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

Find Transport to Great Barrier Reef

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There are 4 ways to get from Magnetic 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

    best
    1. Take the ferry from Nelly Bay Ferry Terminal to Breakwater Ferry Terminalferry ferry 1F
    2. Take the bus from Townsville to Cairnsbus bus
    3. Take the ferry from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal to Great Barrier Reef Green Islandferry ferry
    9h 12m
    $177–437

  2. Ferry, train

    cheapest
    1. Take the ferry from Nelly Bay Ferry Terminal to Breakwater Ferry Terminalferry ferry 1F
    2. Take the train from Townsville to Cairns Central Stationtrain train
    3. Take the ferry from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal to Great Barrier Reef Green Islandferry ferry
    10h 21m
    $159–1,609

  3. Ferry, fly

    1. Take the ferry from Nelly Bay Ferry Terminal to Breakwater Ferry Terminalferry ferry
    2. Fly from Townsville Airport (TSV) to Cairns (CNS)plane plane TSV - CNS
    3. Take the ferry from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal to Great Barrier Reef Green Islandferry ferry
    6h 26m
    $304–669

  4. Ferry, bus via Cairns Central Shopping Centre

    1. Take the ferry from Nelly Bay Ferry Terminal to Breakwater Ferry Terminalferry ferry 1F
    2. Take the bus from Townsville to Cairns Central Stationbus bus
    3. Take the ferry from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal to Great Barrier Reef Green Islandferry ferry
    9h 17m
    $163–383

Magnetic Island to Great Barrier Reef by ferry, bus, and foot

Calendar14Weekly Services
Duration9h 12mAverage Duration
Ticket$177Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Magnetic Island to Great Barrier Reef.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 415 km
  • Duration: 9h 12m

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

There is no direct connection from Magnetic Island to Great Barrier Reef. However, you can take the ferry to Breakwater Ferry Terminal, walk to Townsville, take the bus to Cairns, 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 Nelly Bay Ferry Terminal to Great Barrier Reef via Breakwater Ferry Terminal, Breakwater Terminal, Flinders St at Townsville station, Townsville, 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 10h 21m.

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