Great Barrier Reef Tours from Melbourne
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10 best Great Barrier Reef tours from Melbourne
Compiled by
MelissaMelbourne travel expert at TourRadar
- AUSTRALIA – 12 Days Melbourne Uluru Cairns Sydney
- Australian Highlights
- Australian Highlights (With Internal Air, 2026/2027)
- Australian Highlights (With Internal Air, 2025/2026)
- Australia and New Zealand Panorama
- Contrasts of Australia (With Internal Air)
- Australia and New Zealand Panorama (With Internal Air, 2025/2026, 15 Days)
- Highlights of Australia
- Highlights of Australia with Fiji
- Australia Highlights
Your Australian adventure starts at Melbourne's Phillip Island, where you'll witness penguin parades and meet koalas. The route takes you to sacred Uluru, then to the Great Barrier Reef region, featuring Daintree Rainforest and premium reef sites across Northern Queensland.
Duration 12 days Destinations Melbourne, Uluru, Cairns, Sydney Age Range 8 to 90 year olds Operator Bucket List Group Travel LLC From
- NZ$8,269
Australian Highlights
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Amazing experience in New Zealand, Australia and Fiji. Trafalgar exceeded our expectations!”
Tina, traveled in February
Journey begins in Melbourne at The General Assembly, traveling through the Red Centre before reaching the Great Barrier Reef. Experience Cairns' tropical atmosphere and reef adventures before concluding the 3,700km journey in Sydney.
Duration 13 days Destinations Melbourne, Uluru, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Sydney Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator Trafalgar From $9,810
10% Off- NZ$8,829+$2,905 upfront costsYou save $981
Duration 13 days Destinations Melbourne, Phillip Island, Great Ocean Road, Sydney, Bondi, Blue Mountains Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator AAT Kings From $10,305
10% Off- NZ$9,275+$4,090 upfront costsYou save $1,030
Duration 13 days Destinations Melbourne, Phillip Island, Great Ocean Road, Bondi, Blue Mountains, Sydney Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator AAT Kings From $9,810
15% Off- NZ$8,339+$2,905 upfront costsYou save $1,471
Begin in Melbourne with city walks exploring Victorian facades, then fly to Cairns for Great Barrier Reef adventures. Journey through rainforest sanctuaries and wildlife experiences before continuing to coastal Sydney and onward to New Zealand.
Duration 15 days Destinations Melbourne, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Sydney, Queenstown, Auckland, Rotorua Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator Trafalgar From $11,260
10% Off- NZ$10,134+$3,345 upfront costsYou save $1,126
Melbourne serves as your starting point before flying to the Great Barrier Reef region via Cairns. A reef cruise from Cairns offers snorkeling or semi-submersible options, with internal flights and private transfers between destinations.
Duration 9 days Destinations Melbourne, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Sydney Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator AAT Kings From $7,065
10% Off- NZ$6,359+$1,705 upfront costsYou save $706
Accommodations near Melbourne's Yarra River mark your first stop before flying to Cairns for Hartley's Crocodile Adventures and the Great Barrier Reef. Take the optional Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, followed by dinner at Ochre Restaurant featuring Australian cuisine.
Duration 15 days Destinations Melbourne, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Sydney, Queenstown, Auckland, Rotorua Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator AAT Kings From $11,260
10% Off- NZ$10,134+$3,345 upfront costsYou save $1,126
Highlights of Australia
21 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“We learned so much about Australia too; while having a good time.”
Amy, traveled in February
The route stretches from Melbourne's Flinders St Station through Alice Springs to the Great Barrier Reef, spanning 2,000 coastal miles. Cairns' tropical atmosphere leads to final reef experiences and eco-adventures.
Duration 12 days Destinations Melbourne, Alice Springs, Uluru, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Sydney Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator Cosmos From
10% Off- NZ$6,511+$2,582 upfront costs
Highlights of Australia with Fiji
21 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The tour included a wide variety of sites and excellent commentary on the sites and cities/areas visited.”
Helen, traveled in March
The tour launches from Melbourne's Flinders St. Station, moving to Cairns Great Barrier Reef region by air. Ride the Kuranda Scenic Railway, join reef cruises from Cairns Marina, and wander through rainforest canopy before leaving from Nadi International Airport.
Duration 15 days Destinations Melbourne, Alice Springs, Uluru, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Sydney, Nadi Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator Cosmos From
10% Off- NZ$7,389+$3,086 upfront costs
Melbourne's cultural heart launches this coastal journey through the Great Barrier Reef region, including Cairns, Kuranda village, and Port Douglas. The ancient Daintree rainforest leads to Michaelmas Cay's coral gardens.
Duration 19 days Destinations Melbourne, Great Ocean Road, Phillip Island, Kuranda, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Cooktown, Port Douglas, Alice Springs, UluruSee all destinations Age Range up to 85 year olds Operated in Only: German Operator SKR Reisen From
10% Off- NZ$20,297Incl: Return flight (Frankfurt Intl Airport)
What our customers ask about Great Barrier Reef Tours from Melbourne
What's the typical length of tours from Melbourne to the Great Barrier Reef?
Most tours from Melbourne to the Great Barrier Reef run between 9 and 15 days. These packages generally start with 2-3 days exploring Melbourne's highlights such as Flinders Street Station before flying north. Previous travelers praise the balanced pace that allows time for both urban discovery and reef experiences. Hotels like the Crowne Plaza Melbourne and Citadines on Bourke serve as convenient starting points in the city center.
What are the main activities included in the first few days starting in Melbourne?
The first days in Melbourne focus on walkable city exploration through historic laneways filled with street art and significant buildings like Federation Square. Groups often begin with a welcome dinner at restaurants such as The General Assembly which sits along South Wharf with river views. Days are spent visiting Queen Victoria Market and the Royal Botanic Gardens while nights are spent at central hotels like the Crowne Plaza Melbourne.
What's the best time of year to start a Great Barrier Reef tour from Melbourne?
October through March brings comfortable temperatures of 20-25°C (68-77°F) to Melbourne. These months align with Queensland's dry season (April-November) when reef visibility peaks. Though tours operate year-round hotel rates at properties like the Crowne Plaza Melbourne and airfares increase during the peak summer season from December through February. Previous travelers recommend October for reliable weather in both destinations.
How do you get from Melbourne to the Great Barrier Reef area?
The journey involves a 3-hour flight from Melbourne to Cairns, usually included in tour packages from companies like AAT Kings and Trafalgar. After landing in Cairns travelers typically check into waterfront properties like the Hilton Cairns or Park Regis City Quays. From there high-speed boats transport groups out to the reef daily.
What are the common gathering points in Melbourne to start these tours?
Tour groups commonly meet at central Melbourne hotels including the Crowne Plaza on the Yarra River Citadines on Bourke or Crown Metropol in Southbank. Welcome briefings take place at these properties followed by group dinners at venues like The General Assembly on South Wharf. The central locations make for easy access from airport transfers.
What's the recommended budget for a Melbourne to Great Barrier Reef tour?
Plan on spending between USD 4000-8000 per person for 9-15 day tours. Premium operators like AAT Kings and Trafalgar average USD 500 daily covering hotels such as Crowne Plaza Melbourne and Park Regis Cairns internal flights most meals and guided activities. While prices reflect the premium experience travelers consistently note the comprehensive inclusions justify the investment.
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