10 of the most idyllic Great Barrier Reef accommodations

Your key to unlocking once-in-a-lifetime marine exploration starts with the finest Great Barrier Reef accommodation picks.

Listing each incredible Great Barrier Reef accommodation would take a lifetime. After all, the world’s largest coral reef system measures in at more than 344,400 square kilometres, extending 2,300 kilometres along the Queensland coast. There are, however, some true highlights in the mix, shining a light on the remarkable beauty of this natural ecosystem while nailing warm hospitality, world-class amenities and Instagram-perfect fit outs.

From Hamilton Island to Hayman Island, we round up the best accommodation offerings in proximity to the Great Barrier Reef.

1. qualia

the private tub with ocean views at Windward Pavillion, qualia — The north-facing Windward Pavilions feature private baths. (Image: Sharyn Cairns)

Where: Hamilton Island

Price: $$$$$

Perfect for: Couples

One of the largest luxury lodges in Australia, qualia is a bucket list experience renowned for exceptional vistas and outstanding service. Split into two glorious sections, the Leeward Pavilions and Windward Pavilions feature floor-to-ceiling windows (to help you marvel in expansive views across The Whitsundays), private sundecks, the most comfortable of beds, mammoth bathrooms and private plunge pools if you choose wisely. But wherefore art thou magnificent reef in comparison? This Great Barrier Reef accommodation standout can arrange snorkelling and diving expeditions that depart right off the sand. Additionally, scenic flights, chopper rides taking in Heart Reef (much more petite up close but no less extraordinary), and luxury cruises can also be teed up.

2. Dunk Island Spit Camping

an aerial view of Dunk Island, Great Barrier Reef accommodation — Hit the beach and relax on Dunk Island. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Where: Dunk Island, 4km from Mission Beach

Perfect for: Nature lovers

Love your camping but keen to treat yourself? Dunk Island, part of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, is putting the final touches on Tropical North Queensland’s very first glamping experience. A collection of glamping tents is scheduled to be unveiled this year, as is a new cafe and a bar slinging cocktails, creating one of the Great Barrier Reef’s most unique accommodation options. Additionally, there are four traditional campsites located on the jetty-side foreshore, providing equally sensational views of the reef that envelopes Dunk Island. Given 2011’s Cyclone Yasi destroying most of the island’s infrastructure, this opening is highly anticipated and bound to be instantly embraced.

3. Lizard Island villas and suites

the 8-metre plunge pool at The Villa, Lizard Island Resort — The Clifftop Villa comes with an 8-metre plunge pool overlooking the Coral Sea. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Where: Lizard Island, 240km north of Cairns

Price: $$$$$

Perfect for: Couples

Add another one to your bucket list with the far-flung Lizard Island and its collection of villas and suites. Located in Lizard Island National Park, which covers 1,013 hectares of remote tropical rainforest, the Great Barrier Reef accommodation is completely secluded from the rest of the world. Serving as the reef’s most northern accommodation and celebrated for its 24 white-sand beaches and ultra-luxe digs, the hot spot boasts one truly idyllic setting. A lawn flanked by palm trees invites guests in to take their pick from beachfront suites, plunge pool villas, garden view suites and larger, more extravagant houses. Each differs in scale and price tag; however, none skimp on the extras as your all-inclusive stay covers every meal (but no drinks).

There’s also a gym, tennis court, guided snorkelling tours via sea darts, motorised dinghies, Great Barrier Reef tours, fishing expeditions and stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, nature trails, yoga and a freshwater swimming pool to keep you busy.

4. Crystalbrook Riley

the lagoon-style pool at Crystalbrook Riley — Crystalbrook Riley reels you in with its lagoon-style pool. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Where: Cairns

Price: $$$

Perfect for: Families

A glittering gem in the Cairns accommodation portfolio, Crystalbrook Riley is a knockout choice for families thanks to its crowd-magnet of a pool situated right by the hotel’s eateries. Sure, setting off on a Great Barrier Reef adventure is just a short walk away (the Cairns Marlin Marina sees plenty of tours depart daily), but trust us — you will struggle to leave this fabulous all-day attraction if the sun’s beating down (and it often is in Cairns). Design-wise, spacious and elegantly appointed rooms feature balconies and just the right amount of pop colour (in signature Crystalbrook style), while dining comes in three varieties: Rocco, a Mediterranean-inspired rooftop bar and restaurant, Paper Crane, dishing up big authentic Asian flavours, and Calypso Club, a trendy scene fitted with day beds that overlook the street to induce serious onlooker envy.

Once you do peel yourself away, however, you’re in good hands as Cairns is the undisputed gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Day tours will take you out to snorkel or dive different parts of the underwater playground, guiding you through a technicolour dream of coral and marine life. There are also helicopter tours, scenic flights and pretty much every aquatic activity in between.

5. InterContinental Hayman Great Barrier Reef

an aerial view of InterContinental Hayman Great Barrier Reef with a pool next to the beach — This tranquil Hayman Island resort boasts the largest swimming pool in Australia. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Where: Hayman Island, 41km from Hamilton Island

Price: $$$$

Perfect for: Families

Since 1950, Hayman Island has lured visitors in search of an exclusive and jaw-droppingly beautiful Whitsundays Island stay. Now, nestled under the wing of the hyper-luxe InterContinental group, this Great Barrier Reef accommodation is better than ever. Think flawless views of the Coral Sea, lush rainforest, white-sand beaches, fascinating wildlife and signature Queensland sunshine, elevated thanks to 182 sophisticated guest rooms, suites and villas, five restaurants and bars, ample beach activities, the tranquil Hayman Spa and Hair Salon, a golf simulator, a kids’ club, nature walks and more. Better yet, scenic flights and chopper rides, plus boating expeditions that comb through the reef’s brilliant natural masterpieces, depart right from the resort.

6. Rambutan Resort

Where: Townsville

Price: $$

Best for: Budget travellers

An affordable option, Rambutan Resort is a Townsville institution. You’ll find her smack bang in the middle of town, neighboured by convenience stores, cafes and upscale bars – the latter of which you needn’t leave for, however. On-site at this Great Barrier Reef accommodation, there’s a Mediterranean-inspired rooftop bar and restaurant, plus a second bar that faces the street, as well as a rooftop pool, laundry and free wi-fi.

Townsville is also a great choice for those who want to explore the outer Great Barrier Reef. SS Yongola Shipwreck, a mysterious and historically significant diving spot on the reef, is teeming with marine life, widely considered one of the world’s best dive sites. Day trips to nearby islands, including the ferry you can take to Magnetic Island, add further fun-fuelled fodder to your to-do list.

7. Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Port Douglas

the Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Port Douglas on Four Mile Beach — The five-star resort sits next to the golden sands of Four Mile Beach. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Where: Port Douglas

Price: $$$

Best for: Families

Port Douglas is one of the closest and most popular entry points to the Great Barrier Reef, home to the reliably comfortable Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Port Douglas .  Here, you’ll find every type of traveller – families, newlyweds, loved-up couples and lone rangers – soaking up the resort’s 147 hectares of subtropical rainforest and coastal-inspired rooms. The Great Barrier Reef accommodation still stands as the only beachfront property on Four Mile Beach, a sandy stretch of clear blue sea and waving palms. It’s also utterly beloved by golfers thanks to its stellar 18-hole golf course.

8. Fitzroy Island Resort

an aerial view of Fitzroy Island Resort, Great Barrier Reef accommodation — Spend a dreamy stay in a tropical oasis at Fitzroy Island Resort. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Where: Fitzroy Island, a 45-minute ferry ride from Cairns

Price: $$-$$$

Best for: Families

A seriously untapped location within the Great Barrier Reef, Fitzroy Island is a hidden gem begging to be explored. Its ultra-charming Fitzroy Island Resort , the only place to stay on the island and accessible via the Fitzroy Flyer ferry service, will set you up for epic exploration. On land, you’ll find a swimming pool with a swim-up bar, fine dining restaurant Zephyr Restaurant which also nails breakfast, a games room and the wonderful Foxy’s Bar & Cafe which throws up breathtaking sunsets right off the beach.

Meanwhile, kids will lap up the Junior Marine Biologist program, plus daily fish feeding and movie screenings, while more mature guests shouldn’t resist visiting the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre, located within a short walk from the resort lobby. Then, it’s time to head out over those waters on a glass bottom boat tour, which often includes a bout of successful sea turtle spotting. As for where you’ll rest your head, there’s a stack of options spanning studios, villas, suites and cabins, plus one extremely luxe penthouse that sleeps up to eight.

9. Daintree Ecolodge

a woman staying at Daintree Ecolodge looking out the rainforest views from her room — The ECO-certified Daintree Eco Lodge is nestled between lush foliage. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Where: Daintree Rainforest

Price: $$

Best for: Adventure-seekers

Discover where the Daintree Rainforest meets the reef at Daintree Ecolodge . Located about an hour and a half north of Cairns, this Great Barrier Reef accommodation offers a transformative experience amid otherworldly surroundings. 15 individual treehouses set a purely magical scene.

Before you dip into the reef, explore the lodge in full, keeping an ear out at night for the cacophony of frog song. During the day, look out for cassowaries and other wildlife roaming around the property which features a bar and the Julaymba Restaurant dishing up modern Australian cuisine across breakfast, lunch and dinner. Don’t miss taking time out at the Daintree Wellness Spa and on-site pool, too.

10. BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort

the waterslide park at BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort — The family-friendly resort features a giant waterslide. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Where: Airlie Beach

Price: $-$$

Best for: Large groups

Airlie Beach is located on the north-east Queensland coast, between Mackay and Townsville, so it’s blue-upon-blue heaven before you even embark on the reef.

Offering a budget-friendly stay for extended families and groups of friends, the BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort is an unbeatable pick for value and fun. The facilities are phenomenal, with 13 water slides, an animal park of its own, a kids’ club, mini golf, an outdoor cinema, poolside day spa services and even more. Furthermore, accommodation comes in the way of multi-bedroom cabins and various camping sites. Go on day trips, fly in a seaplane or sail the Whitsunday Islands — the Great Barrier Reef is your oyster if you stay here.

Exploring the world’s largest sand island starts with the perfect K’gari homebase.

The morning light is still soft, but it’s already a perfect sunny day. We left our K’gari homebase at Kingfisher Bay Resort with our guide, Peter Meyer, at 9 am to make the most of our time to explore all that the world’s largest sand island holds. The size of K’gari is hard to grasp until you arrive here. This is no sandbar. Stretching 120 kilometres, unique lakes, mangrove systems, rainforest, 75 Miles of beach, historic shipwrecks, small townships and even one of Queensland’s best bakeries are all hidden within its bounds.

But first, one of the island’s most iconic sights: the pure silica sand and crystal clear waters of Lake McKenzie.

Laying eyes on it for the first time, I’m finally able to confirm that the photos don’t lie. The sand is pure white, without the merest hint of yellow. The water fades from a light halo of aqua around the edges to a deeper, royal blue, the deeper it gets (not that it’s particularly deep, six metres at most). The surface remains surprisingly undisturbed, like a mirror.

Arriving with our guide before 10 am means that no one else is around when we get here. Which means we have the pleasure of breaking the smooth surface with our own ripples as we enter. As a self-confessed wimp with chilly water temperatures, my fears are quickly assuaged. Even in the morning, the water stays around 23 degrees – perfect for lazing about all day. But we have more sights to see.

Exploring K’gari

ariel of in lake mckenzie on k'gari fraser island — Relax in the warm waters of Lake McKenzie. (Image: Ayeisha Sheldon)

This was the Personalised 4WD tour offered by Kingfisher Bay Resort, and my absolute top pick of experiences. Over the course of the day, we had the freedom to create our own bespoke itinerary (plus a provided picnic lunch along the way), with an expert guide who had plenty of stories and local expertise to give context to what we were looking at. From the history of the SS Maheno shipwreck, which survived the First World War only to be washed ashore by a cyclone in 1935, to a detailed description of how an island made of sand could sustain such diverse flora.

If it’s your first time to K’gari, the Beauty Spots Tour is another great option. Departing daily from Kingfisher Bay Resort (you’ll start to notice a trend, as many of the tours do start and end here), an air-conditioned, 4WD bus takes guests to the island’s most iconic locations, including the best places to swim, like Lake McKenzie and Eli Creek. The latter offers a gentle current, perfect for riding with a blow-up tyre out towards the ocean.

The next day, for a look at a completely different side of K’gari, I joined one of Kingfisher Bay Resort’s Immersive Ranger-guided tours to kayak through the mangroves of Dundonga Creek. This long, snake-like stretch of creek winds its way inland from the ocean outlet we entered by, at times too narrow for three kayaks to be side-by-side. Small insects buzz from leaf to leaf, while birds call overhead. Occasional bubbles indicate we’ve passed some fish that call this place home.

kayak tour through the mangroves at k'gari island — Learn about the island’s mangroves from your Ranger. (Image: Reuben Nutt/ TEQ)

If kayaking isn’t for you – or if, like me, you simply want more – other ranger-led experiences include nature walks and a dedicated Junior Eco Ranger Program for kids ages five to 12 (these run every weekend, and daily over the peak December holidays). Just ask for a timetable of upcoming tours when you check in.

While during whale season, Hervey Bay Whale Watch & Charters operates tours from the hotel’s jetty to get up close to the famous Humpback Highway of Hervey Bay, from 7 November to 31 May, attention turns to the Aqua Oasis Cruise . Departing from the resort every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday for resort guests, adventure along the island’s remote western coast, pointing out wildlife like dolphins, turtles, flying fish and eagles along the way.

The cruise drops anchor so guests can jump into the water using the boat’s equipment – from SUP boards to inflatable slides and jumping platforms. Then refuel with a provided lunch, of course.

Unwind at sunset

two people drinking cocktails at sunset bar, kingfisher bay resort — Unwind at the Sunset Bar. (Image: Sean Scott)

As much as days on K’gari can be filled with adventure, to me, the afternoons and evenings there are for unwinding. Sunsets on K’gari are absolutely unbelievable, with Kingfisher Bay on the west side being the best spot to catch the colours.

The Sunset Bar , located at the start of the resort’s jetty and overlooking the beach, is the ultimate location for sundowners. Let chill beats wash over you as you sip on cool wines, beers and cocktails in a relaxed, friendly vibe. Personally, a cheese board was also absolutely called for. As the sun sinks, the sand, sea and horizon turn a vibrant shade of orange, with the jetty casting a dramatic shadow across the water.

When the show is over, head back to the hotel for dinner at the Asian-fusion Dune restaurant, or the pub-style Sand + Wood. But if your appetite is still whetted for more lights and colours, the evening isn’t over yet.

Settle into the Illumina stage for Return to Sky, an immersive light and sound show leading viewers on a captivating journey through K’gari’s stories and landscapes.

Indulge and disconnect

woman setting up massage room at kingfisher bay resort Island Day Spa — Find bliss at Island Day Spa. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Of course, there is a type of traveller who knows that balance is important, day or night. While Kingfisher Bay Resort offers more than one pool for guests to spend all day lounging by (they’ll even serve you food and drinks while you do it), you’ll find me at the Island Day Spa.

The masseuses could match the magic hands of any big city spa, and I felt the warm welcome as I walked into the light, breezy reception. Choose from a range of botanical facials, beauty treatments and soothing massages using traditional techniques (obviously, I couldn’t go past a relaxing massage). All products used contain organic, native botanical ingredients with nutrient-rich plant extracts to soothe skin and mind. To really indulge, try out one of the packages, couples treatment or even a pre-wedding day offering.

Getting there

kingfisher bay resort 4wd tour driving passed ss maheno on k'gari island — The world of K’gari awaits. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Getting to K’gari is shockingly easy. Find daily flights into Hervey Bay from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Kingfisher Bay Resort offers a shuttle bus between the airport, their headquarters in Hervey Bay and the ferry to take you to K’gari.