrier Reef is located in the Coral Sea in North Queensland, Australia. It stretches over 1,400 miles along the coast, from the northern tip of the state near Cape York to just north of Bundaberg. It is the world’s largest coral reef system and is visible from space!
How do you get to the Great Barrier Reef?
Most people flying internationally will fly first into Brisbane (if you’re not stopping somewhere else first) and take a smaller flight to their ultimate destination.
If you are already in Australia and heading to the Reef, you’ll likely be able to find a direct flight from major cities like Sydney or Melbourne (these will be detailed in the options with more information on the closest airport, etc.).
Some trains and ferries go up and down the coast from Brisbane to Cairns, but be warned, the train would take you 25 hours from Brisbane to Cairns and would not be cheaper than a flight most likely. These areas are very spread apart, so it’s best for both your pocket and time to fly.
Once in a gateway city, you can visit the Reef via:
- Day trips – Boats take you to outer reef pontoons or diving/snorkeling sites.
- Liveaboard tours – Multi-day diving and snorkeling trips.
- Scenic flights – Helicopter or small plane tours for aerial views.
Best Way to See the Great Barrier Reef (No Matter Where You Stay)
No matter which destination you choose for your stay, the best way to see the Great Barrier Reef is to spend multiple days diving or snorkeling. This is because you will have more opportunities to see wildlife.
Just like with a safari, every time you go back into the water, you’re going to see something different! The more opportunities you have to spend time in the water, the more you will see!
I’d highly recommend a liveaboard for this. Here’s why it’s worth it to do a liveaboard on the Reef:
- You get to go places that day trips don’t. While day trips are still great, a liveaboard allows you to go more places!
2. More opportunities to see things. Day trips may have one or two spots, but our trip had four opportunities a day for diving and snorkeling – including a night dive! It’s pretty much impossible to see everything in a day, so it gives you chances to see more. One time, we saw a turtle; the next, we saw a shark; the next, a ray, etc.
3. Community and camaraderie. You’ll meet other travelers, get to know them, and get to know the crew—it’s a whole experience!
4. Great extras and options. You’ll have the chance to have a guide the entire time, dive for the first time, picture packages, you can skip a snorkel session without being worried you’ll miss out, etc.
Highly rated liveaboards:
What is the best time to visit the Great Barrier Reef?
There are two seasons in tropical Queensland – dry and rainy. With that said, the best time to visit the Great Barrier Reef is during the dry season from May to October.
Dry season is considered the best time to visit because it has the best visibility for snorkeling and diving, fewer dangerous jellyfish, and less rain.
Rainy season brings the chance of cyclones, the necessity for stinger suits, and frequent rain means it is more humid.
However, visiting during the rainy season (November – April) can be a good experience because prices are cheaper and there are fewer tourists. It all depends on what you are looking for! We visited during the rainy season, and it was a wonderful experience.
Option 1: Stay on an Island on the Great Barrier Reef
Now that we’ve covered some essential information, we can discuss the best options for where to stay on the Great Barrier Reef, starting with the many different islands along the coast.
Staying on the Great Barrier Reef means that you are literally right next to the reef (or in it)! These islands will make seeing the reef easy, with the opportunity to snorkel right from the beaches.
However, even when staying at one of these islands, you will likely still want to take a boat trip for an opportunity to see the most on your trip. We did this on Fitzroy Island. It was worth it!
Each of these islands is in a different region (we’ll discuss the Whitsundays in detail later). Below are some of the best options for your trip.
- Fitzroy Island: Located just a 45 minute ferry ride from Cairns, Fitzroy Island is a great place to stay on the Reef. You can stay at the resort or go camping here. There are opportunities to snorkel, hike, relax, kayak, and take boats out to different parts of the Reef from here.
- Lizard Island: Truly secluded from the rest of the world, Lizard Island Resort has 40 luxurious suites. It is the most northern resort in tropical North Queensland and is only accessible by private air charter from Cairns Airport.
- Hamilton Island: Hamilton Island is one of the most popular destinations in the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). It is part of the Whitsunday Islands and offers stunning beaches, luxury resorts, and access to some of the world’s most beautiful coral reefs. Hamilton Island has its own airport with direct flights from major Australian cities like Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne.
- ReefSuites: Spend a magical night in Australia’s first underwater accommodation within the Great Barrier Reef. You’ll take a boat from the Whitsundays to these underwater suites and enjoy watching the wildlife from your bed! All food, wine and beer, and some activities are included.
Option 2: Cairns Region
One of the easiest regions to visit the Great Barrier Reef is Cairns. There are many tour options and companies that offer trips to the Reef from Cairns, making it fairly affordable and easy to plan.
There are tons of great places to stay near Cairns, and the harbor will have multiple daily options for a day trip to the Great Barrier Reef or live aboard. The reef is a 30-45 minute boat ride away, depending on where your trip is taking you.
Cairns has a decent-sized airport that offers daily connections from many places across Australia, but it is also an international airport. Travelers can fly direct internationally from Port Moresby, Bali, Tokyo, Osaka, Singapore, Shenzhen, and Auckland.
Below are a few of the best areas in the Cairns region to stay. For all of these options, you’d fly in to Cairns and Uber or rent a car before taking a boat trip to the Great Barrier Reef.
- Central Cairns: Staying in the heart of Cairns is convenient and makes getting to the Great Barrier Reef easy. Just a 10 minute drive from the airport, you will be able to walk to the Carins Harbor to take your Great Barrier Reef trip.
- Palm Cove: If you’re looking for a beach getaway in addition to visiting the reef, Palm Cove is an excellent option. 30 minutes from Cairns, this beach community is great for all types of activities, from swimming and water sports to shopping and spas.
- Port Douglas: Known for beach resorts and as a chic, relaxed village ideal for a relaxing trip. It has fantastic restaurants and bars and boutique shopping. It’s also closer to Daintree, which is a must visit when in the Cairns region!
Note: Port Douglas does have its own airport, but since it is just an hour from Cairns, I’ve included it here. You can research flights directly into Port Douglas if your budget allows!
Option 3: Whitsundays
The Whitsundays are a collection of 74 islands known for pristine white-sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, vibrant marine life, and luxurious resorts. The region is home to diverse wildlife, including sea turtles, manta rays, dolphins, and even migrating humpback whales (July–September).
This area is home to many luxury resorts, but if you choose the right island, you can find some more affordable options. The Whitsundays has two different airports located in Arlie and Hamilton Island. These two airports offer flights from various cities across Australia.
From there, some resorts offer flights, helicopter rides, or boats if you want something more luxurious and remote, or you can choose a home base that is more centrally located and take day trips.
Here are some options for where to stay around the Whitsundays:
- Airlie Beach: The mainland gateway to the Whitsundays, Airlie Beach is a vibrant coastal town with a great nightlife scene, lagoon-style swimming pools, and access to island-hopping tours.
- Hamilton Island: The largest inhabited island in the Whitsundays, Hamilton Island has luxury resorts, restaurants, and activities like golf, sailing, and hiking.
- Daydream Island: One of the best islands in the Whitsundays for families, Daydream Island is also one of the tiniest island destinations. It measures 1 km in length and 400 m at its widest point.
Photo by Samantha Gilmore on Unsplash
Option 4: Townsville
Last but not least is Townsville. This vibrant coastal town is a great launching point for the Great Barrier Reef. It’s known for its tropical climate, stunning beaches, and outdoor adventures.
Townsville has an airport that offers flights from Brisbane, Sydney, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, and Melbourne airports. Once you land, you’ll be within 3 miles of town.
As one of the largest regional cities in Queensland, Townsville has a mix of urban attractions, outdoor adventure, and historical sites. The city is also known for hiking and great views.
One of the most incredible things about Townsville, though, is its proximity to many amazing islands perfect for fishing, snorkeling, and diving.
Islands to consider visiting include Hinchinbrook Island, Orpheus Island, Palm Island, and Magnetic Island. The easiest one to visit is Magnetic Island, a 20 minute ferry from Townsville.
Search hotels and homes in Townsville.
As you can tell, there are plenty of fantastic options for where to stay for your Great Barrier Reef trip! We enjoyed our trip so much, it really is a bucket list trip you’ll never forget.
Looks like the ultimate dream vacation. Didn’t even know there were islands near the reef!
I love visiting The Great Barrier Reef and have done so from a few places particularly Cairns out to Green Island. Snorkelling and scuba diving are the best ways to see the wildlife under the sea.
I think it’s so wise to stay at a remarkable destination like this for an extended period of time so you can really dive deeper (sorry, I couldn’t help the pun!).
Such a helpful breakdown of a large area. Thank you!
Great article on the Great Barrier Reef! Thanks for breaking down the stay options so clearly and giving such practical advice. I’ve got a quick question – do you think it’s worth booking a liveaboard if you’re a beginner at snorkeling or should you stick to day trips?
Also, I came across a site called https://world-prices.com/en/australia/prices for Australia prices, but it’s hard to know if it’s reliable or up-to-date. Hope to hear your thoughts!
Hi Nina! So glad this is helpful. I think it’s definitely still worth it as a beginner to book a liveaboard. Ours offered snorkel guides (included) and life jackets etc. so even beginners could enjoy getting out on the water! I’d even think it’d be better for this reason because fewer people, more customized experience!
As for the website, I’ve never heard of that one before. We used TripAdvisor and Reddit to research best options.