Places to See the Great Barrier Reef

You cannot come to the Whitsundays and not visit Hill Inlet and Whitehaven Beach. Two of the major icons of the Whitsundays accessible by helicopter ride, airplane scenic flight, half day or full day Great Barrier Reef tours, overnight sailing tours or luxury charter yachts. But book early or miss out on Hill Inlet & Whitehaven Beach.

Cairns tours to the Great Barrier Reef attract visitors to see this World Heritage-listed underwater world and its brilliant marine life. Browse the biggest selection of Cairns tours and attractions and read the indepth tour itineraries of each tour. Tours departing from Cairns offer activities for all types of travellers whether on a budget or those looking for more intimate luxury travel.

Green Island just off Cairns is a nature lover's paradise and the only coral cay on the Great Barrier Reef with a rainforest. See all the things to do and things to see on Green Island. Snorkelling tours, dive tours, helicopter rides and Seawalker. Green Island offers more activities than any island on the Great Barrier Reef and is just a short boat ride from Cairns.

Beautiful Fitzroy Island is just a short ferry ride from Cairns and is one the most favourite islands on the Great Barrier Reef. Stay for a holiday and enjoy the snorkeling and scuba diving straight off the island. Fitzroy Island is ideal for families with kids of all ages and romantic couples.

Sophisticated eateries and bars, luxurious holiday homes and resorts, and a bustling marina – Port Douglas is the number one destination for celebrities to holiday and mix it up with the locals. An ideal location from which you can explore the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest.

Explore the beautiful Low Isles on the Great Barrier Reef just off shore from Port Douglas on a half day, full day or combination snorkel tour and sunset cruise. A group of islands that are home to sea turtles, dugongs and other fascinating marine life. Take it easy or enjoy all the activities on the island such as the lighthouse historic walk and nature excursions.

Airlie Beach, the vibrant mainland gateway to the Whitsundays is an aquatic playground with plenty for thrill seekers and nature lovers to choose from. See the best Airlie Beach tours, go sailing and snorkel tour thru the Whitsundays on an overnight reef trip. Take a scenic flight over Heart Reef from Airlie Beach or dive the depths of the Great Barrier Reef.

Discover the magic of Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet, where fine white silica sand and stunning sandbars meet azure tidal pools. Daily tours to Whitehaven Beach showcase its unmatched beauty, while Hill Inlet lookout offers mesmerizing views of swirling sands and brilliant blue waters. Book a Whitehaven Beach & Hill Inlet tour for an unforgettable Whitsundays experience.

One of Australia's most popular holiday destinations and the only island in the Whitsundays and the Great Barrier Reef with its own commercial airport. Hamilton Island is a holiday hotspot for local and international visitors, boasting pristine white beaches, a kaleidoscope of coral and marine life, and year-round mild temperatures. See all the tours and attractions of Hamilton Island here.

Located close to Airlie Beach, Shute Harbour is a forest-clad, secluded jumping off point for many of the Whitsunday Island Tours. Shute Harbour is also the closest location to the Whitsunday Airport where guests can take scenic helicopter rides, airplane scenic flights and sailing holidays over the iconic locations of the Whitsunday Islands.

The thriving city of Townsville isn’t named the cultural capital of regional Australia for no reason – this is a city with style and innovation that has the added bonus of providing remarkable nature and outdoor experiences around Townsville and with a 20 minute boat ride you are on magnficent Magnetic Island and the Great Barrier Reef.

A beautiful beachside town located between Townsville and Cairns, with the Great Barrier Reef and Dunk Island right on its doorstep. Offering a range of activities from extreme adrenaline sports to snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef and island exploration. Mission Beach is perfect for family holidays, eco-adventures, adrenaline seekers and backpackers.

Lizard Island offers 24 stunning white sandy beaches, national park surrounds and is uniquely located in the centre of inner and outer reef systems as well as fringing reefs. Lizard Island is also home to the famous Cod Hole dive site and the northernmost luxury resort on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

The world’s largest sand island, K'gari (Fraser Island) is a sparkling gem in the Queensland tourism story, flush with natural attractions, flora, fauna, culture and history. Take a look at all the things to do and things to see on K'gari (Fraser Island) on the East coast of Australia.

One of the most popular island destinations in the Capricorn region, Great Keppel Island boasts white sandy secluded beaches, clear waters and some of the best snorkelling and scuba diving locations on the Great Barrier Reef just off Yeppoon. Explore all the things to do and things to see on Great Keppel Island.

Known as the “birthplace of Queensland,” Seventeen Seventy or 1770 is the closest access point to the Southern Great Barrier Reef with deserted beaches and pristine coral cays at your doorstep. Right next door to Agnes Waters, 1770 is the only place you can surf and dive the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Visit Lady Musgrave Island from 1770 in Australia

Hailed as the launch pad for the Great Barrier Reef, the most southern island of Lady Elliot is regarded as reef royalty. This is the place where you can swim with Manta Rays, see Dugongs, whales, sea turtles and other exceptionl marine life. Lady Elliott Island is a place not to be missed. Enjoy a day snorkelling Lady Elliot Island on scenic flights from various locations in Queensland.

Cooktown is one of Australia’s most unique coastal townships, guests can immerse themselves in the rich historical, cultural and natural beauty of Cooktown. Book a scenic flight day tour to Lizard Island or Cape York or a fly/drive tour of Cooktown and the surrounding attractions.

Discover Cape York, the wild and rugged national parks, hidden beaches, unique wildlife, rich history and remote islands of Australia’s northern tip, Cape York Peninsula. Book a scenic flight from Cairns or Cooktown to visit Cape York.

Conveniently located between Cairns and Port Douglas, the beachside suburb of Palm Cove is one of Australia's most popular holiday destinations in Far North Queensland. There are so many tours and attractions on offer for holiday makers in this dreamy beachside mecca and each of the tour operators will collect guests from their hotels to take them our on tour of the Great Barrier Reef.