Great Barrier Reef Holidays

The largest coral reef on earth, the Great Barrier Reef is comprised of hundreds of tropical islands and 3,000 individual reef systems. Teeming with colourful fish and larger marine life, this incredible ecosystem is a nature lovers paradise, but at 1,400 miles long – how do you choose where to experience this great wonder?

Split geographically into the Northern Great Barrier Reef, the central Whitsunday Islands and the Southern Great Barrier Reef, each area offers a unique experience. Easy access from Cairns and the beachside towns of Tropical North Queensland make the Northern Great Barrier Reef a popular choice, while the Southern Great Barrier Reef is favoured for its close up marine encounters and crystal clear waters. Famed for their beauty, the Whitsunday Islands are home to Heart Reef, Hamilton Island and one of the most spectacular stretches of sand in Australia, Whitehaven Beach.

Visitors can experience the beauty for these regions on a day trip or can stay overnight to explore at a more leisurely pace. Day trips are convenient and plentiful with boats either visiting the shallower ‘inner fringing reefs’ which surround the islands close to the mainland, or the deeper open water of the ‘outer reef’. Overnight stays can be on a tropical island resort, a comfortable sailing boat or a unique floating pontoon.

Trailfinders is the UK's No.1 Leisure Tour Operator to Australia*

and one in six of all visitors from the UK travel with us! Almost all of our travel consultants have travelled extensively and can help you map out your route, book your flights to Australia and guide you on the best time to visit.

* by volume of clients to Australia as confirmed by the national tourist board, Tourism Australia, in August 2026.