Luxury Holidays on the Great Barrier Reef Islands
Island resorts, coral gardens close to shore and days under sail among the Whitsundays.
Great Barrier Reef islands: a different way to experience the sea
The islands of the Great Barrier Reef lie off the coast of Queensland, Australia. A stay here brings the reef into the rhythm of each day: time in the water among coral gardens, a boat journey back to shore and an evening overlooking the sea. The islands have distinct settings, so choosing where to stay shapes the whole trip.
North of Cairns, Lizard Island places coral close enough to explore from the beach or on a short boat trip. Bedarra Island has rainforest and small coastal bays, with boat excursions taking guests out to the reef. Hayman Island belongs to the Whitsundays, where a stay by the water can be combined with sailing among the islands. This destination page features Lizard Island, Bedarra Island Resort and InterContinental Hayman Island Resort, each offering a different base for a reef holiday.
May to October is often a good period to visit the Great Barrier Reef, with generally favourable conditions for seeing marine life underwater. Yet the experience reaches beyond snorkelling and diving. At the end of a day at sea, the boat turns towards shore and the outline of your island gradually comes back into view.