Rome2Rio

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

Find Transport to Great Barrier Reef

See all options

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

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, bus via Shute Harbour Marine Terminal

    best
    1. Take the ferry from Hamilton Island Marina to Shute Harbourferry ferry
    2. Take the bus from Airlie Beach to Cairnsbus bus
    3. Take the ferry from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal to Great Barrier Reef Green Islandferry ferry
    13h 52m
    $255–354

  2. Ferry, bus, train

    cheapest
    1. Take the ferry from Hamilton Island Marina to Shute Harbourferry ferry
    2. Take the bus from Shute Harbour Marine Terminal to Proserpine, Mill Streetbus bus 860
    3. Take the train from Proserpine to Cairns Central Stationtrain train
    4. Take the ferry from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal to Great Barrier Reef Green Islandferry ferry
    15h 42m
    $240–2,404

  3. Fly from Great Barrier Reef Airport, ferry

    1. Fly from Great Barrier Reef Airport (HTI) to Cairns (CNS)plane plane HTI - CNS
    2. Take the ferry from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal to Great Barrier Reef Green Islandferry ferry
    9h 38m
    $562–1,132

  4. Ferry, bus

    1. Take the ferry from Hamilton Island Marina to Port of Airlieferry ferry
    2. Take the bus from Airlie Beach to Cairnsbus bus
    3. Take the ferry from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal to Great Barrier Reef Green Islandferry ferry
    14h 42m
    $318–502

  5. Ferry, ferry to Whitsunday Coast Airport, fly

    1. Take the ferry from Hamilton Island Marina to Shute Harbourferry ferry
    2. Take the ferry from Shute Harbour to Palm Bayferry ferry
    3. Fly from Whitsunday Coast Airport (PPP) to Cairns (CNS)plane plane PPP - CNS
    4. Take the ferry from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal to Great Barrier Reef Green Islandferry ferry
    9h 58m
    $530–1,414

  6. Ferry, bus to Mackay, fly

    1. Take the ferry from Hamilton Island Marina to Port of Airlieferry ferry
    2. Take the bus from Airlie Beach to Mackaybus bus
    3. Fly from Mackay (MKY) to Cairns (CNS)plane plane MKY - CNS
    4. Take the ferry from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal to Great Barrier Reef Green Islandferry ferry
    13h 14m
    $508–893

Hamilton Island to Great Barrier Reef by ferry, bus, foot, and train

Calendar4Weekly Services
Duration15h 42mAverage Duration
Ticket$240Cheapest Price
See schedules

Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Hamilton Island to Great Barrier Reef.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 702.3 km
  • Duration: 13h 52m

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

There is no direct connection from Hamilton Island to Great Barrier Reef. However, you can take the ferry to Shute Harbour, walk to Shute Harbour Marine Terminal, take the line 860 bus to Airlie Beach Central, walk to Airlie Beach, take the bus to Cairns, walk to Florence Street at Sheridan Street, take the line 143 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 ferry from Hamilton Island Marina to Great Barrier Reef via Shute Harbour, Shute Harbour Marine Terminal, Proserpine, Mill Street, Proserpine, 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 15h 42m.

Airlines
Train operators
Bus operators
Ferry operators

Want to know more about travelling around Australia

Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.

Related travel guides