Great Barrier Reef

Queensland

Shop

Get even more with a Lonely Planet guide.

I swam from the beach with my snorkel and camera and this was the first guy to greet me

Why visit Great Barrier Reef

Each year, more than 1.5 million visitors come to experience this World Heritage–listed area that stretches across 2000km of coastline. Diving and snorkelling are just some of the ways of experiencing this wonderfully rich ecosystem. There's also sailing, scenic flights and a world of DIY options for exploring the reef’s gateway towns and stunning islands.

Lonely planet’s trusted travel insurance provider

Dreaming of Great Barrier Reef? Protect your trip

Travel with confidence. Protect your trip and your wallet.

LEARN MORE

We don’t represent World Nomads, we receive a fee from quotes using this link. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.

Take your Australia trip with Lonely Planet Journeys

Pick one of our ready-to-book trips or fully customize your own with help from our local experts.

bookable trip

All-Encompassing Australia: The Great Barrier Reef, Uluru, and Sydney in 12 Days

12 days / 11 nights

highlights

1 Glimpsing koalas, wombats, and emus on the cusp of the Blue Mountains
2 Snorkeling among coral reefs and clown fish in the Great Barrier Reef
3 Witnessing the sunrise and sunset glow of Uluru National Park’s magnificent Kata Tjuta