The Whitsunday Islands Holidays

Where are the Whitsunday Islands?
The Whitsunday Islands are located off Australia’s Queensland central coast and form the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Access to the islands range from daily boat transfers from the pretty mainland gateway of Airlie Beach to direct flights from most major Australia cities directly onto Hamilton Island where, dependent on where you are staying, onward transfers can be arranged by catamaran, luxury yacht or helicopter.

Read more

Which island?
Family favourite Daydream Island is one of the closest to the mainland, while tiny Hayman Island is the most northerly of the Whitsunday Islands. It’s the nearest to the Great Barrier Reef and is home to the ultra-luxurious InterContinental Hayman Island Resort. Hamilton Island is the Whitsundays’ little slice of resort paradise – where roads are ruled by golf buggies and celebrities flock en masse. It’s a hub of activities; hike to Passage Peak for the five-star views or take the ferry to tee off on a golf course located on its own private island. Come here if you want to day trip across to Whitehaven Beach; its eye-catchingly white, pure-silica sand is world famous for a reason.

Read more

Airlie Beach
Best known as a departure point for the Whitsunday Islands and Great Barrier Reef, pretty Airlie Beach has a lovely, relaxed atmosphere, excellent restaurants, a live music scene and a wonderful artificial oceanfront lagoon (local beaches are small and not recommended for swimming). Most boats to the Whitsundays depart from Shute Harbour, while flights to Hamilton Island (and seaplane trips) depart from Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast) airport.

Read more

Whitehaven Beach
Often described as one of the best beaches in the world, Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island boasts pure white silica sand and stretches for over four miles. At Hill Inlet at the northern end of the beach, the clear turquoise waters swirl with the silica sand to create a breathtaking pattern that’s quite remarkable. Walk up to the lookout at Tongue Point for views of Hill Inlet – make sure it’s at low tide for the best experience.

Read more