Great Barrier Reef Small Group Tours & Trip Packages
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ToursAustralia & the PacificAustraliaGreat Barrier Reef

Great Barrier Reef Small Group Tours & Trips

30 Great Barrier Reef trips. Tours from 16 tour companies. 96 reviews. 4.8/5 avg rating.

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Small Group Tour
East Coast Australia Adventure

East Coast Australia Adventure

By Intrepid Travel
premier
4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They’re very committed to sustainable and responsible tourism and contribute to important initiatives like climate action.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate

Visits

Brisbane, Cairns, Daintree, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Sydney

Highlights

  • Witness the expansive and iconic Great Barrier Reef on a snorkelling adventure and see colourful corals and tropical fish as you swim with turtles off the Daintree coast.
  • Take a 4WD adventure through the breathtaking landscape of K'gari (formerly Fraser Island). Ride across sand dunes and vast golden beaches in search of the iconic outback creature – the dingo.
  • Visit Daintree Rainforest – the oldest rainforest in the world – and Cape Tribulation on a stunning day that ticks off two UNESCO World Heritage areas (nature lovers rejoice!).
  • Soak up the beachside vibes of Byron Bay with a free day in this surfer’s haven. Go for a dip in the ocean, take a kayaking tour, listen to buskers by the beach, join a yoga class or just hang loose in a quirky café.
  • Embark on a full-day tour of the Whitsundays, where you’ll head out on a bushwalk to Hill Inlet Lookout, go snorkelling among giant tropical fish and corals and then relax on the 7 km stretch of Whitehaven Beach as the sun descends.

Themes

High Adventure

What travelers are saying

"We joined the Intrepid “Real Italy Food Tour” and enjoyed it thoroughly. Our tour guide, Micol, was very knowledgeable and provided us with lots of good information. It seems Micol knew many of the staff of the venues we visited, including the pasta making class we attended. Our group of 11 travelers was extremely compatible, which greatly added to the fun and enjoyment."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
-26%$8,762
19 days From$6,490
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Sydney to Cairns Adventure

Sydney to Cairns Adventure

By Intrepid Travel
premier
4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They’re very committed to sustainable and responsible tourism and contribute to important initiatives like climate action.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate

Visits

Brisbane, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Sydney

Highlights

  • Take a guided walkabout tour around Sydney Harbour with a local Aboriginal guide who will teach you about local First Nations history, Dreaming and the spiritual connection to Country, while you soak in gorgeous iconic views.
  • Get in touch with Australia’s wilderness and wildlife. Meet cute and cuddly koalas at an animal hospital, look out for whales if the seaosn is right and explore the rainforest and waterfalls in Dorrigo National Park.
  • Plenty of beachtime awaits with stays in Hervey Bay, Byron Bay, Airlie Beach, Mission Beach and afull-day tour of the Whitsundays, including Whitehaven Beach, where you will go snorkelling among giant tropical fish and corals and then relax on the 7 km stretch of beach as the sun descends.
  • Take an incredible 4WD adventure through the breathtaking landscape of K'gari (formerly Fraser Island). Ride across sand dunes and vast golden beaches in search of the iconic outback creature, the dingo.
  • Explore Mungalla Wetlands with a First Nations guide as you search for aquatic birdlife and learn about the history and culture of the Nywaigi people.
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Themes

High Adventure

What travelers are saying

"We joined the Intrepid “Real Italy Food Tour” and enjoyed it thoroughly. Our tour guide, Micol, was very knowledgeable and provided us with lots of good information. It seems Micol knew many of the staff of the venues we visited, including the pasta making class we attended. Our group of 11 travelers was extremely compatible, which greatly added to the fun and enjoyment."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
-31%$5,290
14 days From$3,664
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Best of Australia

Best of Australia

By Intrepid Travel
premier
4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They’re very committed to sustainable and responsible tourism and contribute to important initiatives like climate action.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate

Visits

Alice Springs, Blue Mountains, Cairns, Daintree, Great Barrier Reef, Sydney

Highlights

  • See all the sites of Sydney – a bustling central city along Australia’s East Coast – like the Opera House, Hyde Park plus a tour around the Harbour with a First Nations guide.
  • Visit the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains seeing the gorgeous scenery of Wentworth Falls and the Three Sisters on foot and from above on the skyway.
  • Discover the ever-changing colours of Uluru, one of Australia’s most spiritually significant sites, as you marvel at the epic sandstone monolith at both sunrise and sunset.
  • Embark on a guided walk through Kata Tjuta (formerly known as The Olgas) and short a hike across the famous Kings Canyon plateau.
  • Take a full-day sailing and snorkelling tour of the Great Barrier Reef from Port Douglas, learning about the underwater ecosystem and the fragility of the environment from professional marine biologists.
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Themes

High Adventure

What travelers are saying

"We joined the Intrepid “Real Italy Food Tour” and enjoyed it thoroughly. Our tour guide, Micol, was very knowledgeable and provided us with lots of good information. It seems Micol knew many of the staff of the venues we visited, including the pasta making class we attended. Our group of 11 travelers was extremely compatible, which greatly added to the fun and enjoyment."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
-19%$7,737
12 days From$6,290
More
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Down Under Discovery with Fiji

Down Under Discovery with Fiji

By Globus
none
4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Alice Springs, Auckland, Cairns, Christchurch, Great Barrier Reef, Melbourne, Milford Sound, Mount Cook, Queenstown, Rotorua, Sydney, Waitomo

Highlights

  • Auckland: Sightseeing; dinner atop Sky Tower
  • Waitomo: Visit Waitomo Glowworm Caves
  • Rotorua: Enjoy a Maori cultural performance and Hangi dinner; visit Te Puia, the Agrodome, and Rainbow Springs; behind the-scenes visit at the Kiwi Encounter
  • Mount cook: Sightseeing in Mount Cook National Park; visit the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Center
  • Queenstown: Visit Fiordland National Park and cruise on Milford Sound; cruise on Lake Wakatipu; dinner & farm demonstration at Walter Peak High Country Farm
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Themes

50 plus, Cultural

What travelers are saying

"This tour has amazing sites, good hotels in great locations, great pace BUT the tour director that was assigned to be with our small group added nothing to the experience. He did not give us any info, tell us about what we were seeing, give us any info at all. The only time he talked was to tell us when the next bathroom break would be. Apparently this is common for Globus to use retirees starting another chapter. Our guide was 76 and had no energy. Travel with Gate 1 or Intreped.... guides can make or break a tour."

Trip dates & details
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23 days From$8,379
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Australian Safari

Australian Safari

By Globus
none
4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy

Visits

Adelaide, Alice Springs, Brisbane, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Hobart, Melbourne, Sydney, Tasmania

Themes

50 plus, Cultural

What travelers are saying

"This tour has amazing sites, good hotels in great locations, great pace BUT the tour director that was assigned to be with our small group added nothing to the experience. He did not give us any info, tell us about what we were seeing, give us any info at all. The only time he talked was to tell us when the next bathroom break would be. Apparently this is common for Globus to use retirees starting another chapter. Our guide was 76 and had no energy. Travel with Gate 1 or Intreped.... guides can make or break a tour."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
21 days From$7,019
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Great Sights of Australia

Great Sights of Australia

By Globus
none
4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy

Visits

Brisbane, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Melbourne, Sydney

Themes

50 plus, Cultural

What travelers are saying

"This tour has amazing sites, good hotels in great locations, great pace BUT the tour director that was assigned to be with our small group added nothing to the experience. He did not give us any info, tell us about what we were seeing, give us any info at all. The only time he talked was to tell us when the next bathroom break would be. Apparently this is common for Globus to use retirees starting another chapter. Our guide was 76 and had no energy. Travel with Gate 1 or Intreped.... guides can make or break a tour."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
12 days From$3,979
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Highlights of the South Pacific with Fiji

Highlights of the South Pacific with Fiji

By Globus
none
4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Auckland, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Melbourne, Milford Sound, Queenstown, Rotorua, Sydney, Waitomo

Highlights

  • Auckland : Orientation; excursion to Waiheke Island with winery visit and lunch
  • Waitomo: Visit Waitomo Glowworm Caves
  • Matamata: Visit the Hobbiton movie set from The Lord of the Rings trilogy
  • Rotorua: Visit Waimungu Volcanic Valley; enjoy a Maori cultural performance and Hangi dinner
  • Queenstown: Gondola ride to the top of Bob’s Peak for dinner; visit Fiordland National Park and cruise on Milford Sound
Show more

Themes

50 plus, Cultural

What travelers are saying

"This tour has amazing sites, good hotels in great locations, great pace BUT the tour director that was assigned to be with our small group added nothing to the experience. He did not give us any info, tell us about what we were seeing, give us any info at all. The only time he talked was to tell us when the next bathroom break would be. Apparently this is common for Globus to use retirees starting another chapter. Our guide was 76 and had no energy. Travel with Gate 1 or Intreped.... guides can make or break a tour."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
20 days From$7,699
More
Spectacular Australia with the Historic Ghan Train

Spectacular Australia with the Historic Ghan Train

By Globus
none
4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy

Visits

Adelaide, Alice Springs, Cairns, Darwin, Great Barrier Reef, Hobart, Melbourne, Sydney, Tasmania

Themes

50 plus, Cultural

What travelers are saying

"This tour has amazing sites, good hotels in great locations, great pace BUT the tour director that was assigned to be with our small group added nothing to the experience. He did not give us any info, tell us about what we were seeing, give us any info at all. The only time he talked was to tell us when the next bathroom break would be. Apparently this is common for Globus to use retirees starting another chapter. Our guide was 76 and had no energy. Travel with Gate 1 or Intreped.... guides can make or break a tour."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
20 days From$8,319
More

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Great Barrier Reef Reviews & Ratings

4.8/5  Excellent
96  Reviews
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Excellent
79
Great
25
Average
0
Disappointing
0
Terrible
0
J

Janet

Dec 2016

Provided byG Adventures

This was a trip with our two 30+ daughters and they picked it so they would have others in their own age group and a more active itinerary

This was a trip with our two 30+ daughters and they picked it so they would have others in their own age group and a more active itinerary. I think this hit the mark...

Tour:  Best of Australia

H

Henriette

Dec 2016

Provided byG Adventures

The trip could have been some days longer, so we could have spent some more days in Byron Bay or Port Macquire

The trip could have been some days longer, so we could have spent some more days in Byron Bay or Port Macquire. But overall a very nice tour, with a lot of good acti...

Tour:  Best of Australia

C

Christopher

Dec 2016

Provided byG Adventures

Awesome

Awesome

Tour:  Best of Australia

K

Kate

Dec 2016

Provided byG Adventures

From exploring the rainforest, to snorkelling the reef, to relaxing on the beaches and ending in the amazing city of Sydney

From exploring the rainforest, to snorkelling the reef, to relaxing on the beaches and ending in the amazing city of Sydney...one of the best experiences you can hav...

Tour:  Best of Australia

J

Jane

Dec 2016

Provided byG Adventures

So good I want more

So good I want more!

Tour:  Best of Australia

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Great Barrier Reef Tour Selection Trips

  • The Great Barrier Reef is under threat. Listen to your guides and be respectful of the environment - don't litter, and do your best to leave the reefs as undisturbed as possible.
  • Boat trips among the reef are usually an all day affair - and waters can be choppy. If you get seasick easily, bring a lot of crystalized ginger to eat and/or Dramamine to help. 
  • If you've never snorkeled before, it can be difficult to get the hang of. Your guide and fellow travel companions are sure to have plenty of tips to help you learn quickly. 

Additional details

Top Great Barrier Reef Travel Companies
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