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

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There are 5 ways to get from Gold Coast 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 Gold Coast Airport, ferry

    best
    1. Fly from Gold Coast Airport (OOL) to Cairns (CNS)plane plane OOL - CNS
    2. Take the ferry from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal to Great Barrier Reef Green Islandferry ferry
    7h 58m
    $245–765

  2. Train, ferry

    1. Take the train from Helensvale station, platform 2 to Roma Streettrain train
    2. Take the train from Roma Street to Cairns Central Stationtrain train
    3. Take the ferry from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal to Great Barrier Reef Green Islandferry ferry
    30h 21m
    $285–6,615

  3. Bus, ferry

    1. Take the bus from Surfers Paradise to Brisbanebus bus
    2. Take the bus from Brisbane Coach Terminal to Cairnsbus bus
    3. Take the ferry from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal to Great Barrier Reef Green Islandferry ferry
    33h 5m
    $396–589

  4. Train to Brisbane Airport, fly, ferry

    1. Take the train from Helensvale station, platform 2 to International Airport Stationtrain train
    2. Fly from Brisbane Airport (BNE) to Cairns (CNS)plane plane BNE - CNS
    3. Take the ferry from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal to Great Barrier Reef Green Islandferry ferry
    9h 9m
    $254–792

  5. Train, bus, ferry

    1. Take the train from Helensvale station, platform 2 to Roma Streettrain train
    2. Take the bus from Brisbane to Cairnsbus bus
    3. Take the ferry from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal to Great Barrier Reef Green Islandferry ferry
    34h 55m
    $394–764

Gold Coast to Great Barrier Reef by tram, train, bus, foot, and ferry

Calendar4Weekly Services
Duration30h 21mAverage Duration
Ticket$285Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Gold Coast to Great Barrier Reef.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 1,543 km
  • Duration: 7h 58m

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

There is no direct connection from Gold Coast to Great Barrier Reef. However, you can take the vehicle to Burleigh Heads station, platform 2, walk to Burleigh Heads station, stop B, take the line 777 bus to Gold Coast Airport, walk to Gold Coast Airport (OOL) 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 vehicle from Cypress Avenue station, platform 1 to Great Barrier Reef via Helensvale station, platform 4, Helensvale station, platform 2, Roma Street, 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 30h 21m.

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