Great Barrier Reef & Sydney
Three nights in Cairns to snorkel the Great Barrier Reef and explore the Daintree rainforest, then Sydney's Opera House and harbour.
Trip at a glance
- Duration7 days / 6 nights
- Starts inCairns & the Great Barrier Reef
- RouteCairns & the Great Barrier Reef · Sydney
- Places2 destinations
- CountryAustralia
- Ideal forAdventure holidays
- Trip stylePrivate, customisable
- Package codeNX-1XB3HX
Best time to visit: May to October




Trip overview
Three nights in Cairns to snorkel the Great Barrier Reef and explore the Daintree rainforest, then Sydney's Opera House and harbour.
The route spends 3 nights in Cairns & the Great Barrier Reef and 3 nights in Sydney, so you get time for the main sights without changing hotels every day. It suits adventure holidays, and every day can be shortened, swapped or extended.
Highlights
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1Arrive in Cairns & the Great Barrier Reef
- Arrive via Cairns Airport (CNS) and transfer to your hotel
- Check in and settle in
- Later: Great Barrier Reef: Snorkelling and diving
Day 2Cairns & the Great Barrier Reef: Snorkelling and Green Island
- Snorkelling
- Green Island: Coral cay
Day 3Cairns & the Great Barrier Reef: Daintree Rainforest and Kuranda Scenic Railway
- Daintree Rainforest: Ancient rainforest
- Kuranda Scenic Railway: Rainforest railway
Day 4Cairns & the Great Barrier Reef to Sydney
- Fly from Cairns & the Great Barrier Reef to Sydney (flight timings confirmed in your quote)
- Check in at your Sydney hotel
- BridgeClimb
Day 5Sydney: Sydney Opera House and Bondi to Coogee walk
- Sydney Opera House: Iconic performance venue
- Bondi to Coogee walk: Coastal walk
Day 6Sydney: Taronga Zoo and Blue Mountains
- Taronga Zoo: Zoo with harbour views
- Blue Mountains: Three Sisters and eucalyptus forests
Day 7Depart from Sydney
- Breakfast and hotel check-out
- Transfer to Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD) for your journey home
How this version is planned
- Activities booked with licensed, insured operators
- Fitness level and experience checked before we confirm each activity
- Weather and season buffers built in for outdoor days
- Travel insurance covering the activities strongly recommended
This is a suggested itinerary. Sightseeing order may change with opening days, weather and local conditions; your final plan is in your written quote.
Good to know
- Cairns & the Great Barrier Reef: Wear a stinger suit when swimming in summer.
- Sydney: Watch the New Year's Eve fireworks on the harbour if you can get there.
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AustraliaCairns & the Great Barrier Reef
Cairns is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest coral reef system, and the Daintree, the world's oldest tropical rainforest.
AustraliaSydney
Sydney is built around one of the world's great harbours, with the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Bondi Beach and the Blue Mountains a day trip away.
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