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How to get fromAuckland to Great Barrier Reefby plane, ferry, or bus

Find Transport to Great Barrier Reef

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There are 2 ways to get from Auckland to Great Barrier Reef by plane, ferry, or bus

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 Auckland, ferry

    best
    1. Fly from Auckland (AKL) to Cairns (CNS)plane plane AKL - CNS
    2. Take the ferry from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal to Great Barrier Reef Green Islandferry ferry
    11h 57m
    $490–1,024

  2. Bus to Whangarei Airport, fly, ferry

    cheapest
    1. Take the bus from Auckland - Central to Whangareibus bus
    2. Fly from Whangarei Airport (WRE) to Cairns (CNS)plane plane WRE - CNS
    3. Take the ferry from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal to Great Barrier Reef Green Islandferry ferry
    18h 9m
    $379–1,157

Auckland (AKL) to Cairns (CNS) flights

Calendar34Weekly Planes
Duration7h 53mAverage Duration
Ticket$204Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Auckland to Great Barrier Reef.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 3,685.6 km
  • Duration: 11h 57m

What companies run services between Auckland, New Zealand and Great Barrier Reef, QLD, Australia?

There is no direct connection from Auckland to Great Barrier Reef. However, you can take the train to Puhinui Train Station 2, walk to Stop A Puhinui, take the bus to Stop A International Airport, walk to Auckland (AKL) 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 the bus to Whangarei, walk to Rose St Bus Depo, take the bus to Whangarei Airport, walk to Whangarei Airport (WRE) 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.

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