How to Get to Great Barrier Reef
Airports, onward transport, and entry requirements for Great Barrier Reef, Australia.
Getting There
Nearest Airport: Cairns (CNS) for northern reef; Whitsunday Coast (PPP) or Hamilton Island (HTI) for Whitsundays
Flight Hubs: Cairns: direct from Sydney (3h), Melbourne (3.5h), Brisbane (2h), Singapore (7h). Whitsunday Coast: direct from Sydney and Melbourne.
Local Transport: Day trip boats from Cairns or Port Douglas marinas. Liveaboards depart Cairns. Ferry and water taxi between Whitsunday Islands.
Visa: European passports: free eVisitor (651); US, Canada, Japan and others: ETA (601, ~AUD 20 service charge). Both are electronic, linked to your passport, up to 3 months per entry.