Great Barrier Reef Tours from Melbourne
4.6 stars on(8,506 reviews)- Choose from 14 Melbourne tours
- 50+ verified reviews from TourRadar travelers
- 24/7 customer support
10 best Great Barrier Reef tours from Melbourne
Compiled by
MelissaMelbourne travel expert at TourRadar
- Australian Highlights
- East Coast Australia: 7 Week | ULTIMATE
- Australian Highlights (With Internal Air, 2025/2026)
- AUSTRALIA – 12 Days Melbourne Uluru Cairns Sydney
- Contrasts of Australia (With Internal Air)
- Australia and New Zealand Panorama
- Australia and New Zealand Panorama (With Internal Air, 2025/2026, 15 Days)
- Australian Highlights (With Internal Air, 2026/2027)
- Highlights of Australia
- Highlights of Australia with Fiji
Australian Highlights
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Accommodations were fantastic. Didn't care much for tour bus, but this is a Trafalgar group tour so it was expected.”
Alodie, traveled in November
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 50 days Destinations Melbourne, Sydney, Bondi Beach, Byron Bay, Surfers Paradise, Brisbane, Noosa, Rainbow Beach, Fraser Island, Airlie BeachSee all destinations Age Range 18 to 35 year olds Operator Ultimate Travel From $8,413
10% Off- NZ$7,571You save $841
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
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
15% Off- NZ$8,240
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
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 $11,515
10% Off- NZ$10,364+$3,345 upfront costsYou save $1,152
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 $11,515
10% Off- NZ$10,364+$3,345 upfront costsYou save $1,151
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
Highlights of Australia
21 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Your was amazing. They were very knowledgeable!”
Kim, 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$6,488+$2,573 upfront costs
Highlights of Australia with Fiji
21 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Our Australian tour was well planned. We had a wonderful adventure.”
Debby, 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$7,364+$3,075 upfront costs
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.
More about Melbourne
Melbourne to Sydney tours