Everyone seems to go to the area near Cairns....is there areas for tourist that dont want to go that far north to visit the reef?

This link may be useful http://www.auinfo.com/great-barrier-reef.htm

The reef extends something like 1000 miles up the Queensland coast roughly from Bundaberg in the south to the tip of Cape York in the north. Thus, you can access the reef from several places on the mainland including the following cities/towns south of Cairns: Townsville, Airlie Beach, Mackay, Gladstone, and Bundaberg. One of my favorite places on the reef, Heron Island - off Gladstone, about 5 hrs drive north of Brisbane - is well to the south of Cairns.

Thanks Ralph! Thats just what I need to know

The GBR goes almost to Papua New Guinea, a bit north of 10*S. I'm in a pedantic mood today.