What to do in Great Barrier Reef

Activities, attractions and tours

Great Barrier Reef showing scuba diving, marine life and coral
Great Barrier Reef showing scuba diving, marine life and coral
Great Barrier Reef which includes colorful reefs and general coastal views
Great Barrier Reef showing coral and general coastal views
Great Barrier Reef which includes marine life

Places to Visit in Great Barrier Reef

Ready for the adventure of a lifetime? Let Expedia.co.nz help you find the most exciting and fun things to do in Great Barrier Reef, Australia - New Zealand and the South Pacific while also allowing you to save a ton on travel arrangements. Regardless of whether you’re an urban explorer or an intrepid outdoor enthusiast, we can help you decide exactly what to do and see during your time in town.

Our thorough travel guides offer you an insider’s perspective on all of the best Great Barrier Reef attractions from NZ$175, making it easy for you to decide which places to visit and when. And by using Expedia.co.nz to set your sightseeing schedule, you can take in more of the enchanting attractions this area is famous for.

From group Great Barrier Reef tours and must-see landmarks to personal guides who take you off-the-beaten track, Expedia.co.nz offers you over 10 of the most popular events, activities, and attractions in this corner of the world. So whether you’re travelling alone, alongside a loved one, or with the whole family in tow, be sure to browse through our extensive travel guides prior to your plane touching down in this spectacular Great Barrier Reef. We even have a massive selection of flights, car hires, and accommodation for you to choose from. So what are you waiting for? Start your search today, and you’ll be having the time of your life before you know it.

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Top places to visit

1. Cairns Esplanade

The Cairns Esplanade is a focal point for the city’s social life. With restaurants and gardens on one side, and overlooking the Trinity Inlet and Coral Sea on the other, this area celebrates the best of Cairns. Along the tree-lined walkway you’ll find playgrounds, barbecue sites, dedicated exercise areas and also a salt-water lagoon.
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Cairns Esplanade which includes a luxury hotel or resort, a pool and swimming

2. Whitehaven Beach

Subtropical Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island is the most famous beach in Queensland and consistently ranks high among the most beautiful beaches in the world. Stroll along the beach, dive in for a swim and let the beauty of the beach rub off on you.
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Whitehaven Beach which includes landscape views, general coastal views and a beach

3. Hamilton Island Marina

The Hamilton Island Marina is a convenient place to launch your voyage into the breathtaking Whitsunday Islands or stopover for a relaxing stay in a waterfront villa. With spacious berths for yachts and super yachts, the marina is fitted out with state-of-the-art facilities and professional boat care specialists. Alternatively, jump on board one of the passenger ferries or charter tours that depart from the Hamilton Island Marina to explore Airlie Beach, Whitehaven Beach, the Great Barrier Reef or the Whitsunday Islands.
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Hamilton Island Marina featuring a bay or harbour, boating and landscape views

4. Port of Airlie

Boasting year-round warm weather, subtropical waters, shops, restaurants and accommodations, the Port of Airlie can be seen as a destination in itself, although most visitors come here to take a trip out to the Whitsunday Islands and Great Barrier Reef.
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Port of Airlie which includes a bay or harbour

5. Four Mile Beach

Four Mile Beach is the central beach in Port Douglas. At the northern end there is a small hill with a lookout, a prime place to watch the sunrise over the Coral Sea, and at the southern end is a mangrove forest.
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Four Mile Beach which includes tropical scenes, landscape views and general coastal views

6. Airlie Beach Lagoon

Airlie Beach Lagoon is a safe and relaxing swimming spot in the heart of the township, where you can play and swim in the clear waters and enjoy the pretty tropical surroundings. Known affectionately to visitors and locals as “the lagoon,” this sheltered man-made pool has been a favored meeting place since 2001 and combines elements of a natural lagoon to create an enticing and secure environment to unwind.
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Airlie Beach Lagoon which includes a pool, tropical scenes and swimming

7. Catseye Beach

Catseye Beach is a perfect crescent of sand overlooking the royal-blue reefs and forested mountains of Whitsunday Island, making it a popular backdrop for weddings. Regarded as one of Hamilton Island’s premier beach destinations, Catseye Beach is a convenient and scenic spot to spend the day soaking up the sun’s rays or exploring the magnificent shoreline. Swim in the shallows, paddle along the coastline in a kayak, skipper a catamaran or grab your snorkel and mask and discover the picturesque shores of Catseye Beach.
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Catseye Beach which includes a beach and sailing as well as a small group of people

What to do in Great Barrier Reef

Discover the most popular places to visit in Great Barrier Reef

Cairns Esplanade which includes a luxury hotel or resort, a pool and swimming

Cairns Esplanade

4.5/5(1,351 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 showing tropical scenes, general coastal views and a sandy beach

Whitehaven Beach

4.5/5(287 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
Hamilton Island Marina featuring a bay or harbour, boating and landscape views

Hamilton Island Marina

4.5/5(257 reviews)

Cruise in for a visit or begin your boating adventure in the Great Barrier Reef from this world-class marina and make use of its fantastic facilities and great dining.

Hamilton Island Marina
Port of Airlie which includes a bay or harbour

Port of Airlie

4.5/5(307 reviews)

This sun-kissed marina is your gateway to the world-famous Whitsunday Islands. Sail or drive here to shop or dine with views over the glistering turquoise waters.

Port of Airlie
Four Mile Beach featuring general coastal views and a beach

Four Mile Beach

4.5/5(639 reviews)

One of Australia’s most photographed beaches has clear-blue water, pristine white sand, swaying palm trees and brilliant views of the ocean.

Four Mile Beach
Airlie Beach Lagoon which includes a pool, tropical scenes and swimming

Airlie Beach Lagoon

4.5/5(328 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
Catseye Beach which includes a beach and sailing as well as a small group of people

Catseye Beach

4.5/5(154 reviews)

Swim, stroll, try exciting watersports or simply recline under the shade of palm trees and enjoy the views from one of Hamilton Island’s main beaches.

Catseye Beach
One of best things to do in Cairns is ride the Kuranda Scenic Railway. It's a 90 minute journey that takes you down the mountain to Cairns passing waterfalls, scenic lookouts and over old bridges. Catch the Skyrail up the mountain from Cairns and then catch the train back down. Or, vice versa.

Cairns Central Shopping Centre

4/5(1,110 reviews)

During your visit to Tropical North Waterfront, you can do some window-shopping at Cairns Central Shopping Centre. Discover the spectacular coral reefs in this walkable area or enjoy its local tours.

Cairns Central Shopping Centre
Take a wide angle lens if you're heading out to the Barrier Reef- the skies are amazing!

Macrossan Street

4.5/5(597 reviews)

During your visit to Port Douglas, you can find the perfect gifts to bring home at Macrossan Street. Amble around the area's waterfront or seek out the local tours.

Macrossan Street

Explore areas of Great Barrier Reef

Palm Cove showing a beach, a garden and tropical scenes

Palm Cove

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

Palm Cove
Cairns which includes a city

Cairns Central Business District

4.5/5(1,474 area reviews)

Cairns Central Business District is beloved for its popular shops. Take some time to explore sights in the area like Esplanade Lagoon and Cairns Marlin Marina.

Cairns Central Business District
Trinity Beach featuring tropical scenes, landscape views and surfing

Trinity Beach

Unwind on this tranquil stretch of golden beach, relax under the shade of swaying palm trees and explore Tropical North Queensland at your leisure.

Trinity Beach
Yorkeys Knob showing tranquil scenes and mountains

Yorkeys Knob

Yorkeys Knob is noteworthy for its beaches, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Yorkeys Knob Beach and Half Moon Bay Golf Course.

Yorkeys Knob
The Cairns Lagoon at sunrise in Tropical North Queensland

Cairns North

Pristine beaches and ample dining options are well-reviewed features of Cairns North. Make a stop by top sights like Cairns Esplanade Charles Street Parkland while you're exploring the area.

Cairns North
Queens Gardens showing a park and forests

North Ward

North Ward is known for its beaches, and you can plan a trip to The Strand Beach and Townsville Sports Reserve while you're in town.

North Ward

 

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