Whitsundays

Bordered by the Great Barrier Reef and cradled by the calm waters of the Coral Sea, the Whitsundays lies midway along the Queensland coast of Australia.

A region of only 100 miles (160kms), its coast spans from the beautiful beaches of Bowen in the north to the cane fields and sugar mills of inland Proserpine, south to the gorgeous golf greens of Laguna Whitsundays and east to its 74 tropical islands, only eight of which are inhabited.

From Great Barrier Reef diving and sailing trips to scenic hikes and in-land drives or fabulous spas and food and wine options, there are many ways to experience the Whitsundays.

Visitors can choose from a variety of options to experience the Great Barrier Reef, including snorkelling, diving, day or overnight aquatic cruises to the outer reef or even semi-submersible boats. One of the best ways to view the reef is from the air. Scenic flights offer visitors a bird’s eye view of not only the entire Whitsundays coastal and island area, but also one of its most distinctive features, Heart Reef, a popular choice for couples whether on honeymoon or those about to say "I do".

For those wanting to immerse in the azure waters of the Whitsundays, the region boasts two types of diving locations: inner (fringing) island or the outer Great Barrier Reef. Inner island diving is great for beginner divers and snorkellers because of the sheltered waters. Here, visitors will see colourful coral, tropical fish species and quite possible turtles or reef sharks. The outer reef diving is more varied with both shallow and deeper dive sites. More experienced divers will appreciate the dive conditions and good visibility of the outer reef locations, the option for deeper dives and the chance to spot more diverse and bigger marine life.

On the water, the Whitsundays offers numerous sailing options, whether it’s a sleek maxi racing yacht or an eco-certified tall ship adventure, a ‘bareboat’ where you can chart your own course or a mini cruise liner. Visitors can choose to experience the thrill of a day-tour option or perhaps enjoy a longer stay, spending several days aboard a vessel as it sails the picturesque waterways and islands of the Whitsundays and stops at the region’s stunning beaches, including the world-famous Whitehaven Beach, consistently voted one of the best beaches in the world.

Whitsunday Island, the largest in the group is where you’ll find Whitehaven Beach. This expanse of pure white silica sand stretches on for seven kilometres. Eight of the islands in the Whitsundays are resort islands and all vary in size and style and seem to capture a different mood. The island resorts include Brampton, Daydream, Hamilton, Hayman, Hook, Lindeman, Long and South Molle Island. Each island caters to any desire that visitors may have, from adventure to pure relaxation. Accommodation options range from camping in the national parks to all-inclusive family friendly options and five-plus star resorts for those seeking the utmost in luxury. The islands and resorts are easily accessible by boat or plane from Shute Harbour on the Whitsunday coast or from Hamilton Island.

Natural or man-made, there is plenty of activity on the coast too, including a Great Walk of Queensland. The Whitsunday Great Walk through Conway National Park allows walkers to discover the lush rainforest and local wildlife.

Colourful, cosmopolitan and laidback at the same time, the gateway to the Whitsundays is the coastal community of Airlie Beach. With palm-fringed beaches and the popular Airlie Beach Lagoon, the lively town offers a diverse range of day tours and cruising options, making it the perfect destination - or base - for discovering all that the Whitsundays has to offer. With the Coral Sea on one side and national parks on the other, the area is part of a picturesque peninsula that reaches out to the Whitsunday passage. For visitors there are abundant accommodation options from backpacking facilities, B&Bs and modern hotel suites to deluxe apartments complete with lap pools and ocean views.

The range of activities available in and around Airlie Beach is endless with quad biking, jet skiing, parasailing, sky diving, fishing, horse riding and season whale watching, to name just a few. Nightlife and dining options offer something for all ages.

Must See and Do:

• Sail around the 74 islands of the Whitsundays
• Sleep under the stars on the Great Barrier Reef
• Whitehaven beach
• Relax by Airlie Beach Lagoon or dine seaside on the Esplanade
• Head to the beautiful beaches of Bowen or visit the historic town of Proserpine
• Whale watching or estuarine crocodile spotting
• Scenic flight over Heart Reef to a deserted beach for a private picnic
• Hike through Conway State Forest to Airlie Beach
• Scuba dive off and island or at the outer reef
• Experience a day spa indulgence

For more information go to: Tourism Whitsundays