Five best Great Barrier Reef tours for your next Queensland holiday
Every Australian should experience the majesty of the Great Barrier Reef. And with these diverse tours, all you have to do is show up and you’re on your way.
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The Great Barrier Reef is one of Australia’s greatest claims to worldwide fame, and something everyone should experience at least once.
From its kaleidoscopic coral gardens and fascinating marine creatures to that stunning wash of bright blue water, this iconic spot is truly something to behold.
The only way you can really take in everything the vast reef has to offer is with a tour that takes you to all the right places, offers all the right experiences, and gets you back to dry land in the most enjoyable possible way.
And whether they’ll take you underwater, overhead or hopping from island to island, these are the best tours to enjoy in this unique paradise that’s made Australia the envy of the world.
DISCOVER THE BEST THINGS TO DO AT THE GREAT BARRIER REEF
But here’s some of our best picks - just make sure to pack a hat and your swimmers!
ENJOY THE REEF FROM ABOVE AND BELOW
Dive & Snorkel Full Day Tour with Helicopter Ride, Travello, from $319
The Great Barrier Reef looks gorgeous from above and spectacular from below. So why not enjoy both perspectives?
This full-day tour begins in Cairns, where the 35m superyacht called Evolution will take you to two locations on the reef where you can snorkel, scuba dive, sunbathe and relax – whatever takes your fancy. After an introductory scuba diving lesson you’ll be ready to go beneath the surface to really explore this underwater wonderland.
After a delicious lunch of fresh fish, steak, prawns and vegie options, you’ll be taken to Hastings Reef where you’ll board a helicopter for an unforgettable 10-minute flight around the reef. There’s plenty to see up there, including turtles, sharks and whales.
The afternoon is capped off with some more fun in the water or on the sundeck before returning to Cairns.
SPEND A NIGHT UNDERWATER IN THE REEF
One Night Great Barrier Reef Underwater Stay with Meals – For Two, Red Balloon, $1,598
A really special way to experience the majesty of the reef is to literally spent a night in it.
Luxury overnight stays at Australia’s first underwater accommodation lets you experience the reef like nothing else can.
The overnight stay is part of two-day scenic cruise through the Whitsundays that departs from Airlie Beach. With meals and drinks included, the cruise takes you to the pontoon at Hardy Reef, where you can spend the day swimming and snorkelling, or simply sitting back and taking in the views.
At night, after a starlit dinner on the upper deck of the pontoon, you can retreat to your plush private underwater suite.
The suite has floor-to-ceiling windows from which you can be mesmerised by the fascinating marine life and colourful coral gardens around the clock, from the comfort of your king bed.
ENJOY A FULL DAY OUT ON THE REEF
Great Barrier Reef Cruises from Airlie Beach or Hamilton Island, Klook Travel, from $265 (RRP$279)
There are so many pockets of the Great Barrier Reef to explore and one of the most spectacular is Hardy Reef near the Whitsundays, which is home to thousands of reef fish including coral trout, trevally, snapper, the two metre-long Giant Queensland Groper, and lots of smaller tropical species.
It’s here you’ll find the Hardy Reef Pontoon, a permanent structure used as a base from which to explore the reef.
A full day tour will take you to the pontoon from Airlie Beach or Hamilton Island on a high-speed catamaran, passing stunning islands along the way.
At the pontoon, depending on the package you choose, you can take an introductory dive class, go snorkelling, take a guided snorkelling tour, or dive on your own if you’re licenced.
There’s a delicious on-board buffet lunch, morning and afternoon tea and a semi-submersible, and underwater viewing chamber for you to get up close and personal with the creatures of the reef.
CHECK OUT THE REEF FROM ABOVE
Great Barrier Reef and Whitsunday Scenic Flight – 60 Minutes, Red Balloon, $259
While underwater is where you’ll see most of the action of the reef, the views from the sky are just as exhilarating.
And there’s no better way to take in the vastness of this natural wonder than with a scenic flight.
Over one hour, you’ll get a bird’s eye view of the spectacular tropical landscape from a guaranteed window seat.
This tour takes in the reef itself, the Instagram-famous Heart Reef, the pristine white sands of Whitehaven Beach, as well as Hayman Island, Daydream Island, Hardy Reef and more.
In-flight commentary will provide all the information you need, and don’t worry about getting yourself there – there are bus transfers to and from Proserpine Airport, where the flight departs.
SPEND SIX DAYS SAILING AND ISLAND HOPPING
Great Barrier Reef Highlights with Sailing, Contiki, from $1,368 (RRP$1,520)
Is one day not enough time to spend at this world wonder? Under 35s can enjoy six days exploring the reef and island hopping in tropical paradise with Contiki’s Great Barrier Reef Highlights tour.
You’ll travel around and spend a couple of nights on a converted racing yacht, which will take you to some of the most iconic spots in the region.
The journey begins at picture-perfect Airlie Beach, where you’ll get to know your travel companions over a spectacular dinner. That’s followed by days of swimming, snorkelling and lounging in the sun in the Whitsundays – including a visit to world-famous Whitehaven Beach.
There’s also a two-day stop at Magnetic Island to enjoy its turquoise waters, walking tracks and famous koala residents, before the sun-soaked adventure wraps up in the tropical cities of Townsville or Cairns.
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Now with the waterscape tour of your dreams booked, here’s a few things worth a spot in your carry-on.
Bond-Eye Swimwear The Mara One-Piece, The Iconic, $176 (RRP$220)
Handmade in Sydney, Bond-Eye Swimwear’s signature ribbed seersucker one-piece has had a playful makeover. Reminiscent of sunsets and piña coladas – okay, I really want a holiday now – it’s finished with a universally flattering scoop neckline, cheeky bum coverage and plunging backline. Love the silhouette but not the colour? Have a peek of this poolside-inspired option.
Bondi Born Turkish & Terry Beach Towel, The Iconic, $80
Another homegrown brand, Bondi Born, has created an essential for ocean and pool alike. Constructed from hand-loomed, organic cotton and terry towelling, this Turkish beach towel feels like luxury to wear and dry with. Finished with quintessential tassel fringing and tonal stripes to both ends, it’s also available in perennially chic black and the contemporary neutral, khaki.
HOW BIG IS THE GREAT BARRIER REEF?
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park covers 344,400 sqkm in the Coral Sea and contains some 3000 coral reefs, 600 continental islands, 300 coral cays and about 150 inshore mangrove islands. It stretches from the tip of Queensland down to Bundaberg in the south. Its depth ranges from 35m in inshore waters, through to plunging depths of more than 2000m.
It includes the world’s largest coral reef ecosystem, and is home to around 600 types of soft and hard corals, more than 100 species of jellyfish, 3000 varieties of molluscs, 1625 types of fish, 133 varieties of sharks and rays, and more than 30 species of whales and dolphins.
HOW DO I GET TO THE GREAT BARRIER REEF?
There are plenty of places to stay around the reef, from tropical islands like Hamilton Island and Fitzroy Island, to mainland cities like Port Douglas, Townsville and Cairns. Many tours to the reef depart from port cities.
The closest international airport is Cairns, and other airport options are Proserpine in the Whitsunday region and Hamilton Island.
WHAT’S THE BEST TIME TO VISIT THE REEF?
Reef tours operate all year round but there are two distinct seasons in Far North Queensland that may influence when you choose to visit.
Dry season between April to November is a good time to visit the region, as temperatures are still warm but humidity and rainfall is lower. Daily temperatures during this time rage from 18 to 29C and the ocean temperature is still warm, about 24C. This is also considered an off-peak time, so it’s when you’ll typically find flights and accommodation prices and their lowest, and crowds smaller on the islands and reefs.
The peak summer season is November to March and it’s deliciously hot and humid. But as it is the wet season, which means rain (the region cops an average of 2000mm of rain each year) and the threat of cyclones. Cyclones can arrive with only a few days notice and tour operations will be suspended if a cyclone strikes. But the wet weather has the benefit of creating lush rainforests and spectacular waterfalls throughout the region.
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