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Great Barrier Reef Festival

Great Barrier Reef Festival

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Whitsunday Coast Airport Fireworks on the Foreshore
Whitsunday Coast Airport Fireworks on the Foreshore
Whitsunday Coast Airport Fireworks on the Foreshore
Whitsunday Coast Airport Fireworks on the Foreshore
Whitsunday Coast Airport Fireworks on the Foreshore
Whitsunday Coast Airport Fireworks on the Foreshore
Fireworks on the Foreshore
Cruise Reverse Logo - Black & White
Fireworks on the Foreshore
Cruise Reverse Logo - Black & White
Fireworks on the Foreshore
Cruise Reverse Logo - Black & White
Fireworks on the Foreshore
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Immerse
Cruise Reverse Logo - Black & White
Family Fun Day
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2025 Great Barrier Reef Festival

Welcome to the Great Barrier Reef Festival – Where the Reef Meets the Shore

Proudly presented by Cruise Whitsundays, the Great Barrier Reef Festival brings the reef to life in the heart of Airlie Beach, celebrating the Whitsundays’ unique coastal culture with four days of colour, connection, and community.

From the spectacular Friday Night Fireworks and Live Music, to the high-energy fun of Saturday’s Street Parade, Revvin’ the Reef Car Show, and our much-loved Family Fun Day, the festival offers something for everyone—locals and visitors alike.

Dive deeper with Reef Discovery Experiences and guided tours that showcase the magic of the Great Barrier Reef and Whitsunday Islands.

Wander the vibrant foreshore and explore Immerse, our signature reef-themed art installation made entirely from recycled materials—a creative celebration of sustainability and ocean life.

Whether you’re here for the reef adventures, the live entertainment, the art, or the family-friendly vibes, the Great Barrier Reef Festival is Airlie Beach’s premier event—a place where the reef meets the streets and everyone is invited.

Join us this August and be part of something truly great.

Explore the Festival

Festival Program
Download Program

Events

Great Barrier Reef Festival 2025

Great Barrier Reef Festival 2025

01/08/2025 - 03/08/2025
All Day
More Info
Immerse Art Installations

Immerse Art Installations

01/08/2025 - 03/08/2025
All Day
More Info
Camira Twilight & Fireworks Cruise

Camira Twilight & Fireworks Cruise

01/08/2025
5:30 pm - 8:45 pm
Book Now
Street Parade

Street Parade

02/08/2025
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
More Info
       
View all Events

Keep checking back to the website as we update events

See the latest on Instagram

🌏 Join the movement tomorrow! 🌿 Coral Sea Ma 🌏 Join the movement tomorrow! 🌿
Coral Sea Marina, in partnership with Coral Sea Academy and Tangaroa Blue, is hosting a Clean Up Australia Day event — and you’re invited to help protect our stunning Whitsunday coastline. 🌊

📅 When: Tomorrow, Sunday March 2nd
📍 Where: Meeting Point D, Coral Sea Marina
🕒 Time: From 8:30 AM
💦Bring your hats, sunscreen and plenty of water!

Let’s come together to make a positive impact — every piece of litter removed is a step toward a cleaner, greener future!

Find out more and get involved: @coralseamarina 

#CleanUpAustraliaDay #CoralSeaMarina #CoralSeaAcademy #TangaroaBlue #ProtectOurPlanet #Whitsundays
What an incredible night for SO MANY of our phenom What an incredible night for SO MANY of our phenomenal sponsors! 🥇🥈🥉 Walking away with Gold, Silver, and Bronze wins, at the 2024 @theqtic Awards.

@cruisewhitsundays – SILVER for Unique accommodation
@oceanrafting – GOLD for Major Tour and Transport Operators & BRONZE Adventure Tourism
@big4adventurewhitsunday – GOLD Caravan and Holiday Parks & GOLD Excellence in Accessible Tourism
@boathouse_apartments – BRONZE 4-4.5 Star Deluxe Accommodation
@redcatadventures – SILVER for Major Tour and Transport Operators
@iconicwhitsunday – SILVER Tour and Transport Operators
Bowen Visitor Information Centre (@bowentourism) – BRONZE Visitor Information Services

Special mention to Elizabeth Hackett awarded the prestigious Marie Watson-Blake Award for Outstanding Contribution by an individual.
🏆 The Whitsundays has been nominated for Best A 🏆 The Whitsundays has been nominated for Best Adventure Destination in Australia and New Zealand at the @adventuretourismawards!

This is more than just an award – it's recognition of our region’s breathtaking landscapes, adrenaline-packed activities, and unforgettable experiences. From heart-pounding reef dives and thrilling sailing adventures to hiking through ancient rainforests and exploring our iconic Whitehaven Beach 🏞️

Let's show the world why our little slice of paradise deserves to take the crown! 
🗳️ Vote now to help the Whitsundays win!

#Whitsundays #AdventureDestination #BestOfAustraliaNZ #WhitsundaysAdventures #WhitehavenBeach #GreatBarrierReef #TravelAwards #ExploreWhitsundays #WhitsundaysTourism #AdrenalineJunkie #ReefDiving #RainforestHikes #ScenicViews #BucketListDestination #WhitsundaysNominated #ParadiseFound #ExploreAustralia #TravelWhitsundays #AdventureTravel #WhitsundaysExperience #IslandLife #DiscoverWhitsundays #SupportLocalTourism #VoteForWhitsundays #LoveWhitsundays
WE WON GOLD! WE WON GOLD!
Reliving the magic of the @reeffestival Immerse ar Reliving the magic of the @reeffestival Immerse art installation. The stunning artwork brought the magic of our oceans to life, leaving us in awe. Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating the beauty of the reef. 🎨 🪸🐳

"Immerse - stories from the heart of the Great Barrier Reef" is supported by the Queensland Government through @artsqueensland

#Love Whitsundays #GBRFestival #ImmerseArt #FestivalAustralia #LoveTheReef #GreatBarrierReef #ReefConservation #Whitsundays #OceanArt #ReefRestoration #SupportLocalArtists #WhitsundayLife #GreatBarrierReef #ReefConservation #Whitsundays #OceanArt #ReefRestoration #SupportLocalArtists #WhitsundayLife
📢Voting closes tonight for the People’s Choic 📢Voting closes tonight for the People’s Choice Award! 📢

The Great Barrier Reef Festival is up for the People’s Choice Award, and we need your help to take the top spot! 🎉 We’re up against some big fish (pun intended 🐟), so let’s show them who rules the reef! 💪

Hit the link below and vote ‘Great Barrier Reef Festival’ as your favourite experience – it takes just a few seconds! ⏰ Help us make a splash and bring home the win! 🏆

🚨 ️Voting link in bio. 

#ReefFestival2024 #Whitsundays #LoveWhitsundays #AirlieBeach #SupportLocal #WhitsundayEvents #FestivalVibes #LocalLove #ReefFest #VoteForUs #FestivalFun #ReefLovers #PeoplesChoice #CommunitySpirit #LoveOurReef #FestivalVibes #VoteForTheReef #GreatBarrierReef #ShowYourSupport

Latest Posts

Itinerary – 2024 Great Barrier Reef Festival

The 2024 Cruise Whitsundays Great Barrier Reef Festival is back! We have detailed the Itinerary below to help you get

Itinerary – Great Barrier Reef Festival

It’s finally here, the 2023 Cruise Whitsundays Great Barrier Reef Festival! We’ve compiled some itineraries for each day to help

Great Barrier Reef Festival 2022

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The Cruise Whitsundays Great Barrier Reef Festival is thrilled to announce an incredible entertainment lineup for this year’s highly anticipated

Who are the Master Reef Guides

Master Reef Guides are an exemplary addition to reef education, the program was developed by the Great Barrier Reef Marine

Art and Reef merge at the Cruise Whitsundays Great Barrier Reef Festival

The Great Barrier Reef comes alive in the Immerse 2023 art installation at this year’s Cruise Whitsundays Great Barrier Reef

The Cruise Whitsundays Great Barrier Reef Festival is Back for a Whale of a Time

The biggest annual celebration of the Great Barrier Reef and unique coastal lifestyle of The Whitsundays will be on again

Calling all Volunteers

Great Barrier Reef Festival are calling for new volunteers In celebration of Volunteering Australia and volunteer week 2023, we are

Protecting What We Love

Festival events at the heart of conserving our Great Barrier Reef Festivities and fireworks aren’t the only side to the

Heart to Heart on the Great Barrier Reef

Festival offers opportunity of a lifetime with Master Reef Guides Eleven of Australia’s most passionate advocates for the Great Barrier

That’s Entertainment!

Great Barrier Reef Festival experiences you won’t want to miss Behind the scenes a team of volunteers has been busily

Immerse at Great Barrier Reef Festival

Immerse Yourself in the Great Barrier Reef

Festival’s callout to community and creators for visual arts events There will be plenty of ways to ‘immerse’ yourself in

Learn From The ‘Masters’

Festival Experience A ‘First’ For Great Barrier Reef  The Whitsundays’ annual Great Barrier Reef Festival is renowned for being a

The Comedy Gala is a Go !

It will be all laughs at the Reef Gateway Hotel on Thursday, September 23, when the venue finally gets to

Creating an underwater marine wonderland

The community is being invited to be involved in an art installation project to transform a large fig tree in

Anything Environmental Recyclable Regatta

Get ready for Recyclable Regatta

IF YOU want to be involved in this year’s Recyclable Regatta as part of the Great Barrier Reef Festival, now

Immerse

Art project to be part of 2021 reef festival

An art installation project will be a feature of this year’s Great Barrier Reef Festival to be held in August.

Volunteers Great Barrier Reef Festival

Call for Volunteers

Would you like to become involved in the community and learn new skills?   The Great Barrier Reef Festival is looking

Putting the ‘great’ into Great Barrier Reef Festival

When the inaugural Great Barrier Reef Festival started on Thursday, a team of volunteers held their breath. Although this was

Take an exclusive tour to the Whitsundays’ underwater art

Be a part of something unique – the first and only artist talks and tours to the Whitsundays’ Ngaro Underwater

Festival fever hits Airlie Beach

For six solid months a small but merry band of volunteers has been working hard on the Whitsundays’ favourite Great

New direction for Rotary Street Parade

The Great Barrier Reef Festival’s Rotary Street Parade is heading in a new direction this year. Rather than starting on

Festival fun for families to treasure

Few things in life are more precious than family time but this isn’t the only treasure the Great Barrier Reef

View all Posts

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