Accommodation in the area caters for all tastes. You can stay on the mainland of Australia and make the short journey to the Reef or you can live on one of the many inhabited tropical islands. Venues allow for camping, self-catering bungalows and luxury and family resorts.
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You should understand that the Reef extends for vast distances but there are certain places both on the mainland and the Reef islands where you can stay and from where you can launch your Reef adventures. Two main places on the mainland are Cairns and Port Douglas and they are only about an hour’s drive apart. Cairns is a major city and offers every level of accommodation. It also has an international airport.
Port Douglas was once a sleepy fishing village but now has major resort and holiday accommodation. Reef tours and packages leave from both of these places. Port Douglas or just ‘Port’ as the locals call it, is on the same tropical latitude as Tahiti and with the magnificent rainforest at its back door, this town is a great place to base your Reef holiday.
Palm Cove is about halfway between Cairns and Port Douglas and caters for budget travellers as well as those who require a little luxury. There are often courtesy buses from Palm Cove run by the Reef tour companies. The beach at Palm Cove is lined, naturally, with palm trees and the restaurants and shopping in these places is outstanding. It has one of the many fantastic beaches in the Great Barrier Reef area. |
For those who want to go offshore, there are dozens of islands with resorts for all budgets. These islands are described as Australia’s crown jewels. There are remote islands with luxurious accommodation or resorts which cater specifically for families and others with great facilities such as golf, swimming pools and shops; and of course, all have easy access to the Reef. There are several island resorts which come highly recommended for honeymooners.
You really are spoilt for choice. Some islands cater for whale watchers or have bird rookeries or are ideal for folk who love to fish. Great climate, great location and to top it off, the Great Barrier Reef is right on your doorstep. Hamilton Island has its own airport although most of the resort islands are reached by ferry from the mainland. |
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