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

Find Transport to Great Barrier Reef

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

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 Canberra International Airport, ferry

    best
    1. Fly from Canberra International Airport (CBR) to Cairns (CNS)plane plane CBR - CNS
    2. Take the ferry from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal to Great Barrier Reef Green Islandferry ferry
    9h 58m
    $386–1,118

  2. Bus to Sydney International Airport, fly, ferry

    cheapest
    1. Take the bus from Canberra to Sydney International Airportbus bus
    2. Fly from Sydney International Airport (SYD) to Cairns (CNS)plane plane SYD - CNS
    3. Take the ferry from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal to Great Barrier Reef Green Islandferry ferry
    10h 45m
    $282–727

  3. Bus, ferry

    1. Take the bus from Canberra to Sydney Central Stationbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Central Station to Brisbanebus bus
    3. Take the bus from Brisbane to Cairnsbus bus
    4. Take the ferry from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal to Great Barrier Reef Green Islandferry ferry
    2d 2h
    $563–1,129

  4. Drive to Orange Airport, fly, ferry

    1. Drive from Canberra to Orange-Airport-OAGcar car
    2. Fly from Orange Airport (OAG) to Cairns (CNS)plane plane OAG - CNS
    3. Take the ferry from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal to Great Barrier Reef Green Islandferry ferry
    11h 45m
    $589–1,029

  5. Bus, train, ferry

    1. Take the bus from Canberra to Sydney Central Stationbus bus
    2. Take the train from Central Station to Roma Street Stationtrain train 31
    3. Take the bus from Brisbane to Cairnsbus bus
    4. Take the ferry from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal to Great Barrier Reef Green Islandferry ferry
    2d 3h
    $502–1,078

  6. Bus, ferry via Sydney

    1. Take the bus from Canberra to Sydney Central Stationbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Chatswood to Brisbanebus bus
    3. Take the bus from Brisbane to Cairnsbus bus
    4. Take the ferry from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal to Great Barrier Reef Green Islandferry ferry
    2d 6h
    $555–1,016

Canberra International Airport (CBR) to Cairns (CNS) flights

Calendar75Weekly Planes
Duration5h 55mAverage Duration
Ticket$245Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Canberra to Great Barrier Reef.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 2,122.2 km
  • Duration: 9h 58m

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

There is no direct connection from Canberra to Great Barrier Reef. However, you can take the line 3 bus to Canberra Airport, walk to Canberra International Airport (CBR) 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 Canberra to Great Barrier Reef via Sydney Central Station, Central Station, Brisbane, King George Square, 1c, Roma Street busway, platform 1, Brisbane, Cairns, Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal, and Great Barrier Reef Green Island in around 2d 2h.

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