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
- Brisbane to Cairns Adventure
- Essential Brisbane to Cairns
- Whitsundays, Reef & Rainforest - 9 days
- Brisbane to Cairns Discovery - 7 days
- Australian Vanlife: East Coast & Sunkissed Wonders (from Brisbane to Great Barrier Reef)
- Essential Australia Private Tour
- North Queensland Adventure (22 destinations)
- Great Sights of Australia with Fiji
- Australia's Culture & Coastlines with Fiji
- Australian Safari with Fiji
Duration 8 days Destinations Brisbane, Noosa, Hervey Bay, Fraser Island, Airlie Beach, Whitsunday Islands, Townsville, Lucinda, Mission Beach, AthertonSee all destinations Age Range Ages 15+ Operator Intrepid Travel From
- NZ$4,160
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 Ages 18-35 Operator Intrepid Travel From $3,760
20% Off- NZ$3,008You save $752
Whitsundays, Reef & Rainforest - 9 days
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“The tour was well organized and we were very informed on the areas visited.”
Shelley, traveled in March
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 Ages 18+ Operator On The Go Tours From $8,075
25% Off- NZ$6,056You save $2,019
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 Ages 18+ Operator On The Go Tours From $5,665
25% Off- NZ$4,249You save $1,416
Duration 15 days Destinations Brisbane, Cairns, Sydney, Noosa, Fraser Island, Lady Elliot Island, Rockhampton, Airlie Beach, Whitsundays, Whitsunday IslandsSee all destinations Age Range Ages 99+ Operator journaway DACH From $2,995
33% Off- NZ$2,015You save $979
Duration 9 days Destinations Brisbane, Cairns, Sydney Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Firebird Tours From
33% Off- NZ$7,916
Duration 13 days Destinations Brisbane, Noosa, Hervey Bay, Fraser Island, Airlie Beach, Whitsunday Islands, Townsville, Lucinda, Mission Beach, TullySee all destinations Age Range Ages 15+ Operator Intrepid Travel From
33% Off- NZ$7,030
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 All Ages Welcome Operator Globus From
33% Off- NZ$9,532+$2,399 upfront costs
Duration 17 days Destinations Brisbane, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney, Nadi Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Globus From
33% Off- NZ$10,802+$2,347 upfront costs
This Brisbane adventure starts with Australia Zoo visit and city tour, followed by flight to Cairns for Great Barrier Reef exploration, staying at Next Hotel Brisbane and Hilton Cairns.
Duration 24 days Destinations Brisbane, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Uluru, Alice Springs, Adelaide, Kangaroo Island, Melbourne, Phillip Island, LauncestonSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Globus From
33% Off- NZ$16,813+$4,105 upfront costs
What people love about Great Barrier Reef Tours from Brisbane
I had the extreme pleasure to be part of the small boutique tour with Via Travel Australia. Jason, our guide, was a balance of fun, knowledge, great activities and suggestions. It was my first tour in over 10 years and if I had known what an amazing job Jason, Tara, and the rest of the crew at Via does each and every day - well I would have been on a tour with them sooner! Through the recent floods, storms and re-routing…..the team had it covered. We felt safe and taken care of. We had a brilliant group of people; it felt like we were all traveling with friends. I cannot recommend the Via team enough, the hotels, activities, options, meals, ability to turn on a dime, and company were all exceptional.
Brisbane to Cairns - 7 Day Boutique Tour
- Oz East Coast Adventure 20 days
Such an amazing experience! Would recommend this tour to anyone wanting to travel the East Coast.
- Brisbane to Cairns Experience: Sand Dunes & the Whitsundays
The tour was great, so much variety each day. At first I was optimistic about going on an organised tour but I'd recommend it to anyone, our CEO took care of everyone and everything. It was great not having to organise or plan anything yourself. The sailing around the Whitsunday islands and sleeping out in swags were my highlights.
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."
More about Brisbane
Brisbane to Cairns tours