Great Barrier Reef Tours from Melbourne
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- 19 verified reviews from TourRadar travelers
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10 best Great Barrier Reef tours from Melbourne
Compiled by
MelissaMelbourne travel expert at TourRadar
- 10-Day Australia Starter Package - Private
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10-Day Australia Starter Package - Private
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Hotel locations was perfect near city center, hotel is clean and perfect.”
Lilbeth, traveled in June
Your tour opens at Melbourne International Airport with visits to Federation Square and Queen Victoria Market, continues to Sydney's harbor district, and culminates in Cairns near the Great Barrier Reef, featuring Queensland's tropical north reef access points.
Duration 10 days Destinations Melbourne, Sydney, Cairns Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Vio Travel From $2,563
20% Off- NZ$2,051You save $513
Duration 14 days Destinations Melbourne, Cairns, Gold Coast, Sydney Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Vio Travel From $3,896
5% Off- NZ$3,701You save $195
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 All Ages Welcome Operator Trafalgar From
5% Off- NZ$10,240+$2,970 upfront costs
Duration 50 days Destinations Melbourne, Sydney, Bondi Beach, Byron Bay, Surfers Paradise, Brisbane, Noosa, Rainbow Beach, Fraser Island, Airlie BeachSee all destinations Age Range Ages 18-35 Operator Ultimate Travel From $8,994
10% Off- NZ$8,095You save $899
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 All Ages Welcome Operator AAT Kings From $6,440
15% Off- NZ$5,474+$1,705 upfront costsYou save $966
Duration 13 days Destinations Melbourne, Phillip Island, Great Ocean Road, Bondi, Blue Mountains, Sydney Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator AAT Kings From $10,105
10% Off- NZ$9,095+$2,905 upfront costsYou save $1,010
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 Ages 8+ Operator Bucket List Group Travel LLC From
10% Off- NZ$8,901
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 All Ages Welcome Operator Trafalgar From $11,020
15% Off- NZ$9,367+$3,345 upfront costsYou save $1,653
Duration 22 days Destinations Melbourne, Phillip Island, Great Ocean Road, Uluru, Cairns, Kuranda, Great Barrier Reef, Sydney, Bondi, Blue MountainsSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator AAT Kings From
15% Off- NZ$17,335+$10,170 upfront costs
Duration 15 days Destinations Melbourne, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Sydney, Queenstown, Auckland, Rotorua Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator AAT Kings From
15% Off- NZ$11,220+$3,495 upfront costs
What people love about Great Barrier Reef Tours from Melbourne
- Australian Highlights
Amazing experience in New Zealand, Australia and Fiji. It was our first tour and Trafalgar exceeded our expectations!
Nellie was an amazing tour guide and I had the best time ever! Great trip! The only thing I would Recommend is booking restaurants with more of a vegetarian variety but everything was great! My favourite part was swimming the Great Barrier Reef I was nervous but Nellie took me out and showed me and stayed with me until I was comfortable! Thank you for such a great experience!
Contrasts of Australia
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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