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How to get fromTownsville 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 Townsville 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 Townsville Airport (TSV) to Cairns (CNS)plane plane TSV - CNS
    2. Take the ferry from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal to Great Barrier Reef Green Islandferry ferry
    4h 31m
    $305–474

  2. Train, ferry

    cheapest
    1. Take the train from Townsville to Cairns Central Stationtrain train Spirit of Queensland
    2. Take the ferry from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal to Great Barrier Reef Green Islandferry ferry
    8h 39m
    $159–1,380

  3. Bus, ferry

    1. Take the bus from Townsville to Cairnsbus bus Au050 / ...
    2. Take the ferry from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal to Great Barrier Reef Green Islandferry ferry
    7h 44m
    $161–190

  4. Bus, ferry via Townsville

    1. Take the bus from Townsville to Cairnsbus bus Cairns
    2. Take the ferry from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal to Great Barrier Reef Green Islandferry ferry
    7h 47m
    $178–241

Townsville to Great Barrier Reef by train, bus, foot, and ferry

Calendar4Weekly Services
Duration8h 39mAverage Duration
Ticket$159Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Townsville to Great Barrier Reef.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 321 km
  • Duration: 4h 31m

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

There is no direct connection from Townsville to Great Barrier Reef. However, you can 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 Townsville to Great Barrier Reef via Cairns, Florence Street at Sheridan Street, Cairns City bus station, platform 1, Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal, and Great Barrier Reef Green Island in around 7h 44m.

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