Travel to Great Barrier Reef

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
Palm Cove showing a beach, a garden and tropical scenes

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.

Find hotels in Palm Cove

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

  • Take advantage of package deals on Expedia and combine flights, hotels, or car rentals for a convenient and cost-effective trip to Great Barrier Reef.
  • 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

Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas

Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas

5 out of 5
Port Douglas Road Port Douglas QLD
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is RM967 per night from 8 Feb to 9 Feb
RM967
RM1,064 total
8 Feb - 9 Feb
includes taxes & fees
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,002 reviews)
Clean and spacious room. Great pools. Fantastic breakfast buffet. Friendly staff.

Reviewed on 4 Feb 2026

Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas
Airlie Beach Hotel

Airlie Beach Hotel

3.5 out of 5
Corner The Esplanade and Coconut Grove Airlie Beach QLD
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is RM519 per night from 19 Feb to 20 Feb
RM519
RM570 total
19 Feb - 20 Feb
includes taxes & fees
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,003 reviews)
Huge rooms, very clean and comfortable with an espresso coffee machine! Great location, great amenities, no downside.

Reviewed on 1 Feb 2026

Airlie Beach Hotel
Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns

Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns

5 out of 5
Pierpoint Road Cairns QLD
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is RM538 per night from 9 Mar to 10 Mar
RM538
RM592 total
9 Mar - 10 Mar
includes taxes & fees
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,004 reviews)
Great spacious room with all the amenities needed. Easy check in and special Thank you to Niklas for assisting with our bags and car, a nice warm welcome. Will definitely stay again when next in Cairns.

Reviewed on 4 Feb 2026

Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns
See all 5,012 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

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

Whitehaven Beach

5/5(37 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.

Whitehaven Beach
Hamilton Island Marina showing a bay or harbor, boating and landscape views

Hamilton Island Marina

4.5/5(20 reviews)

Cruise in for a visit or begin your boating adventure in the Great Barrier Reef from this world-class marina and make use of its fantastic facilities and great dining.

Hamilton Island Marina
One of best things to do in Cairns is ride the Kuranda Scenic Railway. It's a 90 minute journey that takes you down the mountain to Cairns passing waterfalls, scenic lookouts and over old bridges. Catch the Skyrail up the mountain from Cairns and then catch the train back down. Or, vice versa.

Cairns Central Shopping Centre

4/5(37 reviews)

During your visit to Tropical North Waterfront, you can do some window-shopping at Cairns Central Shopping Centre. Discover the spectacular coral reefs in this walkable area or enjoy its local tours.

Cairns Central Shopping Centre

What to do in Great Barrier Reef

Great Barrier Reef Day Cruise to Reefworld

Great Barrier Reef Adventure to Reefworld

RM513
per traveller
92% of travellers recommend
Great Barrier Reef Adventure to Reefworld
Whitehaven Beach Half-Day Cruise

Whitehaven Beach Half-Day Cruise

RM428
per adult
90% of travellers recommend
Whitehaven Beach Half-Day Cruise
Whitehaven Beach Tour: 2 Options - All Day Beach Or Snorkel

Whitehaven Beach Tour: 2 Options - All Day Beach Or Snorkel

RM633
per adult
94% of travellers recommend
Whitehaven Beach Tour: 2 Options - All Day Beach Or Snorkel
See all activities in Great Barrier Reef

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