What's the best time of year to start a Sydney to Great Barrier Reef tour?

Spring (September through November) and autumn (March through May) provide ideal conditions for exploring the Sydney to Great Barrier Reef route with mild temperatures and less rainfall. The summer months bring heat and humidity particularly in the northern regions while winter offers pleasant conditions in Sydney but cooler temperatures in the Blue Mountains. A TourRadar traveler noted: "We went in October and had perfect weather throughout - warm enough to enjoy the beaches but not too hot for sightseeing."

What's the typical duration of tours from Sydney to the Great Barrier Reef?

Most journeys span 10 to 16 days with 12-14 day itineraries being standard. The Costsaver "Bucket List Australia" covers the route in 10 days while Contiki's "Best of Australia" takes 12 days. Both tours feature stays at established properties like Holiday Inn Sydney Potts Point and Pacific Hotel Cairns. According to a TourRadar traveler: "The actual tours were great perfect amount of time to see everything from Sydney to the reef."

What accommodation can I expect on Sydney to Great Barrier Reef tours?

Accommodations range from 3-4 star hotels to beachfront resorts. Key properties include the Ace Hotel Sydney and Holiday Inn Potts Point in the city Paradise Links Resort in Port Douglas and Flynn Hotel in Cairns. A past guest shared: "The accommodation was consistently good quality - loved the Ace Hotel in Sydney with its amazing art collection and city views."

What are the must-see attractions during the first days starting in Sydney?

The first days focus on Sydney's essential landmarks including the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Day three typically features the Blue Mountains National Park where guides receive consistent praise from visitors. The itinerary includes encounters with native wildlife at Featherdale Wildlife Park and views from Mrs Macquarie's Chair. Hotels like Novotel Central Sydney and ibis Sydney World Square place travelers near key areas including Bondi Beach and The Rocks district.

What's included in terms of meals on these tours?

Tour packages generally cover daily hotel breakfasts and select main meals. Intrepid Travel provides 8 breakfasts 2 lunches and 5 dinners while Costsaver includes 9 breakfasts and specialty dining experiences. Guest feedback highlights the quality: "The included meals were excellent especially the seafood lunch during our Great Barrier Reef excursion."

How do tours handle transportation between Sydney and the Great Barrier Reef?

Transportation combines domestic flights from Sydney to northern hubs like Cairns or Port Douglas with coach travel between local attractions. Major operators including Costsaver and Intrepid Travel arrange all flights and provide WiFi-equipped coaches. Hotels such as DoubleTree Cairns serve as comfortable bases between journeys. A traveler confirmed: "The transportation was well organized with comfortable domestic flights and buses."

Great Barrier Reef Tours from Sydney

An adventure starting in Sydney is a great way to see Great Barrier Reef. We have 27 tours that range from 8 days up to 36 days. The most popular time for tours from Sydney is November, which has the most tour departures.

10 best Great Barrier Reef tours from Sydney

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Explorer
Oz East Coast Adventure 28 Days
5.0 (49 traveler reviews)
"From start to finish, our tour leader Katie was professional, knowledgeable, and made the whole experience so enjoyable."
Daniella, traveled in July
Duration
28 days
Destinations
Sydney, Byron Bay, Surfers Paradise, Brisbane,Rainbow Beach,Fraser Island,Airlie Beach,Whitsundays,Magnetic Island,Mission Beach,Great Barrier Reef,Cairns+8 more
Age Range
Ages 18-45
Regions
Great Barrier ReefEast AustraliaQueensland+2 more
Operated in
English
Operator
INTRO Travel
From
US$3,574per person
Price based on Shared Room
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Explorer
Aussie Icons Fly Stay Tour
4.2 (9 traveler reviews)
"TourRadar did an outstanding as an travel agency."
Theresa, traveled in June
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Sydney, Blue Mountains, Cairns, Daintree National Park,Great Barrier Reef,Melbourne,Phillip Island,Great Ocean Road,Apollo Bay+5 more
Age Range
Ages 8+
Country Region
Great Barrier ReefEast Australia+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Travel Made Easy Pty Ltd
20% Off
From $2,971
US$2,377per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
East Coast Australia Adventure (32 destinations)
Duration
19 days
Destinations
Sydney, Hunter Valley, Cessnock, Port Macquarie,Dorrigo National Park,Coffs Harbour,Byron Bay,Springbrook,Gold Coast,Brisbane,Noosa,Hervey Bay,Fraser Island,Airlie Beach,Whitsunday Islands,Townsville,Lucinda,Mission Beach,Atherton,Cairns,Kuranda,Mareeba,Mossman Gorge,Daintree National Park,Cape Tribulation,Great Barrier Reef,Palm Cove+23 more
Age Range
Ages 15+
Country Region
Great Barrier ReefEast Australia+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Intrepid Travel
20% Off
From
US$6,335per person
Price based on Shared Room
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Explorer
Australia: Beaches and Reefs (Without Sailing)
Duration
16 days
Destinations
Sydney, Blue Mountains, Bondi, Bondi Beach, Byron Bay,Noosa,Fraser Island,Airlie Beach,Whitsundays,Townsville,Magnetic Island,Cairns,Kuranda+8 more
Age Range
Ages 18-35
Country Region
Great Barrier ReefAustralia East CoastEast Australia+2 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Contiki
19% Off
From $3,057
US$2,476per person
+$298 upfront costs
Price based on Shared Room
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In-depth Cultural
16 Day Best of Australia’s East Coast – Comfort Small Group Tour (Sydney to Daintree)
Duration
16 days
Destinations
Sydney, Newcastle, Hunter Valley, Port Macquarie,Coffs Harbour,Byron Bay,Noosa,Rainbow Beach,Fraser Island,Brisbane,Airlie Beach,Whitsunday Islands,Mission Beach,Atherton,Cairns,Great Barrier Reef,Port Douglas,Kuranda,Mossman Gorge,Daintree National Park,Cape Tribulation+17 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Country Region
Great Barrier ReefEast Australia+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Autopia Tours
10% Off
From $7,211
US$6,490per person
Price based on Shared Room
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Explorer
Sydney to Cairns Explorer - 14 days
Duration
14 days
Destinations
Sydney, Hunter Valley, Newcastle, Port Macquarie,Byron Bay,Noosa,Rainbow Beach,Fraser Island,75 Mile Beach,Brisbane,Airlie Beach,Atherton,Great Barrier Reef,Mission Beach,Cairns+11 more
Age Range
Ages 18+
Country Region
Great Barrier ReefAustralia East CoastEast Australia+2 more
Operated in
English
Operator
On The Go Tours
10% Off
From
US$6,615per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
Ultimate Australia (Without Sailing)
Duration
20 days
Destinations
Sydney, Blue Mountains, Bondi, Bondi Beach, Byron Bay,Noosa,Fraser Island,Airlie Beach,Whitsundays,Townsville,Magnetic Island,Cairns,Kuranda+8 more
Age Range
Ages 18-35
Regions
Great Barrier ReefAustralia East CoastEast AustraliaFraser Island+3 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Contiki
19% Off
From $3,902
US$3,161per person
+$872 upfront costs
Price based on Shared Room
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Explorer
Best of Australia (from Sydney to Cairns)
Duration
13 days
Destinations
Sydney, Blue Mountains, Alice Springs,Tjoritja / West MacDonnell National Park,Kings Canyon,Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park,Yulara,Cairns,Kuranda,Port Douglas,Daintree National Park,Cape Tribulation,Great Barrier Reef,Mossman Gorge+11 more
Age Range
Ages 15+
Country Region
Great Barrier Reef
Operated in
English
Operator
Intrepid Travel
19% Off
From
US$8,760per person
Price based on Shared Room
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Explorer
Oz East Coast + Work 28 days
5.0 (8 traveler reviews)
"Fast paced and exciting, always on the move. Good lively accommodation."
Laura, traveled in January
Duration
28 days
Destinations
Sydney, Byron Bay, Surfers Paradise, Brisbane,Rainbow Beach,Fraser Island,Airlie Beach,Whitsundays,Magnetic Island,Mission Beach,Great Barrier Reef,Cairns+8 more
Age Range
Ages 18-45
Regions
Great Barrier ReefEast AustraliaQueensland+2 more
Operated in
English
Operator
INTRO Travel
19% Off
From
US$3,644per person
Price based on Shared Room
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Explorer
Classic Australia
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Sydney, Cairns, Melbourne
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Great Barrier ReefEast Australia+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Cosmos
9% Off
From $2,939
US$2,689per person
+$696 upfront costs
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
Best Of The East Coast – 16 Day Boutique Tour
5.0 (5 traveler reviews)
"The small group tour with lovely Hotels/Resorts on top level was the best tour in Australia so far for me."
Kirsten, traveled in February
Duration
16 days
Destinations
Sydney, Hunter Valley, Newcastle, Port Macquarie,Byron Bay,Noosa,Rainbow Beach,Fraser Island,Brisbane,Airlie Beach,Whitsundays,Mission Beach,Atherton,Cairns,Great Barrier Reef,Kuranda,Port Douglas,Mossman Gorge,Daintree National Park,Cape Tribulation+16 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Regions
Great Barrier ReefEast AustraliaSouth East QueenslandQueensland+3 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Via Travel Australia
15% Off
From $7,211
US$6,129per person
Price based on Shared Room
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Explorer
East Coast Explorer: 5 Week | ULTIMATE
4.5 (106 traveler reviews)
"I was able to see so many beautiful places and got to know so many lovely people."
Sarah, traveled in November
Duration
36 days
Destinations
Sydney, Byron Bay, Surfers Paradise, Brisbane, Noosa,Rainbow Beach,Fraser Island,Whitsunday Islands,Airlie Beach,Magnetic Island,Mission Beach,Atherton,Great Barrier Reef,Cairns+9 more
Age Range
Ages 18-35
Regions
Great Barrier ReefEast AustraliaSouth East QueenslandQueensland+3 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Ultimate Travel
15% Off
From
US$3,756per person
Price based on Shared Room
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Explorer
Best of Sydney & the Great Barrier Reef
5.0 (2 traveler reviews)
"The tours that were booked for us everyday were interesting, and adventurous!"
Ashley, traveled in April
Duration
12 days
Destinations
Sydney, Blue Mountains, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef,Daintree National Park,Fitzroy Island,Green Island National Park+3 more
Age Range
Ages 6+
Regions
Great Barrier ReefEast AustraliaSouth East QueenslandQueensland+3 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Travel Made Easy Pty Ltd
15% Off
From
US$3,085per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
Bucket List Australia
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Sydney, Bondi Beach, Blue Mountains, Uluru,Great Barrier Reef,Cairns+2 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Great Barrier ReefEast Australia+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Costsaver
10% Off
From $3,215
US$2,894per person
+$1,699 upfront costs
Price based on Shared Room
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Explorer
Classic Australia with Uluru & the Outback
Duration
13 days
Destinations
Sydney, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Melbourne, Uluru
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Great Barrier ReefEast AustraliaUluru / Ayers Rock+2 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Cosmos
10% Off
From
US$4,189per person
+$1,468 upfront costs
Price based on Private Double Room
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