Great Barrier Reef - tours - holiday accommodation - travel

Barrier Reef  Holidays

A Barrier Reef vacation is a once in a lifetime event for the majority of people, therefore it is important to make sure that the trip is correctly planned.

A "holiday of a lifetime" for experienced divers will almost certainly involve the outer reef. For others, the island resorts and fringing reefs may provide exactly the holiday they want.

If "Barrier Reef" accommodation is booked at a mainland address, there may be reef transfer costs. However a mainland address may be perfect for the visitor who wants to combine the reef with mainland activities and attractions.

These simple examples illustrate different factors that need to be taken into account when planning the trip and any associated barrier Reef tours. If in doubt, ask whatever questions are necessary of your booking agent to ensure that your expectations are going to be met.

Many people have a perception that the reef is the same all over. It is not, and "inner reef" and "outer reef" are just two of the many terms used to describe different types of reef conditions.

The inner reef is closest to the mainland and contains many of the islands on which the Great Barrier Reef holiday resorts are located. These islands often have a nearby or surrounding fringe reef and their own particular marine environment. This differs from the environment of the outer reef with its appeal to divers.

Each environment has its own attractions and any visit to the Barrier Reef will be a memorable experience, made all the more so when you focus your holiday and tours on that part of the reef that will match your expectations. 

Great Barrier Reef Facts The Great Barrier Reef is a marine park extending from the mainland coast to the continental shelf, an area so large as to be visible from the moon. It extends over 2000 km along the Queensland coast from Gladstone in the south to Cape York in the north. There are more than 2900 individual reefs and 71 coral islands. The Barrier Reef is home to spectacular marine life and bird populations. National parks are common on the islands and park rules apply. Islands and reefs are typically in remote locations. Access is via resort stays, day trips with tour operators or self-sail rentals. Currently 23 resorts. Several are built on coral islands and many have their own fringing reef.

Go direct to: Tropcal North | Whitsundays | Southern Reef

Resort accommodation ranges from backpacker budget through to exclusive luxury. All resorts offer a year round season. Jumping off points for the islands are all serviced by road, rail and air.

Most resorts offer shuttle services between the resort and the nearest mainland town. Resort activities vary according to the locale and style of each resort. Typical activities are swimming, snorkelling, scuba diving, coral viewing, reef walking, sailing, yacht charter, jet skiing, parasailing, sailboarding, kayaking, catamarans, canoes, big game fishing and whale watching.

Learn to dive classes are available in most major centres and resorts.

Tropical North Resorts - Great Barrier Reef

Lizard Island - 270 km north of Cairns. Exclusive resort noted for big game fishing. No children under 6. Offers 30 units and 2 suites. Transfers by air ex Cairns. 

Double Island Retreat - via Cairns. Exclusive resort limited to only 8-12 guests. No children under 12. Transfers by limo ex Cairns plus water tax.

Fitzroy Island - via Cairns. Family style resort in rainforest setting. Children of all ages welcome. Transfers by catamaran service ex Cairns. 

Green Island - via Cairns. Exclusive resort on a coral cay. Also caters for daytrippers. Children of all ages welcome. Transfers by catamaran service ex Cairns.

Dunk Island - via Cairns or Townsville. Dunk Island is a family style resort with child minding centre. Children of all ages welcome. Transfers by air ex Cairns and Townsville. 

Bedarra Island - via Cairns or Townsville. Exclusive luxury resort with the emphasis on seclusion. No children under 15. Offers 16 villas. Transfers by launch via Dunk Island.

Orpheus Island - via Townsville. Select resort limited to 74 guests. No children under 15. Transfers by air ex Townsville. 

Hinchinbrook Island - via Cairns or Townsville. Family style resort set amongst rainforest. Children of all ages welcome. Transfers by car/launch ex Cairns and Townsville. 

Magnetic Island - via Townsville. Several motels and self-contained units. All with access to beaches. Transfer by daily launch ex Townsville.

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Whitsunday Passage Resorts - Great Barrier Reef

[See Whitsunday Islands area map]

South Long Island Nature Lodge - via Hamilton Island. Exclusive lodge, private waterfront cabins, maximum of 16 guests,  no children. Transfers by helicopter ex Hamilton Island.

Palm Bay Hideaway - via Proserpine. Budget resort offering seclusion and informality. Children of all ages welcome. Transfer by launch ex Shute Harbour and Hamilton Island. 

Club Crocodile - via Proserpine. Family style resort with full activities. Children of all ages welcome. Transfer by launch ex Hamilton Island or air ex Proserpine.

Daydream Island - via Proserpine. Family style resort with daily child care and Kids Only clubs. Transfer by water taxi ex Hamilton Island or launch ex Shute Harbour.

Hayman Island - via Proserpine. Exclusive resort featuring hotel style amenities. Children of all ages welcome. Hayman Island has transfers ex Hamilton Island or Shute Harbour.

Hamilton Island - via Proserpine. Large family style resort with all facilities. Children of all ages welcome. Hamilton Island has direct flights or launch transfer ex Shute Harbour.

South Molle Island - via Proserpine. Family style resort with Kids clubs and all facilities. Children of all ages welcome. Transfers ex Hamilton Island or Shute Harbour.

Brampton Island - 32km from Mackay. Family style resort in a national park. Children of all ages welcome. Offers 108 units. Transfer by direct flights ex Mackay or launch transfer ex Mackay.

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Southern Reef Resorts - Great Barrier Reef

Great Keppel - 55km from Rockhampton. Family style resort with organised sports and entertainment. 30km of beaches. Children of all ages welcome. Offers 192 rooms. Transfers ex Rockhampton by air or coach/launch.

Keppel Haven - via Rockhampton. Economy resort with cabins and shared facilities. Children of all ages welcome. Transfers ex Rockhampton by coach and launch. 

Heron Island - via Gladstone. Family style resort situated on a coral cay. Children of all ages welcome. Transfers ex Gladstone by launch or helicopter. 

Lady Elliot Island - via Bundaberg. Family style resort situated on the barrier reef. Children of all ages welcome. Transfers ex Hervey Bay or Bundaberg by air. 

Queensland Holidays
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
Rental Cars In Cairns
Great Barrier Reef Visitors Guide

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