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How to get fromAirlie Beach to Great Barrier Reefby plane, ferry, bus, train, or car

Find Transport to Great Barrier Reef

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There are 6 ways to get from Airlie Beach to Great Barrier Reef by plane, ferry, bus, train, or car

Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.

  1. Fly from Whitsunday Coast Airport, ferry

    best
    1. Fly from Whitsunday Coast Airport (PPP) to Cairns (CNS)plane plane PPP - CNS
    2. Take the ferry from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal to Great Barrier Reef Green Islandferry ferry
    6h 44m
    $439–1,164

  2. Train, ferry

    cheapest
    1. Take the train from Proserpine to Cairns Central Stationtrain train Spirit of Queensland
    2. Take the ferry from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal to Great Barrier Reef Green Islandferry ferry
    13h 33m
    $195–2,328

  3. Bus, ferry

    1. Take the bus from Airlie Beach to Cairnsbus bus Au050 / ...
    2. Take the ferry from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal to Great Barrier Reef Green Islandferry ferry
    11h 55m
    $198–249

  4. Bus to Mackay, fly, ferry

    1. Take the bus from Airlie Beach to Mackaybus bus
    2. Fly from Mackay (MKY) to Cairns (CNS)plane plane MKY - CNS
    3. Take the ferry from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal to Great Barrier Reef Green Islandferry ferry
    11h 9m
    $392–720

  5. Drive to Moranbah Airport, fly, ferry

    1. Drive from Airlie Beach to Moranbah Airport (MOV)car car
    2. Fly from Moranbah Airport (MOV) to Cairns (CNS)plane plane MOV - CNS
    3. Take the ferry from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal to Great Barrier Reef Green Islandferry ferry
    8h 52m
    $617–1,490

  6. Bus, ferry via Airlie Beach

    1. Take the bus from Airlie Beach to Cairnsbus bus Cairns
    2. Take the ferry from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal to Great Barrier Reef Green Islandferry ferry
    12h 17m
    $217–332

Airlie Beach to Great Barrier Reef by bus, foot, and ferry

Calendar7Weekly Services
Duration12h 17mAverage Duration
Ticket$217Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Airlie Beach to Great Barrier Reef.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 574.5 km
  • Duration: 6h 44m

What companies run services between Airlie Beach, QLD, Australia and Great Barrier Reef, QLD, Australia?

There is no direct connection from Airlie Beach to Great Barrier Reef. However, you can take the line 860 bus to Renwick Rd at Stanbury Street hail 'n' ride, take the taxi to Whitsunday Coast Airport (PPP) airport, fly to Cairns (CNS), walk to Cairns Airport, take the shuttle to Cairns Base Hospital, walk to Cairns Hospital, take the line 110 bus to Cairns City bus station, platform 1, walk to Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal, take the ferry to Great Barrier Reef Green Island, then walk to Great Barrier Reef. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Airlie Beach to Great Barrier Reef via Cairns, Florence Street at Sheridan Street, Cairns City bus station, platform 1, Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal, and Great Barrier Reef Green Island in around 11h 55m.

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