Queensland & Great Barrier Reef Hotel map and travel info

Getting there

Planes, trains, automobiles, or maybe even helicopter – we tell you the best way to go.

Planes

Etihad (www.etihadairways.com) fly between Heathrow and Brisbane three times a day and once a day from Manchester. Qantas (www.qantas.com), Jetstar (www.jetstar.com) and Virgin Blue (www.virginblue.com.au) all fly regularly to Cairns from major Australian cities and some Asia-Pacific destinations. A five-minute taxi ride gets you to the runways of Hinterland Aviation (www.hinterlandaviation.com.au), where you can catch flights to Lizard Island, Wrotham Park, Dunk Island, the Whitsundays (Prosperpine), and other hard-to-reach spots.

Boats

Catamarans and ferry boats shuttle between the Great Barrier Reef’s assorted islands. Both Quick Cat Cruises (www.quickcatcruises.com.au) and Mission Beach Water Taxi (www.missionbeachwatertaxi.com) operate a timetabled service between Mission Beach and Dunk Island, from where you can catch boat transfers to your destination. To reach Hamilton Island Marina, hop aboard a catamaran from Shute Harbour with Fantasea Cruises (www.fantasea.com.au), or charter your own vessel – see www.hamiltonisland.com.au.

Automobiles

Don’t bother with a car if you’re island hopping around the reef – most of the islands can be navigated on foot in a matter of minutes. If you’re sticking to the mainland and driving into the Outback, a 4x4 is essential. Try Avis (www.avic.com), and make sure you bring GPS or a decent map, plenty of water, and a torch.