Southern Great Barrier Reef Tourism Hits Record Highs!

The Southern Great Barrier Reef (SGBR) destination is celebrating record-breaking international visitor numbers, cementing its place as one of Queensland’s fastest-growing destinations.

The SGBR destination encompasses the regions of Capricorn Coast region including Rockhampton, Gladstone region including Agnes Water/Town of 1770, Bundaberg region including North Burnett.

The latest data from Tourism Research Australia reveals that international spending across Queensland reached a record $6.9 billion in the year ending June 2025, up 10.6 per cent on the previous year.

Tourists splashed their cash in hotspots like the Gold Coast ($1.5 billion), Tropical North Queensland ($1.2 billion), the Sunshine Coast ($413.4 million), the Whitsundays ($254.0 million), Queensland Country ($149.4 million) and the Southern Great Barrier Reef ($128.4 million) – all hitting new records.

For the Southern Great Barrier Reef (SGBR), international visitation soared to 88,000 (up 9.8%), staying a total of 1.95 million nights (up 70.2%) with an impressive average length of stay of 22.2 nights (up nearly eight nights). International spend per visitor grew to $1,459 – a rise of 52.2%.

Southern Great Barrier Reef International Statistics at a Glance:

• SGBR overnight visitor expenditure to year ending June 2025 was $128.4 million, up 67.1 %, a NEW RECORD
• SGBR international visitors for year ending June 2025 was 88,000, up 9.8% year on year (60,000 of these visitors are here for a holiday, up 8.9%, 19,000 of these visitors are Visiting Friends and Relatives, up 76.3%)
• SGBR international visitor nights was 1.95 million, up 70.2% year on year
• SGBR Average Length of Stay for international visitors is 22.2 nights, up 7.9 nights year on year
• SGBR international Spend per night is $66
• SGBR international Spend per visitor is $1,459, up 52.2% year on year