The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, stretching out 134,634 square miles. It’s made up of nearly 3,000 individual reefs and 900 islands. The reef is located off the northeast coast of Queensland, Australia, and is most easily accessible from a couple of locations, including the city of Cairns or nearby islands like Fitzroy Island. Here are some comfortable hotel, resort, and apartment-style accommodations to set as home base on an adventure to visit The Great Barrier Reef.
The Most Convenient Hotels Near the Great Barrier Reef
Check out Matador’s guide to the best Airbnbs near the Great Barrier Reef.
Traveling to Australia? Check out Matador’s Australia accommodations guides:
- Live your best life down under at these gorgeous Sydney Airbnbs
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- The top Brisbane Hotels To Experience Queensland’s Capital City
- 8 iconic Sydney hotels that put you within walking distance of all attractions
- These Melbourne Airbnbs showcase the best of Mel-Bin style
- The coolest Auckland Airbnbs to experience New Zealand’s biggest city
We hope you love these hotels near the Great Barrier Reef! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.
Palm Royale Cairns
- Address: 7 – 11 Chester Court, 4870 Cairns, Australia
- Rates from: $68 per night
The 150-room, boutique Palm Royale Cairns feels like a relaxing escape. The resort was designed to reflect tropical North Queensland’s laid-back lifestyle. It’s nestled into 2.5 acres of lush tropical gardens, with Mediterranean-inspired architecture and views of beautiful scenery. It’s just a 10-minute drive from the Cairns city center, a 15-minute drive from Cairns Airport, and a 15-minute drive from Tjapukai Cultural Park, but feels like it’s a world away from city life.
Spend time swimming at one of the pools — ranging from a beach-style swimming pool and cold-water spa to a 25-meter (80-foot) lap pool — or book a treatment at the spa. Each air-conditioned guest room features a private balcony with pool or garden views and modern amenities like a TV, fridge, and Mediterranean-inspired decor.
Rydges Esplanade Resort Cairns
- Address: 209-217 Abbott Street, 4870 Cairns, Australia
- Rates from: $111 per night
Rydges Esplanade Resort Cairns is located on the Esplanade within easy walking distance to many shopping and dining spots. The property overlooks the Coral Sea and features guest rooms boasting private balconies with city, mountain or water views.
After a day of exploring, dine at the property’s relaxed, award-winning restaurant, Coral Hedge Brasserie which serves a range of international dishes and an impressive wine, beer, and cocktail menu. Or enjoy the on-site facilities, such as the three swimming pools, two tennis courts, or a well-equipped fitness center with an outdoor hot tub.
Rooms are air-conditioned and boast modern decor and amenities like a TV, a minibar and a tea and coffee machine.
Crystalbrook Riley
- Address: 131/141 Esplanade, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia
- Rates from: $163 per night
The five-star property, Crystalbrook Riley, is conveniently located at the northern end of the waterfront Esplanade. Most 311 upscale guest rooms and suites feature large balconies with a mix of city and sea views. Rooms are outfitted with technology like an Apple iPad control center, a large flat-screen Smart TV, blackout blinds for proper rest, and a Nespresso coffee machine.
Dine at one of the three restaurants and bars (including the city’s highest rooftop bar, Rocco), or lounge at the lagoon pool and private beach. Set up a treatment at Eléme Day Spa or get a workout in at the 24-hour fitness center. Nearby landmarks include the Centre of Contemporary Arts, the Cairns Performing Arts Centre, and the Great Barrier Reef Departure Terminal. The property also offers assistance in organizing trips to the Reef.
Fitzroy Island Resort
- Address: Fitzroy Island, 4870 Fitzroy Island, Australia
- Rates from: $104 per night
Fitzroy Island Resort sits on a tropical island in Great Barrier Reef Marine Park off the coast of Cairns, perfectly located between the beach and the rainforest, and a 45-minute ride away from Cairns by ferry. The family-owned property boasts 99 rooms — and is the only resort on the island.
Soak up some sunshine at the outdoor swimming pool, which features its own swim-up bar — or spend time cooling down at the in-house cinema. Kids can get creative at the on-site playroom with games like air hockey.
Several walking trails wind through the property’s surrounding rainforest land and beaches for guests to explore and snorkeling and kayaking equipment for rent. Dine at the on-site eatery, Zephyr Restaurant, which is open daily for breakfast and dinner and overlooks the peaceful waters of Welcome Bay, serving international “island fare” flavors made with freshly sourced Australian produce. Or, grab a bite at Foxy’s Bar and Cafe, which features light bites and offers takeaway, beer, and wine.
Rest and recuperate after a day of adventures at one of the comfortable, air-conditioned guest rooms with amenities like cable TV, an en-suite bathroom, a fridge, and a coffee machine.
Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns
- Address: Pierpoint Road, 4870 Cairns, Australia
- Rates from: $170 per night
The luxurious, 255-room 5-star Shangri-La Hotel boasts stunning views of the Cairns Marlin Marina and is just a few minutes walking distance from The Great Barrier Reef Departure Terminal and the Pier Shopping Centre.
Visitors can cool down at the outdoor swimming pool, work out at the well-equipped fitness center, or book a trip off-site with the knowledgeable tour desk. Grab a bite at The Backyard, which is known as a spirited but laid-back dining venue serving an abundance of classic seafood and Australian barbecue favorites. There are multiple seating choices from the bar to the deck or the garden — all with views of the waterfront.
Each room offers its own private balcony with scenic views of the tropical gardens, Trinity Bay, or Marlin Marina. Amenities include a large, flat-screen satellite TV and an in-room minibar.
Peppers Beach Club & Spa
- Address: 123 Williams Esplanade, 4879 Palm Cove, Australia
- Rates from: $221 per night
The luxurious Peppers Beach Club resort sits right on the beach in Palm Cove, close to the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef, surrounded by beautiful gardens and sandy beaches.
Book a treatment at the relaxing spa, swim at one of the three on-site swimming pools, or work out at the tennis court or a fitness center. Or, use the property as a home base to book a day trip like scuba diving, deep-sea fishing, or a rainforest walk. After a day of adventure, refuel at the property’s beachside restaurant, La Mesa Restaurant, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, featuring a menu with a Latin American twist.
Guests will enjoy spending time in the upscale rooms or larger suites — each of which boasts its own balcony or terrace overlooking the ocean, pools, or gardens. The suites even feature a separate living and dining room area and a fully equipped kitchen.
DoubleTree by Hilton Cairns
- Address: 121 – 123 The Esplanade & Florence Street, 4870 Cairns, Australia
- Rates from: $107 per night
The oceanfront DoubleTree by Hilton Cairns hotel is a short walk from attractions like the Cairns Aquarium, Cairns Art Gallery, the Esplanade Lagoon, and the city center — featuring scenic views of the Coral Sea in a relaxed, welcoming setting.
Spend time at the outdoor swimming pool, get a workout in at the hotel’s fitness center, or dine at Atrium Restaurant & Bar which features a lineup of specialty cocktails and local wines alongside Aussie-inspired bites.
Those who’d prefer to relax en-suite can enjoy room service offerings. Guest rooms are air-conditioned and boast mountain, sea, or city views from private balconies or floor-to-ceiling windows and comfortable amenities like a TV and minifridge.
Cairns Plaza Hotel
- Address: 145 The Esplanade, 4870 Cairns, Australia
- Rates from: $148 per night
The independently owned and operated Cairns Plaza Hotel is located on The Esplanade, across from Trinity Bay, just a 10-minute walk from central Cairns and a 5-minute walk from many local favorite shops and restaurants.
Swim at the on-site outdoor swimming pool, or visit the front desk to book a tour of the Daintree Rainforest or the Great Barrier Reef.
Spacious guest rooms are modern and bright, each featuring its own private balcony to enjoy fresh air and scenic sights. It’s a great home base for business and leisure travelers to enjoy access to tourist attractions and the city’s Central Business District.
Blue Lagoon Resort
Photo: Blue Lagoon Resort
Photo: Blue Lagoon Resort
Photo: Blue Lagoon Resort
Photo: Blue Lagoon Resort
- Address: 22-26 Trinity Beach Rd, 4879 Trinity Beach, Australia
- Rates from: $114 per night
The Blue Lagoon Resort sits in a great location, just a 4-minute walk from the white sands of Trinity Beach. It’s surrounded by various local cafés and shopping opportunities and a 7-minute drive from Paradise Palms Golf Course.
Swim at one of two outdoor pools, play a game on the tennis court, work out at the on-site fitness center, or use one of the barbecue pavilions to cook a fresh, tasty meal.
Guest accommodations are tropical, with modern amenities like flat-screen TVs, modern cooking facilities, and balconies with views of the rainforest and mountain landscapes.
Cairns Beach Resort
Photo: Cairns Beach Resort
Photo: Cairns Beach Resort
Photo: Cairns Beach Resort
Photo: Cairns Beach Resort
- Address: 29-135 Oleander Street, Holloways Beach, 4870 Cairns, Australia
- Rates from: $200 per night
The beachfront property Australis Cairns Beach Resort features four-star accommodations set amongst lush gardens near Holloways Beach, just a 10-minute drive north of Cairns City.
Guests can spend the night in one of the spacious one-bedroom apartments with their own kitchen and laundry facilities and a private balcony overlooking sights like the gardens, pool, or the Coral Sea.
It’s a clean, relaxed spot to set as a home for exploring the area just minutes away from the SkyRail terminal, meaning easy access to urban adventures in Cairns and outdoor adventures on the Great Barrier Reef.
Where is the Great Barrier Reef?
The Great Barrier Reef is located on the northeast coast of Australia, off of Queensland. The closest large city to the reef is Cairns.
What is the Great Barrier Reef?
The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system. It encompasses roughly 3,000 individual reefs of coral and nearly 1000 islands and is home to over 9,000 known species. The reef is the largest living thing on Earth and can even be seen from outer space.
How long is the Great Barrier Reef?
The reef is stretched across 1,429 miles over an area of approximately 133,000 square miles (roughly the same size as Germany and Japan). 