Tropical North Queensland is one of Australia’s best tourism destinations both domestically and internationally, and for one very good reason – the Great Barrier Reef. The main entry point into this region is through Cairns. The Cairns Fleet Terminal is a big and busy port, allowing hundreds of boats of all shapes and sizes to get out onto the water each week. Island day trips, week long scuba dive liveaboards, fishing charters and half day trips out to the reef to snorkel are just some of the water activities holiday travellers come to Cairns for.
Compare prices and inclusions for all types of air, sea and land tours to the Great Barrier Reef and surrounding areas. Your complete Tropical North Queensland tour guide is here: Great Barrier Reef tours.
There are almost too many options for Great Barrier Reef tours. Day trips or overnight stays? Cruise along above the water, snorkel on the surface or scuba dive deep below. And then there are tours that combine several locations and modes of transport over several days. Travel by boat to a tropical island or water pontoon or just stay on the boat. TravelOnline has all these tour options and more in its Great Barrier Reef site.
Although most of the tours from Cairns involve the water there are plenty more options for those who want to stay on dry land. The Daintree Rainforest is a little more than an hour’s drive north and in this world heritage listed area visitors can cruise along the Daintree River, do a 4WD safari, trek through the lush growth or swim in cold tropical streams.
For tourists short on time but wanting to see as much as they can, a scenic flight is ideal. There are several 30-60 minute helicopter rides which take in the amazing coastline and spectacular reefs and depart from either Cairns or Port Douglas (a 50 minute drive away). The Great Barrier Reef has over 2900 individual reefs and the best way to see a lot of them is by the air.
Scuba diving in Australia with Dive The World
Dive the Great Barrier Reef in Australia with Cairns liveaboard cruises to the Ribbon Reefs, Cod Hole and the Coral Sea.
