Great Barrier Reef Holidays

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Photo by Tourism and Events Queensland

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Our guide on where to stay in Great Barrier Reef

Find the best Great Barrier Reef areas and neighborhoods for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about Great Barrier Reef
A beach lined with tall palm trees and a clear blue sky.

Palm Cove

Relax and rejuvenate at this beachside village, known as Queensland’s spa capital and enjoy the tropical north in style.

Find hotels in Palm Cove

Great Barrier Reef Holiday

Best time to go to Great Barrier Reef

The best time to visit Great Barrier Reef depends on your weather preferences. The hottest average temperature around Great Barrier Reef is in January and February. February is mostly cloudy. The coolest average temperature around Great Barrier Reef is in June when weather is mostly sunny and rainfall is no rain.

calendarCalendar MonthtemperatureTemperaturerainPrecipitationmostlyCloudiness
January79.5°F (26.4°C)Frequent RainMostly Cloudy
February79.5°F (26.4°C)Moderate RainMostly Cloudy
March76.5°F (24.700000000000003°C)Light RainMostly Sunny
April72.3°F (22.4°C)Light RainMostly Sunny
May66.6°F (19.200000000000003°C)No RainMostly Sunny
June62.6°F (17.0°C)No RainMostly Sunny
July63.9°F (17.7°C)No RainMostly Sunny
August63.5°F (17.5°C)No RainSunny
September68.4°F (20.200000000000003°C)No RainMostly Sunny
October72.5°F (22.5°C)No RainMostly Sunny
November76.5°F (24.700000000000003°C)Light RainMostly Sunny
December78.3°F (25.700000000000003°C)Light RainMostly Sunny

Tips to save on your trip to Great Barrier Reef

  • Combine your flights, hotels and car rentals on Expedia—bundling can result in significant savings.
  • Use the Price per traveler filter on Expedia to find a package deal that suits your budget.
  • Check the VIP Access properties filter to discover outstanding hotels with added member perks at select properties.

Our pick of the best Great Barrier Reef Hotel Deals

Airlie Beach Hotel

Airlie Beach Hotel

3.5 out of 5
Corner The Esplanade and Coconut Grove Airlie Beach QLD
The price is NZ$256 per night from 30 July to 31 July
NZ$256
30 July - 31 July
includes taxes & fees
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,002 reviews)
"Good location"

Reviewed on 7 July 2026

Airlie Beach Hotel
Reef View Hotel

Reef View Hotel

4 out of 5
12 Resort Drive Whitsundays QLD
The price is NZ$543 per night from 31 July to 1 Aug
NZ$543
31 July - 1 Aug
includes taxes & fees
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,005 reviews)
"I loved the room and it was super high quality. The beds were neat and there wasn’t any stains. It had a good view when we were in the elevator. There were so much things to do such as snorkelling and fuse ball, even ping pong! I had such a great time and I do recommend everyone to go. Overall, I ..."

Reviewed on 6 July 2026

Reef View Hotel
Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns

Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns

5 out of 5
Pierpoint Road Cairns QLD
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NZ$409 per night from 19 July to 20 July
NZ$409
19 July - 20 July
includes taxes & fees
9/10 Wonderful! (1,002 reviews)
"Lovely room and hotel Restaurant now inside hotel and more low key Staff excellent as always"

Reviewed on 5 July 2026

Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns
See all 5,012 properties in Great Barrier Reef
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Stay near popular Great Barrier Reef attractions

A large public swimming pool with people swimming and playing, surrounded by buildings and mountains in the background.
Photo by Tourism and Events Queensland
Open Photo by Tourism and Events Queensland

Cairns Esplanade

9.2/10 (7,071 reviews)
Soak up the city’s relaxed atmosphere and admire the sunset over the Coral Sea as you wander along this popular walkway.
See properties

What to do in Great Barrier Reef

Whitehaven Beach Tour: 2 Options - All Day Beach Or Snorkel

Whitehaven Beach Tour: 2 Options - All Day Beach Or Snorkel

NZ$250
per adult
90% of travellers recommend
Whitehaven Beach Tour: 2 Options - All Day Beach Or Snorkel
Great Barrier Reef Day Cruise to Reefworld

Great Barrier Reef Adventure to Reefworld

NZ$277
per traveller
92% of travellers recommend
Great Barrier Reef Adventure to Reefworld
Whitehaven Beach Big Island Day Tour

Whitehaven Beach Purely Whitehaven Day Tour

NZ$322
per adult
94% of travellers recommend
Whitehaven Beach Purely Whitehaven Day Tour
See all activities in Great Barrier Reef

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* Savings based on package bookings compared to the price of the same components booked separately. Savings not available on all packages.