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How to get fromGreat Barrier Reef to Airlie Beachby ferry, plane, bus, train, or car

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There are 6 ways to get from Great Barrier Reef to Airlie Beach by ferry, plane, 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. Ferry, fly to Whitsunday Coast Airport

    best
    1. Take the ferry from Great Barrier Reef Green Island to Cairns Reef Fleet Terminalferry ferry
    2. Fly from Cairns (CNS) to Whitsunday Coast Airport (PPP)plane plane CNS - PPP
    6h 38m
    $446–1,169

  2. Ferry, train

    cheapest
    1. Take the ferry from Great Barrier Reef Green Island to Cairns Reef Fleet Terminalferry ferry
    2. Take the train from Cairns Central Station to Proserpinetrain train Spirit of Queensland
    13h 22m
    $186–2,319

  3. Ferry, bus

    1. Take the ferry from Great Barrier Reef Green Island to Cairns Reef Fleet Terminalferry ferry
    2. Take the bus from Cairns to Airlie Beachbus bus Au050 / ...
    11h 54m
    $193–253

  4. Ferry, fly to Mackay, bus

    1. Take the ferry from Great Barrier Reef Green Island to Cairns Reef Fleet Terminalferry ferry
    2. Fly from Cairns (CNS) to Mackay (MKY)plane plane CNS - MKY
    3. Take the bus from Mackay to Airlie Beachbus bus
    10h 53m
    $392–723

  5. Ferry, fly to Moranbah Airport, drive

    1. Take the ferry from Great Barrier Reef Green Island to Cairns Reef Fleet Terminalferry ferry
    2. Fly from Cairns (CNS) to Moranbah Airport (MOV)plane plane CNS - MOV
    3. Drive from Moranbah Airport (MOV) to Airlie Beachcar car
    8h 47m
    $713–1,793

  6. Ferry, bus via Airlie Beach

    1. Take the ferry from Great Barrier Reef Green Island to Cairns Reef Fleet Terminalferry ferry
    2. Take the bus from Cairns to Airlie Beachbus bus Brisbane
    12h 37m
    $212–342

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

Calendar4Weekly Services
Duration13h 22mAverage Duration
Ticket$186Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Great Barrier Reef to Airlie Beach.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 574.5 km
  • Duration: 6h 38m

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

There is no direct connection from Great Barrier Reef to Airlie Beach. However, you can walk to Great Barrier Reef Green Island, take the ferry to Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal, walk to Cairns City bus station, platform 2, take the line 111 bus to Cairns Hospital, walk to Cairns Base Hospital, take the shuttle to Cairns Airport, walk to Cairns (CNS) airport, fly to Whitsunday Coast Airport (PPP), take the taxi to Proserpine, Mill Street, then take the bus to Airlie Beach Central. Alternatively, you can take a vehicle from Great Barrier Reef to Airlie Beach via Great Barrier Reef Green Island, Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal, Cairns City bus station, platform 2, Florence Street at Sheridan Street, and Cairns in around 11h 54m.

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