A trip to the Great Barrier Reef is a must do for any visitor to the region. If you are a vessel owner enjoying our world class Cairns Marlin Marina or a local or tourist in town travelling to the reef with one of the many high quality reef operators, your experience of the reef starts at the Cairns Marlin Marina.
Adjacent to the Reef Fleet Terminal is the large Cairns Regional Council public carpark which provides all day parking for reef visitors. Specific parking and drop off procedures apply to the Reef Fleet Terminal due to the security requirements.
For anyone accessing the reef and/or the Reef Fleet Terminal, procedures exist to cater for persons with disabilities. A vehicle drop down zone is located adjacent to the terminal and you can contact Cairns Airport to provide assistance.
Cairns Marlin Marina, on the edge of the Great Barrier Reef, is Australia’s premier maritime hub, offering a world-class experience to all vessels, from the largest international superyacht, to Australia’s growing private recreational fleet. Cairns is the ideal base from which to experience the Great Barrier Reef, ancient tropical rainforests, idyllic islands and unforgettable cruising and diving. Uniquely located between two world heritage areas; the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest, Cairns is a cosmopolitan city, serviced by international and domestic airports, offering all the amenities associated with a capital city.
The Great Barrier Reef is undisputed as one of the world’s most important natural assets. It is the largest natural feature on earth stretching more than 2,300km along the northeast coast of Australia. Regulations ensure the sustainable use of the Marine Park. These are basic rules for operating which apply to all recreational and commercial users. Most vessels can access almost all areas of the Marine Park without a permit, however, it is advisable to check the current requirements before each visit.
All documents are available on the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority’s web site:
www.gbrmpa.gov.au
T: +61 7 4750 0775
E: tourrec [at] gbrmpa [dot] gov [dot] au
With Cairns ideally positioned on the doorstep of the Great Barrier Reef, the Reef Fleet Terminal enhances the passenger’s experience providing the ultimate departure point to the Reef. The Reef Fleet Terminal is located at the end of Spence Street, between the Pier Shopping Centre and Cairns Harbour Lights and adjacent to the Cairns Marlin Marina. The terminal is the focus of Reef Fleet tourism in Cairns with an estimated minimum of 650,000 passengers departing through the Reef Fleet Terminal annually. For visitors and residents wishing to experience the wonder of the Reef, this terminal enables passengers to discuss their Reef requirements directly with the operators in a central convenient location. The two storey Reef Fleet Terminal has been uniquely designed to process up to 2,000 passengers per day in the peak 8am – 10am period. It also provides office accommodation for operators and retail space for Reef Memories, Tropical Aspects, currency exchange and Al Porto Café and Restaurant. Book your Reef trip directly with the operators including Big Cat Cruises, Great Adventures, Sunlover Cruises, Fitzroy Island Ferries, Reef Magic Cruises, Passions of Paradise, Down Under Dive, Ocean Free and Cairns Habitat Cruises and many others.