Islands of the Great Barrier Reef
australia
Split geographically into the Northern Great Barrier Reef, the central Whitsunday Islands and the Southern Great Barrier Reef, each offers a unique experience and can be visited for the day, or overnight. Day trips are convenient and plentiful with boats either visiting the shallower ‘inner fringing reefs’ which surround the islands close to the mainland, or the deeper open water of the ‘outer reef’. Overnight stays can be on a tropical island resort, a comfortable sailing boat or a unique floating pontoon.
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TF's Bulletin
OUR HOLIDAYS TO THE ISLANDS OF THE GREAT BARRIER REEF
Nobody offers more ways to explore the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef than Trailfinders.
Here's a snapshot of some of our most popular Great Barrier Reef holidays. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, click on the link below them to see our complete range of holidays and tours in the destination.
If you'd like to see how you could fit this state into a wider exploration of the country - take a look at our Australia Holidays page.
Here's a snapshot of some of our most popular Great Barrier Reef holidays. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, click on the link below them to see our complete range of holidays and tours in the destination.
If you'd like to see how you could fit this state into a wider exploration of the country - take a look at our Australia Holidays page.
City, Rock & Reef
Australia
Multi Centre Holiday
15 days / 14 nights
15 days / 14 nights
Perfect for first time visitors, this fantastic three stop holiday brings together Australia’s most iconic and unforgettable attractions.
Queensland Highlights
Queensland
Multi Centre Holiday
18 days / 17 nights
18 days / 17 nights
Want to see the best of Queensland in two weeks? This fantastic holiday brings together many of the highlights of this incredible state, from laidback and refined beach towns to the crystal-clear waters of the Great Barrier Reef and iconic Fraser Island.
Absolute Luxury Queensland
Queensland
Multi Centre Holiday
15 days / 14 nights
15 days / 14 nights
Stay in luxurious, unique hotels as you explore this diverse state. Enjoy cosmopolitan Brisbane, scenic valleys, inland tropical rainforest and the unforgettable Great Barrier Reef.
Queensland Coast & Hinterland
Queensland
Fly Drive Holiday
17 days / 16 nights
17 days / 16 nights
Discover the bountiful natural beauty of Queensland’s lush hinterland and scenic southern coastline on this bush to beach adventure. Explore scenic walking trails in the shadow of ancient rainforests, swim with turtles on a remote Barrier Reef coral cay and uncover the secrets of iconic K’gari (Fraser Island).
Queensland Thrills & Spills
Queensland
Family Holiday
21 days / 20 nights
21 days / 20 nights
Australia’s sunshine capital, Queensland boasts endless beaches, lush rainforests teeming with wildlife and several thrill-a-minute theme parks. Combined with Sydney you have the perfect ingredients for an action-packed holiday!
WHERE TO GO IN THE GREAT BARRIER REEF
Whichever region of the Great Barrier Reef you choose to visit, no two tropical islands are the same. Split geographically into the Northern Great Barrier Reef, the central Whitsunday Islands and the Southern Great Barrier Reef, each offers a unique experience and can be visited for the day, or overnight.
The tiles below the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef map give more details on each island destination. Alternatively, if you are looking for some inspiration, give us a call and speak to one of our expert travel consultants.
The tiles below the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef map give more details on each island destination. Alternatively, if you are looking for some inspiration, give us a call and speak to one of our expert travel consultants.
The Northern Great Barrier Reef
Easy access from Cairns and the beachside towns of Tropical North Queensland make the Northern isles a popular and convenient choice.
The Whitsunday Islands
74 idyllic emerald islands make up the famous Whitsundays, home to Heart Reef, Hamilton Island and one of the most spectacular stretches of sand in Australia: Whitehaven Beach.
The Southern Great Barrier Reef
For close up marine encounters and crystal clear waters, the Southern Barrier reef offers an unbeatable experience.
Northern Reef – Lizard Island
Remote and untouched, Lizard Island is home to a Luxury Lodge of Australia and exceptional snorkelling with easy ‘outer reef’ access – as well as the resident lizards!
Northern Reef – Fitzroy Island
With easy access from Cairns, family friendly Fitzroy is home to an affordable resort and boasts its own fringing reef and Turtle Rehabilitation Centre.
_960x960.jpg?width=600 "Northern Reef – Bedarra & Magnetic Island")
Northern Reef – Bedarra & Magnetic Island
With a thriving marina community and a huge population of Koalas, Magnetic Island is a popular choice, whilst lesser known Bedarra hosts an exclusive luxury hideaway.
The Whitsundays – Hayman Island & Daydream Island
Family friendly Daydream and exclusive Hayman are the only resorts on their islands, offering a distinctive appeal and a fantastic base for your Whitsundays holiday.
The Whitsundays – Hamilton Island
Bustling Hamilton Island is synonymous with the Whitsundays and offers an incredible range of activities, plus Luxury Lodge qualia and three excellent resorts to choose from.
Southern Reef - Heron & Lady Elliot Islands
Renowned marine sanctuaries and our top pick for eco lovers, Lady Elliot Island and Heron Island offer simple accommodation yet spectacular natural encounters.
OUR RECOMMENDED HOTELS IN THE GREAT BARRIER REEF
From eco sanctuary stays with a focus on sustainability and family friendly resorts with activities galore, to remote island hideaways and exclusive villas with not a soul in sight; we feature a great range of accommodation in the Great Barrier Reef, with something to suit all budgets.
What you won’t find here are thousands of Great Barrier Reef hotels to wade through. We have done the hard work for you and selected the best places to stay and our travel consultants are on hand to help, often with first-hand experience.
What you won’t find here are thousands of Great Barrier Reef hotels to wade through. We have done the hard work for you and selected the best places to stay and our travel consultants are on hand to help, often with first-hand experience.
Hamilton Island Resort
Islands Of The Great Barrier Reef
Nestled in the spectacular Whitsundays in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, Hamilton Island is a privately-owned island resort offering world-class experiences and a range of hotel options, an 18 hole championship golf course and numerous restaurant options from casual to fine dining.
InterContinental Hayman Island Resort
Islands Of The Great Barrier Reef
The stylish InterContinental Hayman Island Resort is an exclusive yet family-friendly retreat offering a slice of immersive luxury in the picturesque Whitsundays.
Lizard Island
Islands Of The Great Barrier Reef
The only resort located on the 2,503 acres Lizard Island National Park, set within one of the natural wonders of the world, the Great Barrier Reef, luxurious Lizard Island is fringed with 24 powdery white sand beaches and colourful coral reefs teeming with marine life.
Fitzroy Island Resort
Islands Of The Great Barrier Reef
This great value island resort is a convenient option for enjoying the Great Barrier Reef.
Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort
Islands Of The Great Barrier Reef
Renowned for its strong eco focus and incredible fringing reef, the laidback Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort prides itself on its natural setting and is the ideal choice for those wanting to experience the Great Barrier Reef at its unspoiled best.
Daydream Island Resort
Islands Of The Great Barrier Reef
Hugely popular with families and couples alike, Daydream will help you truly connect with the Whitsundays.
WHAT TO DO IN THE GREAT BARRIER REEF
A once in a lifetime for most, the Great Barrier Reef is home to unforgettable experiences. These provide a unique way to experience the reef’s natural splendour and an insight into the marine life that it sustains.
Cruise around the islands by catamaran, sleep overnight on a floating pontoon, heli over the Whitsundays or even learn to dive, there are lots of ways to explore and our knowledgeable travel consultants can help you pick the perfect experience for you.
Cruise around the islands by catamaran, sleep overnight on a floating pontoon, heli over the Whitsundays or even learn to dive, there are lots of ways to explore and our knowledgeable travel consultants can help you pick the perfect experience for you.
Wavedancer Island Sailing
7-10 hours
- Luxury sailing catamaran
- Visit the relaxing Low Isles
- Calm lagoon waters
Outer Barrier Reef Cruise
7-10 hours
- Beautiful Agincourt Reef
- Spacious activity platform
- Swimming & snorkelling
- Semi-submersible tour
Whitehaven Beach & Hill Inlet Lookout
9-11 hours
- Stunning Whitehaven Beach
- Panoramic views from Hill Inlet Lookout
- Guided walk
1 Night Reefsleep Experience
2 days / 1 night
- Scenic cruise through the Whitsundaysn
- See vibrant marine life via the underwater observatory
- Semi-submersible guided tour
Silversonic Snorkel Adventure
7-10 hours
- Great choice for snorkelling & diving
- 5 hours at 3 different reef sites
- Travel by high speed catamaran
Lady Elliot Island Reef Adventure with Scenic Flight
8-11 hours
- Scenic flight over the reef
- Spectacular snorkelling around the coral cay
- Glass bottom boat and guided reef walk
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