Home / Destinations / The Whitsundays

The Whitsundays

The destination

One of Australia’s most iconic destinations, the Whitsundays are a group of 74 jewel-like islands that sit right in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef.
Hop from Hamilton to Whitsunday or Long island, relax on Whitehaven Beach – one of the world’s best beaches – or get out on the water in the sailing capital of the country.

Don’t forget about the mainland, though. The Whitsunday Coast has charms of its own, with great beaches, national parks and the buzzing town of Airlie Beach.

How to get there

Air -

Once in Australia, fly into Whitsunday Coast Airport at Proserpine or Great Barrier Reef Airport on Hamilton Island.

The Whitsundays are located approximately 1120 kilometres (695 miles) north of Brisbane and 630 kilometres (390 miles) south of Cairns. The Whitsunday Coast Airport is approximately 25 minutes by car from Airlie Beach.

CAR - 25 minutes by car from Airlie Beach.

Transfer –

Transfer options include Ferries - Fantasea Adventure Cruising and Cruise Whitsundays operate between the mainland and island resorts and the Great Barrier Reef Airport.

Whitsunday Bus Transit– from Proserpine Airport. Taxis, car and limousine hire.

Accommodation

The best way to see all of The Whitsundays might be on a yacht, but there are heaps of dry-land accommodation offers that will have you sailing through your holiday with a smile on your face.

Backpackers have their choice of at least half a dozen hostels in the area
Families can choose between Airlie Beach caravan parks with cabins and camping or resorts.

Families flock to Hamilton Island to take advantage of the holiday packages that are offered as well as the number of activities for little ones. From self-catering apartments and holiday homes to luxury resorts, you'll find accommodation options suited to your holiday needs.

Many of the resorts on the Whitsunday Islands also offer kids clubs, which parents know are worth their weight in gold when you’re on holiday.

Don’t look past Airlie Beach as a family-friendly or budget option either. As a main port-of-call for tours and activities, the town and marina are always buzzing with activity and restaurant and entertainment options are plentiful and at your fingertips.

Places To Visit

You could discover a new island, a new beach or a new snorkel site every day in the Whitsundays. It’s a region jam-packed with bucket-list experiences.
The Whitsundays are Australia’s most famous islands, right in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef. These 74 jewels are blessed with powder-white sands, emerald rainforest, untouched reefs and upscale resorts, as well as the iconic Heart Reef and Whitehaven Beach.

Sail Away

The Whitsundays are made to be explored by boat. Be your own skipper on a bareboat, or charter a boat with a full crew and relax on deck with the wind in your hair (and a glass of champagne in hand).

Dive into the Reef

The Whitsunday islands are at the heart of one of the world’s natural wonders, the Great Barrier Reef. Spend the night on the water on a floating pontoon, snorkel or dive at sites such as Blue Pearl Bay and The Woodpile on Hook Island, venture to secluded islands with a kayak, or see it all from above with a scenic flight.

Find your perfect island

There are 74 islands in the Whitsundays, ranging from well-developed holiday hubs like Hamilton Island to the rugged and mostly uninhabited Hook Island. Most are national parks and surrounded by white sand beaches and colorful reefs.

Cover your toes in white sand

Hundreds of picture-perfect beaches are dotted across the Whitsundays. The best of them all is the award-winning Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island, a 7km strip of powder-white sand that’s been named one of the best in the world. Hire a boat and admire the pure white sand from the water, see it from the vantage point of Hill Inlet lookout or simply dig your toes in on the beach

Airlie Beach

The mainland gateway to the Whitsunday islands, Airlie Beach is surrounded by beaches, lagoons and national parks. When the sun goes down, the town comes alive with sprawling pubs, raucous bars and buzzing nightclubs. Discover Conway National Park, just 15 away, with its rainforest-clad hills, deserted beaches and sweeping views over the Whitsunday Passage.

Proserpine Airport is about 40 minutes from Airlie Beach, with car, taxi and shuttle bus transfers.

Whitsunday Islands

Each of Whitsunday islands has its own special charm. Hamilton Island is the most developed, with bars and restaurants, a large marina and multiple accommodation options, including family-friendly hotels and self-contained apartments. The vast, uninhabited Whitsunday Island is covered in pristine rainforest and boasts the award-winning Whitehaven Beach, a seven-kilometre stretch of brilliant white sand.

Boats depart daily from Airlie Beach to sail to the Whitsundays.

The journey to Hamilton Island takes one hour and you can explore Whitehaven Beach on a half-day tour.

Whitsunday Coast

The Whitsunday Coast is just as impressive as the islands.

Spend a day beach-hopping, swimming, fishing or lazing around Cape Gloucester and seek out the tiny hidden hamlet of Hydeaway Bay, with its long sandy beach and fringing reef. Take a dip in Cedar Creek Falls, surrounded by wild orchids, colourful butterflies and curious turtles.

Fly into Proserpine Airport from Cairns, Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne.
It’s just a short drive from Airlie Beach and the Whitsunday Coast. By car, the region is about 12 hours from Brisbane or seven hours from Cairns.

Daydream Island

Following an extensive redevelopment Daydream Island now offers 277 refurbished modern rooms and suites with the choice of interconnecting rooms for families and special access rooms.

There is an expanded food and beverage offering across the island with three restaurants and three bars including an exciting new Asian Fusion restaurant that joins the buffet and modern Australian restaurants.

The island has a revitalized pool landscape allowing you to swim and enjoy unparalleled views across the Whitsunday’s. The swimming hub is complemented by a poolside bar inclusive of a new burger concept.

The Living Reef also makes its return to the island in an even bigger and better capacity than before, with the free form coral lagoon wrapping 200 meters around the central building and holding over 1.5 million liters of water.

Join the team of marine biologists and over 100 species of marine fish, rays, coral and invertebrates such as starfish, sea cucumbers and crabs.

Hayman Island

In the north of the Whitsundays lie the Hayman Island.

It’s Australia’s iconic private resort that flourishes with natural beauty, restorative peace, indulgence, and adventure. The five-star InterContinental is the only resort on this island and it attaches great importance to environmental protection.

Within this private island resort, stylish elegance reflects the harmony of nature with beautifully appointed accommodation set against the backdrop of the Coral Sea.

In addition to hiking across this mountainous island, you can also participate in various water sports or simply relax by the huge pool.

Get here from Hamilton Island via a luxury yacht in approximately one hour or via helicopter from the mainland.

Hamilton Island

Reef View Hotel:

The Reef View Hotel has many amenities, including a 35-meter swimming pool, the Reef Lounge bar, and in-house Pool Terrace Restaurant serving buffet breakfast, light lunches and à la carte dinner menu. Reef View Hotel guests have complimentary use of non-motorized water sports, and the hotel has a Tours and Activities desk, lobby shop and fully serviced Business Centre. All rooms are spacious and well-appointed, with a furnished balcony, internet access, and bathroom with a separate bath and shower. Garden View rooms have leafy views and ocean glimpses, while each Coral Sea View room has spectacular views over Catseye Bay and nearby Whitsunday Island.

Beach Club:

Romantic, intimate and perfect for couples, the well-appointed boutique rooms of Beach Club have a stylish and relaxed beach house vibe, tailor-made for relaxing. Facing directly onto Catseye Beach, each spacious Beach Club room opens onto a private furnished terrace or balcony with palm-fringed views of the Coral Sea. Hamilton Island's best choice for boutique accommodation, the Beach Club rooms have an elegant seaside décor. With the choice of a king or twin single bed, the well-appointed rooms have an ensuite bathroom with a bath, separate shower and bathrobes. There's everything you need to relax at your fingertips, from surround-sound television and Ezystream complimentary connection to internet access, stereo, and deluxe minibar.

Yacht Club Villas:

The luxury Yacht Club Villas boast a superb waterfront position with breathtaking ocean views. With a design emphasis on privacy and space, each villa spans three to four levels according to the position. Designed by renowned architect Walter Barda with landscaping crafted by celebrity landscape designer Jamie Durie, each four-bedroom villa offers a spacious open plan living/dining room, state-of-the-art gourmet kitchen with Miele appliances, four bedrooms, and four bathrooms, a separate laundry, fully ducted air conditioning and a private golf buggy for guest use.

Qualia:

Nestled in the northernmost tip of Hamilton Island, qualia is a unique expression of world-class luxury. Immersing guests in a relaxed atmosphere, offering personalized and intuitive service, qualia is a truly special place where everything has been meticulously considered to relax the mind yet completely spoil the senses.

3 Nights Hamilton Island/1 Night Airlie Beach

The Whitsundays is one of the most stunning locations in the world: 74 tropical islands located in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of central Queensland. Hop from Hamilton to Hayman, Daydream, Whitsunday or Long island; relax on Whitehaven Beach – consistently voted one of the world’s best beaches – or get out on the water in the sailing capital of the country. The Whitsunday Coast has charms of its own, with great beaches, national parks and the buzzing mainland town of Airlie Beach.

DAY 1

Arrive at Hamilton Island Airport and get transferred to your accommodation.

Morning-

Enjoy the ultimate in Australian luxury at Qualia or the boutique Beach Club. Relax in large rooms and enjoy the magnificent views in the four-star Reef View hotel, or enjoy the convenience of the newly renovated, self-contained Palm Bungalows.

You can also choose to stay at the jaw-droppingly luxurious Yacht Club Villas. Soak in the island’s adventurous side by hiring a buggy and driving around the hotspots to catch all the action on the island, take a dip in the pool or have a swim or just relax by the beach.

Evening- For dinner, you will be spoilt for choice in your search for fine food and wine, from the superb Bommie Restaurant in the iconic Hamilton Island Yacht Club to any number of outstanding restaurants and cafes around the Island.

Day 2

Morning-

Enjoy a unique experience of having breakfast with the Koala’s at Wild Life Hamilton Island. A great activity the whole family will love, WILD LIFE Hamilton Island gives you the opportunity to get up close to some iconic Australian wildlife.

Afternoon-

Head out to the Outer Great Barrier Reef for a day trip to experience breathtaking fish and coral life. Go snorkeling, diving or simply experience the beautiful coral and marine life in a semi-submersible.

Evening- In the evening treat yourself to a fine dining experience at the Beach Club restaurant on Hamilton Island.

Day 3

Take a trip out to Whitehaven Beach on a seaplane, sea the iconic Heart Reef on the way by and land in style to enjoy a picnic on one of the world’s whitest beaches.
End your Hamilton island adventure with a Sunset Cruise and Dine.

Embark on the ultimate dining experience onboard M.V Hamilton Star. Relax, unwind and indulge your senses with a cocktail and appetizers as you set off for a relaxing and peaceful evening cruise around the Whitsundays Islands.

Enjoy a first class a la carte meal- with entrée, main and dessert.

Day 4 - Departure

Take a Quiz