The Great Barrier Reef is located in Australia off the state of Queensland’s eastern coast in the Coral Sea.
Travelling in Australia and dreaming of visiting the tropical underwater wonderland that is the Great Barrier Reef? With over 1500 species of fish, dugongs, turtles, rare whales and more to be seen, it also holds the title of having the world’s largest collection of coral.
If you’re unfamiliar with the reef, its location, vast size or where to visit to best experience it and are unsure where to begin planning your visit, we’re here to help.
In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at where the Great Barrier Reef is located on a map, which cities offer the best access and some key sightseeing locations to consider visiting in this not-to-be-missed marine park.
Where Is The Great Barrier Reef On A Map?
As you’ll see from the map below, the Great Barrier Reef is located in Australia off the state of Queensland’s eastern coast in the Coral Sea.
Papua New Guinea sits just above it to the North and the French territory of New Caledonia some distance further to the east.
Stretching from the continent’s northernmost point, the Cape York Peninsula down to the historic sugarcane city of Bundaberg. This is a staggering distance of over 2300 kilometres from top to bottom.
Accessing The Great Barrier Reef
If you’re wondering where is the best place to see the Great Barrier Reef, you’re in luck, several major tourist cities dotted along its length make exploring the reef a cinch.
Surprisingly, despite its vast size, some sections of the reef are as little as 16 kilometres off the coast. This makes visiting this natural wonder and UNESCO World Heritage site easier than you’d imagine.
Some of the best places from which to access the reef include:
- Cairns
- Port Douglas
- Townsville
- Airlie Beach
- Hamilton Island
- Gladstone
- Mission Beach
Getting There
While the eastern coastline of Australia is ideal for a self-driving tour, if you’re short on time, you can also fly into the area via one of five nearby airports.
These are:
- Cairns Airport is located just 5.5 km (3.5 miles) from Cairns and caters to both international and domestic arrivals.
- Townsville Airport is located within 5 km (3 miles) of Townsville city centre, it is only for domestic arrivals.
- Proserpine Airport is the closest domestic airport to Airlie Beach, located 39 km (24 miles) from the coastal town.
- Bundaberg Regional Airport, the southernmost gateway to the reef, facilitates domestic arrivals only and is located only 6 km (3.7 miles) from Bundaberg itself.
- Hamilton Island Airport accommodates domestic flights and allows you to land directly within the reef on Hamilton Island, part of the Whitsunday Island group.
Key Sight-Seeing Locations On The Great Barrier Reef
When looking at a Great Barrier Reef map, it can often be confusing as to which part offers the best sightseeing opportunities.
While the entirety of the reef offers incredible snorkelling and diving opportunities, some spots are more popular than others. No matter where you stay along the Great Barrier Reef or your level of swimming or diving skills, there is something for everyone.
Hastings Reef
Hastings Reef located closest to Cairns is often named as one of the best parts to visit. Offering exceptional underwater visibility between 15 and 28 metres, this section of the reef is suited to both first-time snorkelers and experienced divers.
Situated on the outer edge of the reef, you can expect to spend around 1.5 to 2 hours by catamaran to reach this location.
While there you will enjoy access to beautiful coral gardens and a wide range of stunning marine life including angelfish, parrotfish and giant clams among others.
Heart Reef
If your goal is to see the iconic Heart Reef that is pictured in just about every tourist brochure, we recommend staying in Airlie Beach or on one of the Whitsunday Islands.
Owing to its protected status, you are not permitted to dive or snorkel at Heart Reef, however, you can cruise around it on a catamaran or experience from the air in a helicopter or seaplane.
Located in the same area as the world-renowned Whitehaven Beach, you can easily combine a visit to both of these sights on the same day for a truly spectacular experience.
Yongala Shipwreck
Best suited to advanced divers with SSI and PADI qualifications, tours to the wreck of the SS Yongala typically depart from Townsville, Magnetic Island or Alva Beach – all of which are around four hours’ drive south of Cairns.
Sinking in 1911, the Yongala is 110 metres long and sits on the ocean floor, 28 metres below the surface. A haven for turtles, giant trevally, groupers, manta rays, sharks, thousands of tropical fish and more it is a truly spectacular dive site.
The Low Isles
Just 15 kilometres northeast of Port Douglas, the Low Isles is a breathtaking coral cay surrounded by an impressive and easily accessed 55 acres of reef.
The perfect spot for a day of snorkelling, nearby Woody Island is also a haven for birds ensuring there are plenty of nature-based activities for every visitor. If you’d rather relax, the many thatched umbrellas along the shoreline provide the ideal place to rest and enjoy this unique habitat.
Lady Elliot Island
Not enough time to head to the far northern reaches of Queensland to access the reef? Never fear, you don’t have to miss out altogether. The southernmost access point for the Great Barrier Reef, Bundaberg is an easy four-hour drive north of Queensland’s capital city Brisbane.
From here you can take a day trip out to the Great Barrier Reef by boat or opt to fly in for a short stay on the reef at Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort.
The island is classed as a coral cay and is regarded as one of the best snorkelling destinations on the reef from which to enjoy colourful marine life.
Plan Your Visit To The Great Barrier Reef
Regardless of how much time you have or how keen you are to get in the water, the Great Barrier Reef is well worth visiting if you’re in Queensland.
To learn more about the reef and the available accommodations and activities on offer, be sure to view our additional online travel guides for these topics.
