Great Barrier Reef Tours from Sydney
4.5 stars on(7,938 reviews)- Choose from 19 Sydney tours
- 450+ verified reviews from TourRadar travelers
- 24/7 customer support
10 best Great Barrier Reef tours from Sydney
Compiled by
MelissaSydney travel expert at TourRadar
- Oz East Coast + Work 28 days
- Ultimate Australia (Without Sailing (2024-2026), 20 Days)
- Australia's Hidden Wonders (Base, 2025/2026, 10 Days)
- Sydney to Cairns Explorer - 14 days
- Bucket List Australia (10 Days)
- Australia's Hidden Wonders (Base, 2026/2027, 10 Days)
- Across Australia with Tasmania
- Highlights of Australia
- New Year's Eve Magic in Australia
- Sydney, Alice Springs, Uluru & Cairns Tour
Oz East Coast + Work 28 days
8 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The tour was so fun and well organised that I had to stay on for the rest. 10/10 experience!”
James, traveled in June
The coastal path from Sydney Harbor and Bondi Beach stretches 2,600km north through Byron Bay and K'Gari to the Great Barrier Reef. Airlie Beach provides access to 74 Whitsunday Islands before reaching Cairns' reef headquarters.
Duration 28 days Destinations Sydney, Byron Bay, Surfers Paradise, Brisbane, Rainbow Beach, Fraser Island, Airlie Beach, Whitsundays, Magnetic Island, Mission BeachSee all destinations Age Range 18 to 35 year olds Operator INTRO Travel From
- US$3,649
The 2000km coastal route from Sydney's harbor passes through Fraser Island's sand highways to the Great Barrier Reef. Byron Bay's surf spots and Airlie Beach's sailing paradise precede tropical Cairns.
Duration 20 days Destinations Sydney, Blue Mountains, Bondi, Bondi Beach, Byron Bay, Noosa, Fraser Island, Airlie Beach, Whitsundays, TownsvilleSee all destinations Age Range up to 35 year olds Operator Contiki From $3,693
6% Off- US$3,475+$872 upfront costsYou save $217
The path from Sydney's Holiday Inn Potts Point meanders through coastal towns to the Great Barrier Reef region. A flight from Brisbane to Airlie Beach leads to the final stop at Crystalbrook Flynn in Cairns.
Duration 14 days Destinations Sydney, Hunter Valley, Newcastle, Port Macquarie, Byron Bay, Noosa, Rainbow Beach, Fraser Island, 75 Mile Beach, BrisbaneSee all destinations Age Range 18 to 99 year olds Operator On The Go Tours From $5,985
20% Off- US$4,788You save $1,197
A grand tour from Sydney's Opera House flies to Uluru's sacred sites. The final stretch reaches Cairns for Moore Reef exploration and Kuranda Rainforest adventures, covering 3,000 kilometers.
Duration 10 days Destinations Sydney, Bondi Beach, Blue Mountains, Uluru, Great Barrier Reef, Cairns Age Range up to 80 year olds Operator Costsaver From $3,195
10% Off- US$2,876+$1,518 upfront costsYou save $319
The 4,500km adventure from Sydney covers 20 destinations via air and luxury coach. The route through Melbourne, Adelaide, and Darwin concludes with Great Barrier Reef exploration from Cairns, featuring both coastal and Outback landscapes.
Duration 25 days Destinations Sydney, Hobart, Port Arthur, Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, Launceston, Melbourne, Great Ocean Road, Mount Gambier, Kangaroo Island, AdelaideSee all destinations Age Range up to 90 year olds Operated in Only: German Operator Miller Reisen From
10% Off- US$12,523
Sydney's iconic Bondi Beach and Blue Mountains set the stage for your Australian adventure, followed by a flight to the sacred Uluru. The trip continues to the Great Barrier Reef area through Cairns, offering an optional reef excursion ($250), and concludes with Great Ocean Road explorations in Melbourne.
Duration 15 days Destinations Sydney, Uluru, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Kuranda, Melbourne Operated in Only: German Operator Gebeco From
10% Off- US$7,934
The northern route from Sydney's harbor to the Great Barrier Reef passes through Cairns. Reef snorkeling excursions available for $190. Kuranda rainforest village visits precede the southern leg to Melbourne's Great Ocean Road.
Duration 14 days Destinations Sydney, Bondi Beach, Blue Mountains, Uluru, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Kuranda, Melbourne, Great Ocean Road Operated in Only: German Operator Gebeco From
10% Off- US$8,695
Sydney, Alice Springs, Uluru & Cairns Tour
5 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Really great trip with nice hotels and very good flights.”
Hilary, traveled in February
Opera House tours in Sydney open this 3200km Australian adventure. Flights connect to Red Centre and Cairns, with stops at Blue Mountains, Uluru, and Great Barrier Reef before returning to Sydney.
Duration 10 days Destinations Sydney, Blue Mountains, Alice Springs, Uluru, Cairns, Cape Tribulation, Daintree National Park, Great Barrier Reef Age Range 8 to 85 year olds Operator Australia and New Zealand Travel Company From
10% Off- US$3,150
What people love about Great Barrier Reef Tours from Sydney
- Oz East Coast + Work 28 days
This tour included all the main attractions that backpackers would want to experience when on the east coast! From surfing to skydiving, australia zoo to the whitsundays. It was fast paced and exciting, always on the move. Good lively accommodation.
- Sydney, Alice Springs, Uluru & Cairns Tour
Really great trip with nice hotels and very good flights.
- East Coast Explorer: 5 Week | ULTIMATE
The tour was great and well planned, the activities included were all fun and I loved the tour guide.
What our customers ask about Great Barrier Reef Tours from Sydney
What's the best time of year to start a Sydney to Great Barrier Reef tour?
Spring (September through November) and autumn (March through May) provide ideal conditions for exploring the Sydney to Great Barrier Reef route with mild temperatures and less rainfall. The summer months bring heat and humidity particularly in the northern regions while winter offers pleasant conditions in Sydney but cooler temperatures in the Blue Mountains. A TourRadar traveler noted: "We went in October and had perfect weather throughout - warm enough to enjoy the beaches but not too hot for sightseeing."
What's the typical duration of tours from Sydney to the Great Barrier Reef?
Most journeys span 10 to 16 days with 12-14 day itineraries being standard. The Costsaver "Bucket List Australia" covers the route in 10 days while Contiki's "Best of Australia" takes 12 days. Both tours feature stays at established properties like Holiday Inn Sydney Potts Point and Pacific Hotel Cairns. According to a TourRadar traveler: "The actual tours were great perfect amount of time to see everything from Sydney to the reef."
What accommodation can I expect on Sydney to Great Barrier Reef tours?
Accommodations range from 3-4 star hotels to beachfront resorts. Key properties include the Ace Hotel Sydney and Holiday Inn Potts Point in the city Paradise Links Resort in Port Douglas and Flynn Hotel in Cairns. A past guest shared: "The accommodation was consistently good quality - loved the Ace Hotel in Sydney with its amazing art collection and city views."
What are the must-see attractions during the first days starting in Sydney?
The first days focus on Sydney's essential landmarks including the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Day three typically features the Blue Mountains National Park where guides receive consistent praise from visitors. The itinerary includes encounters with native wildlife at Featherdale Wildlife Park and views from Mrs Macquarie's Chair. Hotels like Novotel Central Sydney and ibis Sydney World Square place travelers near key areas including Bondi Beach and The Rocks district.
What's included in terms of meals on these tours?
Tour packages generally cover daily hotel breakfasts and select main meals. Intrepid Travel provides 8 breakfasts 2 lunches and 5 dinners while Costsaver includes 9 breakfasts and specialty dining experiences. Guest feedback highlights the quality: "The included meals were excellent especially the seafood lunch during our Great Barrier Reef excursion."
How do tours handle transportation between Sydney and the Great Barrier Reef?
Transportation combines domestic flights from Sydney to northern hubs like Cairns or Port Douglas with coach travel between local attractions. Major operators including Costsaver and Intrepid Travel arrange all flights and provide WiFi-equipped coaches. Hotels such as DoubleTree Cairns serve as comfortable bases between journeys. A traveler confirmed: "The transportation was well organized with comfortable domestic flights and buses."