Where to stay on the Great Barrier Reef

Prove that good things come in small packages with a stay on one of the smallest islands on the Great Barrier Reef, Green Island. At just 12 hectares, Green Island packs far more than what first meets the eye: world-class snorkelling and scuba diving, serene walking trails through the rainforest, multiple restaurants and endless water activities. While you can day-trip to Green Island from Cairns – it’s just 27km offshore – the eco-resort will extend your time on the Reef, and boasts 46 air-conditioned villas with rainforest or pool views.

Here’s how to have the ultimate Green Island experience.

Fitzroy Island Resort

If you’re looking for where to stay on the Great Barrier Reef islands, be sure to check out Fitzroy Island – which offers both a campground and resort accommodation.

This is a no-stress island escape: just jump on board the Fitzroy Flyer from Cairns and you’ll be immersed in tropical island magic. Whether you spend 48 hours or a whole week here, you’ll never run out of things to do, thanks to sea kayaking, snorkelling, scuba diving (there’s a PADI dive centre on the island) beach combing, boat tours, fish feeding, and a host of free daily activities run by the resort. You can even learn about the island’s marine rescue efforts at the Turtle Rehabilitation Centre. And for the moments when you want to just kick back and soak it all in, you can do so on beautiful Nudey Beach – voted one of Australia’s best beaches.

Thala Beach Nature Reserve, Port Douglas

Why settle for one World Heritage-listed wonder when you can have two? A mainland stay with double the UNESCO-worthy benefits, check into Thala Beach Nature Reserve, nestled between Cairns and Port Douglas.

You’ll have views of both the reef and rainforest from your bungalow, which you’ll find dotted across the property’s 145 acres.

Thala’s location and sensitive design (not to mention the dining options) has afforded this eco-property a membership to the National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World. It’s the perfect spot for a digital detox. When you’re not on the Great Barrier Reef, test out the complimentary in-house activities including nature and wildlife walks, stargazing or a tour of the onsite coconut plantation.

Looking for more accommodation on Great Barrier Reef islands near Cairns?

• Lay in the lap of luxury at Lizard Island or Bedarra Island
• Head to the remote north to Haggerstone Island for total seclusion and privacy
• Get a taste of the tropics with 72 hours in Mission Beach
• Choose eco-friendly accommodation
• Prefer to base yourself on the mainland? Discover our Cairns accommodation guide and where to stay in Port Douglas

Townsville

Aside from over 320 days of sunshine each year, Townsville is home to stunning sections of the Reef which you can explore, island resorts, and the incredible Museum of Underwater Art.

Orpheus Island Lodge

Want an exclusive Great Barrier Reef experience where you can tune out, and tune into your own island? Drop your pin on Orpheus Island Lodge, a 30 minute helicopter journey from Townsville to its blip on the Coral Sea’s map. Here you’ll find 14 rooms and 11km of coastline where you can step straight out of bed and onto a patch of reef you probably won’t have to share.

From incredible fine-dining to sunset cocktails, Orpheus is all-inclusive, down to the dinghies for island exploring.

Magnetic Island

A spot equally loved by families, backpackers and adventurers, Magnetic Island is just 20-minutes by ferry from the city. Accessible, affordable and filled to the brim with natural beauty so pure it’s intoxicating, the island offers so much to see and do, from hiking trails to snorkelling trails, sailing trips to reef excursions, and meeting the locals – which include rock wallabies and koalas.

Where to stay while you’re here? Accommodation runs the gamut from backpacker-friendly hostels to luxury resorts, and everything in between. Favourites include Selina (just a five-minute walk from Horseshoe Bay and with its own wildlife park) or Grand Mercure Apartments (unbeatable ocean views conveniently located close to the ferry terminal at Nelly Bay).

Ardo Hotel & The Ville

For a stay in the heart of Townsville that still feels like a true tropical escape, check into The Ville. The resort-casino has long been the place to stay when you’re in Townsville – even more so since the 2023 opening of Ardo Hotel, which delivered 132 luxury rooms and suites, signature restaurants and an iconic rooftop pool with its own bar. If you want to island-hop by day but bar-hop by night, this is just the place.  

Looking for other options in Townsville?

• Live like a millionaire and chopper to Pelorus Private Island for an indulgent reef adventure
• Check into these Townsville hotels

The Whitsundays

With 74 island-wonders in The Whitsundays, it’s ok to feel a little overwhelmed on where to stay to explore the Great Barrier Reef. But this little hamlet has something for everyone, whether you prefer a mainland hub, a family friendly island resort paradise, an eco-escape or even sleeping right on the reef yourself. Nomatter where you end up, the reef is right here to enjoy.

Reef View Hotel, Hamilton Island

If you thought Hamilton Island was just for people on honeymoon-budgets, think again. Reef View Hotel offers the Hamilton Island hotel experience at a fraction of the qualia price tag.

You’ll find a view from every room, but it’s worth splurging for the Coral Sea facing room to never miss a sunset over Catseye Beach. Icing on the cake? You're within arm's reach of the island's best dining options - plus kids 12 years and under stay and eat for free. 

The Boathouse Apartments, Airlie Beach

The Boathouse Apartments don’t let you forget you’re staying right on the water: each room has taken its design cues from the marina that’s outside your window.

Built for families, each apartment comes in a two- or three-bedroom configuration – with a full size kitchen to ensure self-catering for the brood is a cinch. Onsite there's also a swimming pool, tennis court and a children’s playground to keep them entertained during down-time.

The Port of Airlie Marina is right outside your window, cutting down miles between your stay on Airlie Beach and accessing the Great Barrier Reef.

Elysian Retreat, Long Island

Wrap yourself in barefoot luxury at Elysian Retreat, the first 100% solar-powered island resort in The Whitsundays. Eco-friendly doesn't mean you have to sacrifice the finer touches here, with locally-caught and sourced meals, exciting water activities, day trips and reef exploration at your fingertips - if you can pull yourself away from the beachfront hammock at your bungalow.  

Intercontinental Hayman Island Resort

Whether you’re holidaying with your honey or your kids, InterContinental Hayman Island Resort is the dose of luxury that’ll put you straight into relaxation mode. Whether your version of timeout is an indulgent spa treatment and cocktails in the oceanfront pool, or making the white-sand beaches, coral reef and unimaginably blue water of The Whitsundays your playground – time out has never felt, or looked, so good.

Get a taste of the escape here.

For more Great Barrier Reef stays in The Whitsundays:

• Find our favourite island escapes in the Whitsundays
• Base yourself on the mainland at buzzing Airlie Beach
• This whole island you can rent
  
• Take the family to Daydream Island to explore the Living Reef
• Captain your own yacht around the islands

Southern Great Barrier Reef

The Southern Great Barrier Reef no longer flies in the shadow of its northern neighbours above, but a visit here still feels like you're discovering something special and untouched. 

Starting from Bundaberg and sprawling up the coastline to Capricorn, this part of the reef is the very spot that captivated Sir David Attenborough himself. Dive into its water wonderland with some of our favourite Great Barrier Reef hotels and resorts.

Lady Musgrave Island

A true jewel of the Southern Great Barrier Reef, until recently the only way you could stay the night on Lady Musgrave Island was to BYO gear and pitch your tent. And while self-sufficient campers can still enjoy the serenity of this marine haven after dark, the opening of Lady Musgrave HQ has made spending a night on the Reef an experience to remember for a lifetime.

Operated by Lady Musgrave Experience, HQ is an eco-friendly pontoon nestled in the sheltered waters of the island’s lagoon – completely solar and wind powered. By day, guests can dive, snorkel, explore and take part in citizen science activities. By night, dine under the stars and fall asleep to the sounds of the sea – Lady Musgrave HQ offers a glamping experience on the top deck along with bunk beds in the underwater observatory.

Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort

Want to learn about the Reef as you experience it? Lady Elliot is the place to be, with reef ranger programs, guided walks, marine hospital and Master Reef Guide led diving and snorkelling tucked into an eco-resort with an incredible story of regeneration. Home to an incredible reef system, it's also one of the best places in Queensland to swim with turtles and manta rays - if you need any more reason to visit.

Pumpkin Island

Part of the Keppel Group of islands, you’ll be hard-pressed to get much closer to the Great Barrier Reef action on the first carbon positive island resort in Australia.

You won’t need to share this experience with hordes of visitors either. It’s just you and 34 guests across seven units. Or, rent out the entire island yourself.

Pumpkin Island packs plenty of fun into its six hectares – from wildlife watching, and fishing to snorkelling the reef, with coral gardens beginning steps from where your balcony stops. If you need more convincing, step over here for everything you need to know about Pumpkin Island.

For more Southern Great Barrier Reef hotels and accommodation:

• Check out our comprehensive island guide
• Pitch a tent and camp on the Southern Great Barrier Reef
• Go glamping on secluded Wilson Island
• Explore the beaches and bays of Great Keppel Island