Great Barrier Reef

Travel Guide

Photo provided by Tourism and Events Queensland
Photo provided by Tourism and Events Queensland
Great Barrier Reef which includes colorful reefs and general coastal views
Great Barrier Reef showing coral and general coastal views
Photo provided by Tourism and Events Queensland
Photo provided by Tourism and Events Queensland
Great Barrier Reef showing general coastal views and coral

Where to stay in Great Barrier Reef

Palm Cove showing a beach, a garden and tropical scenes

Palm Cove

Palm Cove is known for its stunning beaches, and you can see some sights in the area like Palm Cove Beach and Vie Spa Palm Cove.

Palm Cove
Cairns which includes a city

Cairns Central Business District

4.5/5(264 area reviews)

Cairns Central Business District is known for its popular shops, and with sights like Esplanade Lagoon and Cairns Marlin Marina, you won't get bored spending a day wandering around this part of Cairns.

Cairns Central Business District
Trinity Beach showing landscape views, tropical scenes and a beach

Trinity Beach

Travelers to Trinity Beach praise its stunning beaches. If you've got some more time to explore, be sure to make a stop by Trinity Beach and Kewarra Beach.

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

Cairns North

Beaches and abundant 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
Clifton Beach featuring mountains, a luxury hotel or resort and golf

Clifton Beach

Travelers come to Clifton Beach for its beaches, and you can see top attractions like Clifton Village Shopping Centre and Clifton Beach while you're in town.

Clifton Beach
Queens Gardens featuring forests and a park

North Ward

North Ward is known for its pristine beaches, and you can make a stop by The Strand Beach and Strand Waterpark while in the area.

North Ward
Cairns Colonial Club Resort
Cairns Colonial Club Resort
4 out of 5
18-26 Cannon Street, Manunda, QLD
The price is AED 247 per night from Mar 16 to Mar 17
AED 247
AED 272 total
includes taxes & fees
16 Mar - 17 Mar
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly hotel in Cairns. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 3 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,002 reviews)
"It was suitable for a one night accommodation that was last minute was very pleased with the service"

Reviewed on 5 March 2025

Cairns Colonial Club Resort
Cairns Harbourside Hotel
Cairns Harbourside Hotel
4 out of 5
209-217 The Esplanade, Cairns North, QLD
The price is AED 317 per night from Mar 23 to Mar 24
AED 317
AED 349 total
includes taxes & fees
23 Mar - 24 Mar
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Cairns. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,016 reviews)
"The Staff were extremely helpful and nice. We arrived hours early so I thought we would see if we could store our luggage. Turned out, we could check in. We were swimming 10 minutes later. The Buffet Breakfast was terrific- highly recommend you take up that option. What a great stay. Thank you very ..."

Reviewed on 10 March 2025

Cairns Harbourside Hotel
Rydges Esplanade Resort Cairns
Rydges Esplanade Resort Cairns
4 out of 5
209-217 Abbott Street, Cairns North, QLD
The price is AED 325 per night from Mar 26 to Mar 27
AED 325
AED 358 total
includes taxes & fees
26 Mar - 27 Mar
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Cairns. Enjoy free WiFi, 3 outdoor pools, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,002 reviews)
"Ocean views and everything required for a comfortable stay and staff friendly and very helpful with anything asked of them"

Reviewed on 10 March 2025

Rydges Esplanade Resort Cairns
See all 4,715 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.
Mirage Whitsundays
Mirage Whitsundays
4 out of 5
11 Altmann Avenue, Cannonvale, QLD
Stay at this 4-star beach aparthotel in Cannonvale. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (662 reviews)
"Loved this place, friendly and helpful staff, beautiful location. Scenic and walkable distance to the local town. Close by to near shops. Amazing apartment with incredible views. You really couldn’t ask for more!"

Reviewed on 11 March 2025

Mirage Whitsundays
Whitsunday Apartments
Whitsunday Apartments
4 out of 5
14 Resort Drive, Whitsundays, QLD
Stay at this 4-star beach aparthotel in Whitsundays. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,446 reviews)
"Incredible experience, very friendly and professional staff. Would definitely do again!"

Reviewed on 6 March 2025

Whitsunday Apartments
Pullman Port Douglas Sea Temple Resort and Spa
Pullman Port Douglas Sea Temple Resort and Spa
5 out of 5
Mitre Street, Craiglie, QLD
Stay at this 5-star luxury aparthotel in Craiglie. Enjoy free parking, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Four Mile Beach and ...
9/10 Wonderful! (972 reviews)
Tired needs a revamp
"This is a lovely resort but it’s tired and it has been very trafficked the rooms need an upgrade or even a paint furniture is groty and needs replacing and everything felt low exspecially the bathroom and toilet and couch was really low and uncomfortable the bedroom mattress needs to be replaced ..."

Reviewed on 30 January 2025

Pullman Port Douglas Sea Temple Resort and Spa
See all 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.

Popular places to visit

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

Cairns Esplanade

4.5/5(253 reviews)

Cairns Esplanade is just one of the places to see in Cairns, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Discover the beautiful coral reefs in this walkable area, or enjoy its local tours.

Cairns Esplanade
Magnetic Island Ferry Terminal featuring a ferry as well as a small group of people

Magnetic Island Ferry Terminal

4.5/5(18 reviews)

Explore the waterfront in Townsville with a trip to Magnetic Island Ferry Terminal. Wander the area's riverfront or simply enjoy one of its top-notch restaurants.

Magnetic Island Ferry Terminal
Cairns Marlin Marina which includes sailing, mountains and a marina

Cairns Marlin Marina

4.5/5(109 reviews)

Explore the waterfront in Cairns with a trip to Cairns Marlin Marina. Discover the beautiful coral reefs in this walkable area, or enjoy its local tours.

Cairns Marlin Marina
Whitehaven Beach showing tropical scenes, general coastal views and a sandy beach

Whitehaven Beach

5/5(59 reviews)

Why not spend a carefree afternoon at Whitehaven Beach during your travels in Whitsundays?

Whitehaven Beach
Port of Airlie which includes a bay or harbor

Port of Airlie

4.5/5(27 reviews)

Explore the waterfront in Airlie Beach with a trip to Port of Airlie. Stroll along the beautiful beaches or visit the spas in this relaxing area.

Port of Airlie
Airlie Beach Lagoon showing a pool, swimming and tropical scenes

Airlie Beach Lagoon

4.5/5(41 reviews)

If a restful vacation is part of your travel plans, Airlie Beach Lagoon might be the perfect place to seek out during your trip to Airlie Beach. Stroll along the marina or visit the shops in this family-friendly area.

Airlie Beach Lagoon