Great Barrier Reef Holidays

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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
Palm Cove

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

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$260 per night from 19 Apr to 20 Apr
NZ$260
19 Apr - 20 Apr
includes taxes & fees
9/10 Wonderful! (1,005 reviews)
Good location. On site pool. Lovely breakfast.

Reviewed on 11 Apr 2026

Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns
Airlie Beach Hotel

Airlie Beach Hotel

3.5 out of 5
Corner The Esplanade and Coconut Grove Airlie Beach QLD
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NZ$242 per night from 28 Apr to 29 Apr
NZ$242
28 Apr - 29 Apr
includes taxes & fees
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,005 reviews)
While it wasn’t anything flash it did the job. Amenities were nice, staff were really friendly and helpful. For us the location was ideal, close to town and close to the port where most of our activities left from.

Reviewed on 9 Apr 2026

Airlie Beach Hotel
Hilton Cairns

Hilton Cairns

5 out of 5
34 Esplanade Cairns QLD
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NZ$254 per night from 19 Apr to 20 Apr
NZ$254
19 Apr - 20 Apr
includes taxes & fees
9/10 Wonderful! (1,004 reviews)
Everything was good . Had a wonderful stay

Reviewed on 11 Apr 2026

Hilton Cairns
See all 4,992 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.

Discover the most popular places to visit in Great Barrier Reef

Cairns Esplanade

Cairns Esplanade

4.5/5(1,368 reviews)

Soak up the city’s relaxed atmosphere and admire the sunset over the Coral Sea as you wander along this popular walkway.

Cairns Esplanade
Whitehaven Beach

Whitehaven Beach

4.5/5(289 reviews)

Stroll along this famous beach on Whitsunday Island to experience its dazzling white sands and gently lapping waters in different hues of blue and green.

Whitehaven Beach
Airlie Beach Lagoon

Airlie Beach Lagoon

4.5/5(336 reviews)

Spend the day with the family enjoying the sheltered waters of Airlie Beach’s own tropical oasis, surrounded by landscaped gardens and grassy picnic areas.

Airlie Beach Lagoon

What to do in Great Barrier Reef

Great Barrier Reef Day Cruise to Reefworld

Great Barrier Reef Adventure to Reefworld

NZ$222
per traveller
92% of travellers recommend
Great Barrier Reef Adventure to Reefworld
Whitehaven Beach Tour: 2 Options - All Day Beach Or Snorkel

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

NZ$274
per adult
90% of travellers recommend
Whitehaven Beach Tour: 2 Options - All Day Beach Or Snorkel
Whitehaven Beach Big Island Day Tour

Whitehaven Beach Purely Whitehaven Day Tour

NZ$293
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.