Great Barrier Reef Trips (flight + hotel)

Photo by Tourism and Events Queensland

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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 on sandy beaches and swim in turquoise waters at a resort town between the Great Barrier Reef and the rain forests of tropical Far North Queensland.

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A waterfront with a wooden bridge, modern buildings, and lush greenery.

Cairns Central Business District

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

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A beach with a person walking with a surfboard, a sandy shore, and calm sea.

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.

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A sunset over a calm pool with palm trees and a gazebo.

Cairns North

The pristine beaches and ample dining options are top of the list for many visitors to Cairns North. A stop by Cairns Esplanade Charles Street Parkland or Cairns Mudflats might round out your trip.

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A golf course with a clubhouse, a pond, and a forested hill in the background.

Clifton Beach

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

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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.

Top hotels in Great Barrier Reef

Pacific Hotel Cairns

Pacific Hotel Cairns

Corner Esplanade And Spence Street Cairns QLD
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
P8,691
P9,560 total
Oct 26 - Oct 27
includes taxes & fees
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,009 reviews)
"Great location, close to everything. Staff were very helpful and friendly Would stay here again"

Reviewed on Sep 24, 2026

Pacific Hotel Cairns
Airlie Beach Hotel

Airlie Beach Hotel

Corner The Esplanade and Coconut Grove Airlie Beach QLD
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
P8,257
P9,082 total
Oct 11 - Oct 12
includes taxes & fees
Airlie Beach Hotel
Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns

Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns

Pierpoint Road Cairns QLD
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
P11,917
P13,108 total
Oct 27 - Oct 28
includes taxes & fees
Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns
See all 5,099 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 beach with a lifeguard tower, palm trees, and a swimming pool.

Cairns Esplanade

9.2/10 (7,071 reviews)
Stroll along the boardwalk surrounded by palms tree and landscaped gardens and watch the sun set over the Coral Sea.
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A pier extending into the ocean at sunset.

Palm Cove Beach

9.0/10 (4,218 reviews)
Located in between the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef, this palm tree-lined beach is an idyllic spot to take it easy or begin an adventure.
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A marina with numerous boats docked, a large cruise ship, and a cityscape with buildings and mountains in the background.

Cairns Marlin Marina

8.8/10 (3,149 reviews)
Enjoy views of the harbour and and unwind with al-fresco dining, entertainment and shopping beside the bay.
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A coastal landscape with clear turquoise waters, sandy beaches, and green hills.

Whitehaven Beach

9.6/10 (822 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.
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A train carriage with red seats and windows.
Photo by Caz and Craig @yTravelBlog

Cairns Central Shopping Centre

8.6/10 (5,059 reviews)
During your visit to Tropical North Waterfront, you can search for that perfect souvenir at Cairns Central Shopping Centre. Discover the beautiful coral reefs in this walkable area, or enjoy its local tours.
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A marina with several sailboats docked, surrounded by a forested landscape and hills in the background.

Macrossan Street

9.2/10 (1,937 reviews)
During your visit to Port Douglas, you can browse for the perfect souvenirs at Macrossan Street. Amble around the area's waterfront or seek out the local tours.
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A marina with two sailboats docked, surrounded by greenery and a mountainous backdrop.

Port of Airlie

9.0/10 (1,391 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.
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Daintree Rainforest

9.4/10 (647 reviews)
Explore the great outdoors at Daintree Rainforest, a lovely green space in Diwan. Wander the rainforest and riverfront while you're in the area.
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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.