Great Barrier Reef

Travel Guide

Photo provided by Tourism and Events Queensland
Great Barrier Reef which includes colorful reefs and general coastal views
Great Barrier Reef showing coral and general coastal views
Photo provided by Tourism and Events Queensland
Great Barrier Reef showing general coastal views and coral

The largest coral reef in the world lies just off the coast of Cairns and offers thousands of kilometers of coral, marine life and untouched white sand beaches.

Situated in Wangetti, this marine ecosystem is worth including in your schedule. But you'll find a great deal more to check out in the area. Hartley's Crocodile Adventures, Hartley's Crocodile Adventures, and Wangetti Beach are within easy reach of Great Barrier Reef.

Where to stay in Great Barrier Reef

Palm Cove showing a beach, a garden and tropical scenes

Palm Cove

Palm Cove is known for its stunning beaches, and you can see some sights in the area like Palm Cove Beach and Vie Spa Palm Cove.

Palm Cove
Cairns which includes a city

Cairns Central Business District

4.5/5(264 area reviews)

Cairns Central Business District is known for its popular shops, and with sights like Esplanade Lagoon and Cairns Marlin Marina, you won't get bored spending a day wandering around this part of Tropical North Waterfront.

Cairns Central Business District
Trinity Beach showing landscape views, tropical scenes and a beach

Trinity Beach

Travelers to Trinity Beach praise its stunning beaches. If you've got some more time to explore, be sure to make a stop by Trinity Beach and Kewarra Beach.

Trinity Beach
Cairns Esplanade which includes a luxury hotel or resort, swimming and a pool

Cairns North

Beaches and abundant dining options are well-reviewed features of Cairns North. Make a stop by top sights like Cairns Esplanade Charles Street Parkland while you're exploring the area.

Cairns North
Clifton Beach featuring mountains, a luxury hotel or resort and golf

Clifton Beach

Travelers come to Clifton Beach for its beaches, and you can see top attractions like Clifton Beach and Palm Cove Beach while you're in town.

Clifton Beach
This is the ship loading section at the Port

Burnett Heads

While there might not be top attractions in Burnett Heads, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Oaks Beach and Mon Repos Turtle Centre.

Burnett Heads
Cairns Colonial Club Resort

Cairns Colonial Club Resort

4 out of 5
18-26 Cannon Street Manunda QLD
$77 nightly
The price is $85 total per night from Dec 8 to Dec 9
$85 total
Dec 8 - Dec 9
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this family-friendly hotel in Cairns. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 3 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,035 reviews)
Rooms were amazing,clean,spacious and comfortable.Staff were friendly and extremely helpful.Highly recommend

Reviewed on Dec 1, 2025

Cairns Colonial Club Resort
Cairns Harbourside Hotel

Cairns Harbourside Hotel

4 out of 5
209-217 Esplanade Cairns North QLD
$92 nightly
The price is $101 total per night from Dec 19 to Dec 20
$101 total
Dec 19 - Dec 20
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Cairns. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,010 reviews)
Friendly staff on reception and in the bar. The room was spacious with a comfy bed and good air conditioning.

Reviewed on Nov 26, 2025

Cairns Harbourside Hotel
Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns

Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns

5 out of 5
Pierpoint Road Cairns QLD
$120 nightly
The price is $132 total per night from Dec 7 to Dec 8
$132 total
Dec 7 - Dec 8
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this family-friendly hotel in Cairns. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 bars/lounges, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,011 reviews)
Nice place to stay , good location if you need a boat out to the reef, easy walk to shops and places to eat.

Reviewed on Nov 25, 2025

Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Whitsunday Apartments

Whitsunday Apartments

4 out of 5
14 Resort Drive Whitsundays QLD
Book a stay at this beach aparthotel in Whitsundays. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,516 reviews)
Our room view was gorgeous, space was very clean and spacious, staff were friendly.

Reviewed on Nov 28, 2025

Whitsunday Apartments
Mirage Whitsundays

Mirage Whitsundays

4 out of 5
11 Altmann Avenue Cannonvale QLD
Book a stay at this beach aparthotel in Cannonvale. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (747 reviews)
Really enjoyed our stay, room was absolutely beautiful, spotlessly clean with ocean views - magical.. Only compliants - the very noisy shower screen on opening and closing, maybe the hinge needs replacing, lounge suite very uncomfortable and the whole complex had no water just as we all needed to ...

Reviewed on Nov 30, 2025

Mirage Whitsundays
Southern Cross Atrium Apartments

Southern Cross Atrium Apartments

4 out of 5
3-11 Water Street Cairns QLD
Stay at this aparthotel in Cairns. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 3 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,596 reviews)
Lovely clean unit, with amenities closa by

Reviewed on Dec 3, 2025

Southern Cross Atrium Apartments
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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