Great Barrier Reef Tours from Brisbane
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10 best Great Barrier Reef tours from Brisbane
Compiled by
MelissaBrisbane travel expert at TourRadar
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- East coast & dream islands (from Brisbane to Cairns)
Your route from The Point Brisbane includes flights to Airlie Beach, Great Barrier Reef marine life and Whitsundays Islands, finishing at Flynn Hotel Cairns after Atherton Tablelands' natural wonders.
Duration 7 days Destinations Brisbane, Airlie Beach, Whitsunday Islands, Mission Beach, Atherton, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef Age Range up to 90 year olds Operator Via Travel Australia From
- US$2,633
Duration 8 days Destinations Brisbane, Noosa, Hervey Bay, Fraser Island, Airlie Beach, Whitsunday Islands, Townsville, Lucinda, Mission Beach, AthertonSee all destinations Age Range 15 to 99 year olds Operator Intrepid Travel From $2,670
10% Off- US$2,403You save $267
The path connects Brisbane's urban landscape to Great Barrier Reef's marine wonders, featuring Fraser Island's sand tracks, Whitsundays' turquoise waters, and Magnetic Island's koala trails, concluding with reef snorkeling near Cairns.
Duration 20 days Destinations Brisbane, Noosa, Fraser Island, Airlie Beach, Great Barrier Reef, Magnetic Island, Mission Beach, Cairns Age Range 2 to 95 year olds Operator Receptivo Aborigen Tours From
10% Off- US$4,799
Duration 9 days Destinations Brisbane, Cairns, Sydney Age Range 12 to 99 year olds Operator Firebird Tours From
10% Off- US$4,675
The route from The Point Brisbane on Lambert Street weaves through Whitsundays and Mission Beach to the Great Barrier Reef region, concluding at Flynn Hotel in Cairns after touring Atherton Tablelands over 7 days.
Duration 7 days Destinations Brisbane, Airlie Beach, Whitsunday Islands, Mission Beach, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef Age Range 18 to 99 year olds Operator On The Go Tours From
10% Off- US$2,615
The coastal passage from Brisbane's Lambert Street to Cairns' Crystalbrook Flynn features flight to Airlie Beach, boat transfers to reef sites, and Solar Whisper cruise on Daintree River, showcasing spots from Whitehaven Beach to Cape Tribulation.
Duration 9 days Destinations Brisbane, Airlie Beach, Whitsundays, Mission Beach, Atherton, Great Barrier Reef, Cairns, Port Douglas, Mossman Gorge, Daintree National Park Age Range 18 to 99 year olds Operator On The Go Tours From $4,205
20% Off- US$3,364You save $841
Brisbane's Mount Coot-Tha marks the starting point through Noosa National Park and Airlie Beach. The route includes 2-night Whitsundays sailing adventure, Whitehaven Beach visits, finishing in Cairns after Mission Beach's tropical shores.
Duration 10 days Destinations Brisbane, Noosa, Airlie Beach, Whitsundays, Magnetic Island, Mission Beach, Cairns Age Range 18 to 35 year olds Operator Intrepid Travel From
20% Off- US$2,610
Your adventure from Brisbane includes Australia Zoo visits before heading north to Cairns for Great Barrier Reef activities, featuring city tours, wildlife experiences, and cultural immersion.
Duration 15 days Destinations Brisbane, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Melbourne, Sydney, Nadi, Coral Coast Age Range 5 to 80 year olds Operator Globus From
20% Off- US$5,759+$1,417 upfront costs
Brisbane's riverside welcomes you before heading north through the Great Barrier Reef region. The route includes Magnetic Island ferry rides, Atherton Tablelands waterfalls, ending in Cairns, with domestic flight from Noosa to Airlie Beach.
Duration 13 days Destinations Brisbane, Byron Bay, Noosa, Fraser Island, Airlie Beach, Whitsunday Islands, Atherton, Magnetic Island, Cape Tribulation, Cairns Age Range 18 to 55 year olds Operator On The Go Tours From
20% Off- US$3,915
The coastal adventure from Brisbane moves to K'Gari, Lady Elliot Island and Hamilton Island before Cairns. Stops include Rockhampton and Townsville, covering 1,600km of Great Barrier Reef coastline with island transfers.
Duration 14 days Destinations Brisbane, Fraser Island, Rockhampton, Great Barrier Reef, Airlie Beach, Hamilton Island, Townsville, Cairns Age Range up to 99 year olds Operated in English, German Operator MEIERS WELTREISEN From
20% Off- US$5,842
What people love about Great Barrier Reef Tours from Brisbane
- Oz East Coast Adventure 20 days
I had such an amazing experience! The organisation, trips and people were incredible. Met the best group of people who are now friends for life, Val our tour leader brought us all together so well and always kept us entertained and on schedule.
- Brisbane to Cairns Experience: Sand Dunes & the Whitsundays
My tour finished 10 days ago now and I'm still having withdrawal symptoms!! It was the first time I'd ever travelled with a group and I wouldn't hesitate to go on another tour with G - I absolutely loved it. I was with an amazing group and Karly our CEO was an absolute legend. We were very lucky with the weather - our visits to Noosa, Fraser Island (especially Lake Mackenzie), and Airlie beach were just amazing and as for sailing round the Whitsundays - well, that was perfect!! Many of us stayed on in Cairns for a couple of days after the tour finished - we dragged the tour out for as long as we could! The hostels were fine (and that's coming from someone who had never stayed in a hostel before!), the whole tour was exceptionally well organised and the transport was great too (I even have fond memories of the overnight train despite having ZERO sleep!) For anyone going on this tour (and especially if you have Karly as your guide!), I am very jealous!
- Oz East Coast + Work 20 Days
I recently completed a remarkable 10-day trip “Oz Jobs” to Australia with a group led by an exceptional instructor, Val, and it was an experience that I will remember forever. It was a perfect mix of freedom to explore with the guidance and knowledge of our team leader, Val who didn’t just give us awesome facts about Australia and its landmarks and history, but personal recommendations for restaurants, pubs, clubs and shops. The tour felt so much longer than 10 days with how close the group grew, but at the same time it flew by! I plan to go on to work in Australia on a working holiday visa, and during the tour I discovered how much I loved surfers paradise, and now plan to head back down the east coast to find work there. Val has been super supportive even after I have left the group in giving me the extra reassurance and support that makes my transition to living/working in Australia so much easier.
What our customers ask about Great Barrier Reef Tours from Brisbane
How many stops are typically included between Brisbane and the Great Barrier Reef?
The journey from Brisbane to the Great Barrier Reef includes 6-8 key destinations along Queensland's coast. Travelers can expect to visit coastal gems like Noosa with its national park then continue to K'gari (Fraser Island). The route leads north to Airlie Beach where boats depart for the Whitsunday Islands followed by stops at Mission Beach and Magnetic Island before reaching the reef access point of Cairns. A TourRadar traveler shared "Each stop from Brisbane was unique and offered something special - from Fraser Island's sand dunes to the Whitsundays' perfect beaches."
What is the typical length of tours from Brisbane to the Great Barrier Reef?
Most tours along Queensland's coast run between 7-20 days with 13 days being standard. The North Queensland Adventure route allows time to explore highlights like Noosa K'gari (Fraser Island) and the Whitsundays en route to the Great Barrier Reef. According to a TourRadar traveler "Such an enjoyable trip up the East Coast! Completely stress free and includes really fun once in a lifetime activities!"
What are the most common starting points for tours within Brisbane?
Tours depart from three central Brisbane locations: The Point Brisbane Hotel on Lambert Street BUNK Brisbane hostel in the downtown area and the Roma Street vicinity near Parklands. Most itineraries begin with an evening orientation walk taking in South Bank's beach area and the Brisbane River. A TourRadar traveler noted "The Point Brisbane Hotel was a perfect starting point with easy access to explore the city via the free CityHopper ferries."
What activities are included in the first day starting from Brisbane?
Day one begins with an evening welcome meeting at 5-6pm followed by a guided walk through Brisbane's key sites including South Bank the Botanic Gardens and riverfront areas. Groups typically gather for dinner at a local restaurant before exploring the energetic Fortitude Valley district. One TourRadar traveler noted "Our first evening in Brisbane was perfect - we had a great orientation tour followed by dinner where we got to know our group."
What is the best time of year to start a Great Barrier Reef tour from Brisbane?
The prime touring season runs March through November. June to August brings mild temperatures and minimal rain making it peak season. Spring and fall months (March-May and September-November) offer pleasant conditions with smaller crowds. A traveler's review states "We went in March and had perfect weather throughout the journey from Brisbane to Cairns making it ideal for both city exploring and reef activities."
What type of accommodation can I expect at the start of the tour in Brisbane?
Brisbane accommodations range from upscale hotels like The Point Brisbane and Next Hotel to social hostels such as BUNK Brisbane. Premium tours feature stays at boutique properties like the Crystalbrook Flynn while budget-conscious options provide shared rooms in backpacker venues. A TourRadar guest noted "The accommodation in Brisbane was great - less of a hostel and more of a resort with a pool and licensed cafe."