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 RM928 per night from 19 Feb to 20 Feb
RM928
RM1,021 total
19 Feb - 20 Feb
includes taxes & fees
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,003 reviews)
Clean and spacious room. Great pools. Fantastic breakfast buffet. Friendly staff.

Reviewed on 4 Feb 2026

Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cairns

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cairns

4.5 out of 5
121-123 The Esplanade & Florence St Cairns QLD
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is RM449 per night from 1 Mar to 2 Mar
RM449
RM494 total
1 Mar - 2 Mar
includes taxes & fees
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,005 reviews)
The room was extremely clean and fresh. The staff were exceptionally helpful and pleasant. The buffet breakfast offered me what I needed with vegan, gluten-free options and the food was thoroughly delightful. I highly recommend this hotel for your Cairns stays.

Reviewed on 6 Feb 2026

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cairns
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 RM518 per night from 17 Feb to 18 Feb
RM518
RM570 total
17 Feb - 18 Feb
includes taxes & fees
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,002 reviews)
The staff were awesome. Reception went above and beyond to locate our lost bags. Room service were so accommodating, and both restaurant and bar staff great. Loved our 11 night stay. Total relaxation, great place to reset.

Reviewed on 7 Feb 2026

Airlie Beach Hotel
See all 4,988 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

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
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

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 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
Whitehaven Beach Half-Day Cruise

Whitehaven Beach Half-Day Cruise

RM428
per adult
90% of travellers recommend
Whitehaven Beach Half-Day Cruise
See all activities in Great Barrier Reef

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