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How to get fromBrisbane to Great Barrier Reefby plane, ferry, train, or bus

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There are 5 ways to get from Brisbane to Great Barrier Reef by plane, ferry, train, 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 Brisbane Airport, ferry

    best
    1. Fly from Brisbane Airport (BNE) to Cairns (CNS)plane plane BNE - CNS
    2. Take the ferry from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal to Great Barrier Reef Green Islandferry ferry
    7h 14m
    $251–787

  2. Train to Gold Coast Airport, fly, ferry

    cheapest
    1. Take the train from South Brisbane station, platform 1 to Varsity Lakes station, platform 2train train
    2. Fly from Gold Coast Airport (OOL) to Cairns (CNS)plane plane OOL - CNS
    3. Take the ferry from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal to Great Barrier Reef Green Islandferry ferry
    9h 9m
    $244–764

  3. Train, ferry

    1. Take the train from Roma Street to Cairns Central Stationtrain train Spirit of Queensland
    2. Take the ferry from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal to Great Barrier Reef Green Islandferry ferry
    27h 32m
    $287–6,284

  4. Bus, ferry via Cairns

    1. Take the bus from Brisbane Coach Terminal to Cairnsbus bus Au050 / ...
    2. Take the ferry from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal to Great Barrier Reef Green Islandferry ferry
    30h 52m
    $380–550

  5. Bus, ferry

    1. Take the bus from Brisbane to Cairnsbus bus Cairns
    2. Take the ferry from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal to Great Barrier Reef Green Islandferry ferry
    32h 7m
    $394–751

Brisbane to Great Barrier Reef by train, bus, foot, and ferry

Calendar4Weekly Services
Duration27h 32mAverage Duration
Ticket$287Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Brisbane to Great Barrier Reef.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 1,442.4 km
  • Duration: 7h 14m

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

There is no direct connection from Brisbane to Great Barrier Reef. However, you can take the train to International Airport Station, walk to Brisbane-Airport-BNE 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 train from Roma Street to Great Barrier Reef via Cairns Central Station, Cairns Central Shopping Centre, Cairns City bus station, platform 2, Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal, and Great Barrier Reef Green Island in around 27h 32m.

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