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

Find Transport to Great Barrier Reef

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There are 4 ways to get from Sydney to Great Barrier Reef by plane, ferry, bus, 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, ferry

    best
    1. Fly from Sydney International Airport (SYD) to Cairns (CNS)plane plane SYD - CNS
    2. Take the ferry from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal to Great Barrier Reef Green Islandferry ferry
    8h 1m
    $261–685

  2. Bus, ferry via Brisbane

    1. Take the bus from Central Station to Brisbanebus bus
    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
    46h 10m
    $532–1,063

  3. Train, bus, ferry

    1. Take the train from Central Station to Roma Street Stationtrain train 31
    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
    47h 13m
    $462–1,011

  4. Bus, ferry

    1. Take the bus from Sydney Central Station 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
    2d 1h
    $510–777

Sydney to Great Barrier Reef by bus, foot, and ferry

Calendar7Weekly Services
Duration46h 10mAverage Duration
Ticket$532Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Sydney to Great Barrier Reef.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 2,019.6 km
  • Duration: 8h 1m

What companies run services between Sydney, NSW, Australia and Great Barrier Reef, QLD, Australia?

There is no direct connection from Sydney to Great Barrier Reef. However, you can take the train to International Airport Station, walk to Sydney International Airport (SYD) 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 Central Station to Great Barrier Reef via Brisbane, King George Square, 1c, Roma Street busway, platform 1, Brisbane, Cairns, Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal, and Great Barrier Reef Green Island in around 46h 10m.

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