Great Barrier Reef

Travel Guide

Great Barrier Reef
Great Barrier Reef
Great Barrier Reef
Great Barrier Reef
Great Barrier Reef

The largest coral reef in the world lies just off the coast of Cairns and offers thousands of kilometres of coral, marine life and untouched white sand beaches.

Where to stay in Great Barrier Reef

Palm Cove

Palm Cove

Palm Cove is known for its stunning beaches, and you can see some sights in the area like Palm Cove Beach and Vie Spa Palm Cove.

Palm Cove
Cairns Central Business District

Cairns Central Business District

4.5/5(73 area reviews)

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

Cairns Central Business District
Trinity Beach

Trinity Beach

Travelers to Trinity Beach praise its stunning beaches. If you've got some more time to explore, be sure to make a stop by Trinity Beach and Kewarra Beach.

Trinity Beach
The Cairns Lagoon at sunrise in Tropical North Queensland

Cairns North

Beaches and abundant dining options are well-reviewed features of Cairns North. Make a stop by top sights like Cairns Esplanade Charles Street Parkland while you're exploring the area.

Cairns North
North Ward

North Ward

North Ward is known for its pristine beaches, and you can make a stop by Strand Waterpark and The Strand Beach while in the area.

North Ward
Yorkeys Knob

Yorkeys Knob

Yorkeys Knob is noteworthy for its beaches, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Yorkeys Knob Beach and Half Moon Bay Golf Course.

Yorkeys Knob
Hilton Cairns

Hilton Cairns

5 out of 5
34 Esplanade Cairns QLD
The price is CA $182 per night from May 10 to May 11
CA $182
CA $200 total
May 10 - May 11
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this luxury hotel in Cairns. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), room service, and a 24-hour health club. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,000 reviews)
Messaged requesting an early check, didn’t receive a reply or acknowledgement. Very uncomfortable mattress & pillows.

Reviewed on Apr 27, 2026

Hilton Cairns
Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns

Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns

5 out of 5
Pierpoint Road Cairns QLD
The price is CA $196 per night from May 10 to May 11
CA $196
CA $216 total
May 10 - May 11
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this luxury hotel in Cairns. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,000 reviews)
We loved the Shanghai-La! The staff was wonderful, the rooms are clean and large , great location - a few minutes walk to the Esplanade!

Reviewed on Apr 28, 2026

Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns
Airlie Beach Hotel

Airlie Beach Hotel

3.5 out of 5
Corner The Esplanade and Coconut Grove Airlie Beach QLD
The price is CA $155 per night from May 25 to May 26
CA $155
CA $172 total
May 25 - May 26
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this beach hotel in Airlie Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, a beach locale, and an airport shuttle (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,004 reviews)
Staff was great rooms were good

Reviewed on Apr 27, 2026

Airlie Beach Hotel
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.
Whitsunday Apartments

Whitsunday Apartments

4 out of 5
14 Resort Drive Whitsundays QLD
Book a stay at this beach aparthotel in Whitsundays. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,583 reviews)
The view was wonderful and the staff were helpful and friendly. We didn’t use the kitchen much but it was well stocked with essentials for meals, if you choose to eat in. The apartment was a good size but we found the furnishings to be very uncomfortable. Both hubby and I struggled to sleep well, ...

Reviewed on Apr 27, 2026

Whitsunday Apartments
Cairns Coconut Holiday Resort

Cairns Coconut Holiday Resort

3.5 out of 5
23-51 Anderson Road Woree QLD
Book a stay at this family-friendly aparthotel in Cairns. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 3 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (779 reviews)
Great for kids, clean, basic necessities included. Staff very friendly. Overall a great stay. Only downside was wifi wasn’t great and I didn’t have very good phone reception, might have just been our spot in the park.

Reviewed on Apr 16, 2026

Cairns Coconut Holiday Resort
Mirage Whitsundays

Mirage Whitsundays

4 out of 5
11 Altmann Avenue Cannonvale QLD
Book a stay at this beach aparthotel in Cannonvale. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (786 reviews)
Very big room with washing facilities and kitchen was great. The breakfast options are limited and you have to pay for coffee which is a bit of a let down in this day in age. The lagoon pool was enjoyable and the property and room were clean. They dont do a servicing during you stay which was a surprise ...

Reviewed on Apr 22, 2026

Mirage Whitsundays
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