Cairns, beyond the Barrier Reef The best coral habitat on the planet comes to mind when one thinks of Cairns. But this Queensland gem offers more: lush rainforests, vibrant wildlife, and thrilling ...

Leena Tailor The world’s largest coral reef stretches 1,800 miles ... Most tours of the Great Barrier Reef depart from Cairns, which is about a two-hour flight from Brisbane.

Get Out onto the Water (Safely) As the departure point for most Great Barrier Reef tours, the Cairns Marina and surrounding ...

The world's largest coral reef (and the only living thing visible ... Most visitors to the reef take a day trip from the city of Cairns, where the closest international airport is, but there's ...

About 1,500 miles north of Sydney, Cairns boasts the closest mainland access to the Great Barrier Reef. One reason Cairns is such a popular entry point to the reef is its airport. While there are ...