A first-timers guide to the Great Barrier Reef

Awesome. Breathtaking. Inspiring. You’ll never forget your first holiday to the Great Barrier Reef. The largest living coral reef system on Earth, Queensland’s natural ocean wonder is a playground for holidaymakers, conservationists, and diving enthusiasts alike, boasting some of the world’s most incredible scenery – both above and below the ocean’s surface.

From the best eco-tours on the Great Barrier Reef, to family-friendly itineraries, luxury experiences and ocean encounters, this giant living organism is something straight out of a fairytale – with the scenery to match.

Here’s everything you need to know before booking your first holiday on the Great Barrier Reef.

Where is the Great Barrier Reef?

Stretching over 2,300km, the Great Barrier Reef is one of Australia’s most iconic landmarks and one of the seven natural wonders of the world. From the southern Queensland city of Bundaberg to the northern tip of Cape York in the Coral Sea, the Great Barrier Reef hugs the coastline almost the entire length of the state and can be accessed from as little as four hours’ drive north of Brisbane.

Why is it so special?

Making up 10 per cent of the world’s coral reef ecosystem and home to some of the most diverse marine life on Earth, the Great Barrier Reef is as unique as it is breathtaking. So big it can be seen from space, and so famous even Sir David Attenborough named it one of his most favourite places in the world.

A UNESCO World Heritage natural wonder formed of over 3,000 individual reefs and 900 continental islands and coral cays, snorkelling and diving the Great Barrier Reef is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Here, you can swim with minke whales, watch humpback whales leap from the oceans, swim with sharks, turtles, and manta rays, and uncover remote islands leading the way in global eco-conservation.

How to get to the Great Barrier Reef

Given its size, it can easily feel overwhelming figuring out the best place to access the Reef for the first time, but you can guarantee spectacular beaches, swimming and snorkelling wherever you end up. The five main regions of the Great Barrier Reef each boast their own unique identity and things to do, making every visit to the Reef extra special.

Southern Great Barrier Reef

From Brisbane and the Gold Coast, the Southern Great Barrier Reef is the closest Reef region. Hugging the coastline from Bundaberg up to Rockhampton and Yeppoon on the illustrious Capricorn Coast, the Southern Great Barrier Reef boasts some of the best snorkelling and diving experiences in the world. Head here for a taste of island life; Lady Musgrave Island, Lady Elliot Island, Pumpkin Island and Heron Island, all revered for their eco-friendly practices, each acting as conservation havens for some of the Reef’s most protected species.

The Whitsundays

Heading further north, Mackay and The Whitsundays are a playground for island-hoppers sailing enthusiasts. With 74 islands dotted across the region and an outrageously beautiful coastline (including the world-famous Whitehaven Beach and Heart Reef) marine life is unique as it is bountiful here.

Townsville

The gateway to the tropical north, Townsville is one of the best bases when exploring the Great Barrier Reef for the first time. Rich Indigenous culture greets you here, with ample experiences on offer to learn about Australia’s First Nation’s people. Dive shipwrecks and the sunken treasures at the Museum of Underwater Art, explore Magnetic and Hinchinbrook Islands, and learn about the region’s important conservation work. If you're looking for a luxurious Great Barrier Reef island escape, put spectacular Orpheus Island on your radar - or rent out an entire island to yourself at Pelorus Private Island.

Cairns & Great Barrier Reef

Arguably the most famous regions to access the Great Barrier Reef, both Cairns and Port Douglas boast gorgeous sandy beaches, coral cays, and some of the most famous reef formations. With the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Wet Tropics also on your doorstep, this region of Queensland is unlike anywhere else on earth.

The Great Barrier Reef’s ‘Wild North’ region stretches from the sandy beaches of Port Douglas all the way up to the Cape York Peninsula, the northern-most tip of Queensland. Untamed, rugged, and wild, this region of the Reef is largely untouched, making for some extraordinary snorkelling, diving, and fishing trips. The rest of the world feels a world away up here.

When to visit the Great Barrier Reef

The beauty of the Great Barrier Reef is there’s no bad time to visit; this part of Queensland is blessed with an ‘endless summer’ ­– warm even in Australia’s winter months. Between May and October is when the conditions are just right; the water is refreshing; the weather is fine and the chance of rain is minimal.

Summer in the tropics – November to May – is hardly anything to sniff at, though. The weather can be wetter, but it’s when the Reef comes alive and the water clarity improves. Divers and snorkellers need to wear a protective suit when in the water during this time of year, but you’re rewarded with some of the best visibility and marine life encounters.

Things to do here on the Great Barrier Reef

Whether it’s coming face to face with one of the Great Eight deep beneath the ocean’s surface or skimming over bommies with nothing but a snorkel and a pair of fins; when it comes to keeping busy, the Great Barrier Reef offers some incredible things to do. To put it simply; if you’re bored here, you’re not living right.

Some of the most incredible things to do involve immersing yourself in your surroundings; sleep under the stars in the middle of the Reef, charter a private sailboat at the Whitsundays, become a PADI certified diver, or explore one of the Reef’s many islands. If you can dream it, you can do it.

Hoping to witness some of the spectacular marine life on the Great Barrier Reef? The Reef turns it on 365. January to March is turtle hatching season in the Southern Great Barrier Reef and northernmost edges of the Reef (November and December for nesting); June and July you’ll be most likely to spot dwarf minke whales as they migrate north past remote Ribbon Reef off the coast of Cairns; July through October is when humpback whales migrate north along the Queensland coast; and the winter months (May to August) is when manta rays are at the most prevalent across the Southern Great Barrier Reef and at Lady Elliot Island.

How to see the Great Barrier Reef

From day trips to suit every budget to the most luxurious of experiences, there are countless ways to experience life on the Great Barrier Reef (you can even see the Reef without getting wet).

No matter which region of the Reef you choose to visit, the easiest way to experience the Reef is by chartered day trip. With experts on hand, equipment provided, and the best locations for seeing the Great Eight, this is a popular choice for families and first timers wanting a taste of the Reef. Choose a tour with a Master Reef Guide and you'll come away with a true appreciation for your surroundings and how we can all help keep the Reef thriving.

Hopping aboard a liveaboard, meanwhile, gives you more time, offering unparalleled access to some of the more remote regions – and inhabitants – of the outer reef. Heading far beyond the route of Reef day-trippers, a multi-day liveaboard gives a real insight into the Reef’s intricate ecosphere.

Above the water is hardly a snooze fest; kitesurf over crystal clear waters to sandy cays, take a helicopter ride or hop on a seaplane to get a sense of the sheer scale (and beauty) of the place.

Volunteering on one of the Reef’s islands is a great way to see up close all the ways in which conservation is supporting the Reef and its inhabitants. By simply supporting its tourism economy, you’re supporting the conservation of the Great Barrier Reef for generations to come. 

Ready to start planning your Great Barrier Reef holiday? We're here to help.