Whitsundays Things To Do

Central Queensland coast · The Whitsunday Islands

Whitehaven Beach and the 74 Reef Islands of the Whitsundays

The Whitsundays are 74 islands on the Great Barrier Reef off Queensland's central coast, about 1,120km north of Brisbane. Most visitors stay in Airlie Beach on the mainland or on Hamilton Island, which has its own airport. Cruise Whitsundays ferries link Airlie Beach to Daydream and Hamilton islands in about 60 minutes; Whitehaven Beach, the outer reef and the other islands are reached by day cruise, sailing trip or scenic flight.

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  • Airports: Proserpine PPP and Hamilton Island HTI
  • Ferries from Port of Airlie and Shute Harbour
  • Airlie Beach to Hamilton Island ferry about 60 min
  • Heart Reef seen by scenic flight only

Why visit the Whitsundays

  1. Whitehaven's silica sand

    Over seven kilometres of pure white silica sand on Whitsunday Island, with the Hill Inlet lookout over shifting tidal patterns at its northern end.

  2. Outer reef day trips

    Full-day tours run to Hardy Reef from Airlie Beach, Hamilton Island and Daydream Island; Cruise Whitsundays goes to the Reefworld Pontoon.

  3. Heart Reef from the air

    The heart-shaped reef is protected, so there is no swimming or snorkelling. Helicopters, seaplanes and fixed-wing aircraft fly over it.

  4. Sailing between islands

    Join a single-day or multi-day cruise, or go bareboating and skipper your own boat through the archipelago.

  5. Ngaro Sea Trail walks

    Island walks from under 3km to 8km return on Whitsunday, Hook and South Molle islands, with ancient Ngaro rock art along the way.

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Things to do in Whitsundays

Where to stay

Airlie Beach

First-timers and backpackers

Mainland town with the widest choice of stays, tours and amenities, and the busiest departure point for the islands and reef. Port of Airlie is a 15-minute walk from the main street.

Quick pick

Hamilton Island

Resort stays

Upscale resort island with its own airport, its own island and reef tours, ATV adventures and wildlife encounters. Ferries connect it to Airlie Beach.

Quick pick

Daydream Island

Families

The closest of the 74 islands to Airlie Beach, with a single resort, Daydream Island Resort. The Airlie–Hamilton ferry stops here on the way.

Quick pick

Bowen

A slower beach town

Town on Edgecumbe Bay, 45 minutes north of Airlie Beach, with the Big Mango, snorkelling off Horseshoe Bay, views from Flagstaff Hill and murals across town.

Quick pick

On the water

Divers and adventure seekers

Overnight sailing trips keep you between the islands and reef for several days, with dive and snorkel stops built in.

Quick pick

When to go

  1. June–August

    Dry, mild days, humpback whales and the fullest events calendar; August has Airlie Beach and Hamilton Island race weeks back to back. Winter school holidays are busy.

  2. September–October

    Dry and warm, and September is the calmest month for time on the water. The higher stinger-risk window starts in October.

  3. December–February

    Hottest days, greenest islands and heavy afternoon storms; also cyclone and stinger season. Summer school holidays crowd Airlie Beach, and Bowen's mango harvest is on.

  4. March–May

    The quietest stretch as humidity drops away, with the first humpbacks arriving in May. Easter is busy and stingers are still a risk.

Practical tips

  • A hire car is the easiest way around the mainland; Whitsunday Transit route 860 runs Proserpine to Shute Harbour via Cannonvale and Airlie Beach.
  • Pre-book Cruise Whitsundays ferry tickets if you travel during the peak seasons.
  • For national park camping, book your boat transfer first, then buy your QPWS permit and display it on your tent.
  • From October to May, swim in stinger suits or use the Airlie Beach Lagoon, which is stinger free all year.
  • The Spirit of Queensland train stops at Proserpine, where a Whitsunday Transit bus connects to Shute Harbour.

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