A Guide to the Great Barrier Reef & Tropical Far North Queensland

This guide concentrates on how to access the Great Barrier Reef from the Far North Queensland cities of Cairns, Port Douglas and Daintree Rainforest area.

Overview and getting there

The Great Barrier Reef, located off the northeastern coast of Australia, is a UNESCO World Heritage site stretching over 2,300 kilometers (1,430 miles) and includes over 2,900 reefs and 900 islands. The Reef is known for its breathtaking beauty and biological diversity, including over 1,500 species of fish and 3,000 individual reef systems.

The Great Barrier Reef is one of the world’s most sought-after tourist destinations offering a multitude of different activities including snorkeling, scuba diving, aircraft and helicopter tours, sailing, traditional cultural tours, whale watching and swimming with dolphins, just to name a few.

The best time to visit the Great Barrier Reef is during the Australian winter and spring, from June to October. During these months, the weather is mild and there is better visibility underwater to see coral and fish.

How to get there

The main gateway to the Great Barrier Reef is through the towns of Cairns and Port Douglas. Fly direct to Cairns from Asian airports such as Hong Kong, Singapore and Tokyo, or connect through Brisbane from San Francisco, Los Angeles or Vancouver.

Cairns

Staying in or near Cairns is a popular option, offering direct access to the reef through day or multi-day trips by boat, Liveaboard cruises or scenic flights.

Accessing the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns:

From Cairns, the main reef locations are popular spots like Green Island, Fitzroy Island and the Outer Reef. It can take between 45 minutes to two hours to access these reefs from the Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal. There are several ways to access the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns, including booking a day trip or multi-day tours offering snorkeling, scuba diving and glass-bottom boat experiences.

Port Douglas

If you are after upscale resorts and a laid-back atmosphere, Port Douglas should be your destination. Port Douglas is only an hour’s drive north of Cairns, and provides easy access to the outer reefs, with more abundant marine life. Closeby Port Douglas, you can find the Daintree Rainforest, another UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its rich and unique Australian wildlife.

What to do in Port Douglas

The best way to spend a day in Port Douglas without leaving the town is to visit the stunning Four Mile Beach. Here you can swim, sunbathe and do other activities including yoga and water sports within walking distance to great dining options.

Local dining options include the Hi Tide by the Beach for a delicious breakfast overlooking the beach, to Nautilus Restaurant for freshly caught local seafood in an open-air dining experience.

No visit to Australia is complete without seeing Australia’s wildlife beyond the sea life of the Reef. The Wildlife Habitat, an eco-certified animal sanctuary located only a short distance from town, is where you can interact directly with kangaroos, koalas, cassowaries (a type of flightless bird) and other native animals.

Visit Daintree Rainforest, a UNESCO World Heritage site located just north of Port Douglas and admire its biodiversity through a local First Nations guided tour of the rainforest.

Accessing the Great Barrier Reef from Port Douglas:

Similar to Cairns, you can access the Great Barrier Reef from Port Douglas through numerous day-trip and multi-day Liveaboard tours including snorkeling, scuba diving and glass-bottom boat tours. Tours typically leave from Crystalbrook Marina, which is easily accessible from hotels. The main reefs you can access from here are the Outer Reef for snorkeling and scuba diving in deep water and Low Isles for snorkeling in shallower waters.

Cairns:

• Guyala Cafe on the main Esplanade is named after the local Yirrganydji peoples’ word for a White Breasted Sea Eagle and serves fresh breakfast, brunch and lunch in an airy, modern setting.

• Salt House is perched on the waterfront of Cairns with sweeping views over the ocean and marina. Serving produce from Tropical North Queensland, including seafood and meats.

• Waterhouse Bar & Grill is a steakhouse serving succulent steaks on the waterfront, making this an easy lunch and dinner spot.

Port Douglas:

Local dining options include the Hi Tide by the Beach for a delicious breakfast overlooking the beach, to Nautilus Restaurant for freshly caught local seafood in an open-air dining experience.