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Whitsundays – Land of the never-ending weekend

Forget your passport – the Whitsundays is a jaw-droppingly beautiful and internationally renowned holiday hub right here in Australia, writes Danielle Krista.

WHITSUNDAY ISLANDS
Discovered: 1770
Islands: 74
Resorts: 8
Visitors: 500,000/year

74 Island Wonders

Lying along the Queensland coast, and dotted with hundreds of tropical islands, the Whitsundays experience is one that will remain unforgettable. In the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, lie the 74 magnificent islands of the Whitsundays waiting for you to indulge.

Named by Lt James Cook in 1770, the Whitsunday islands are the largest group of offshore islands in Australia. The region’s sparkling azure seas, cradled by the Great Barrier Reef, are dotted with an array of national park islands, coral cays, fringing coral reefs and stunning beaches. For a truly memorable visit to the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef the Whitsundays has it all – a veritable feast of indulgent experiences all within short distance of each other and the Great Barrier Reef.

By far the majority of the Whitsunday islands are designated national park, leaving them uninhabited and in their purest natural state for all to enjoy. Of the 74, eight islands are inhabited with island resorts offering a range of accommodation and attractions.

The Great Barrier Reef and Diving

The Whitsundays lie at the centre of the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef, one of the world’s seven natural wonders and the only living structure visible from space. Stretching over 2,500km in length, the Great Barrier Reef protects the Whitsundays from ocean swells, providing the region with calm, protected waters in which to enjoy this aquatic wonderland. A large variety of day and overnight tours depart the Whitsunday Coast and islands to the Great Barrier Reef each day. The ‘outer’ Great Barrier Reef is around 50 nautical miles off the Whitsunday Coast, just a short two hour boat ride, yet you will feel worlds away as you indulge in its beauty from above, on and below the water. Snorkelling and scuba diving offer stunning scenery of thousands of species of brightly coloured fish and brilliantly coloured corals, and a diverse marine life including humpback whales, dolphins, turtles and dugong. Iconic Whitsunday scuba dive sites such as the ‘Stepping Stones’ and the ‘Cathedral’ are simply stunning to explore and local scuba dive companies cater for every skill level from novice to dive master. You can do a short dive on the outer reef on a day tour, or multiple dives at multiple reef systems on an overnight diving trip. The Whitsunday islands and coast all have fringing reefs of coral gardens, with abundant marine life to explore. At some beaches it is possible to walk straight off the beach to snorkel over stunning fringing reefs.

In the Heart of the Reef

The Whitsundays is quite literally situated in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef. Heart Reef is a beautiful composition of coral that has naturally formed into the shape of a heart. Located within Hardy Reef, Heart Reef is best experienced from the air by helicopter or seaplane and seeing it is an experience you will never forget. Many tour companies combine a visit to Heart Reef with trips to other breathtaking locations in the Whitsundays.

Whitehaven Beach

The crystal clear aqua waters and pristine white silica sand of Whitehaven Beach stretch over seven kilometres along Whitsunday Island, the largest of the 74 islands in the Whitsundays. This beach defines nature at its best and provides visitors with an immense sense of relaxation, escape and wonder. The breathtaking beauty of Whitehaven makes it not only a Whitsundays icon, but regularly named in the top ten beaches in the world and the recipient of countless awards for its beauty, cleanliness and environmental protection.

At the northern end of the beach is Hill Inlet, a stunning cove where the tide shifts the sand and the water to create a beautiful, swirling fusion of colours. A short but beautiful walk winds through the tropical rainforest of Whitsunday Island leading to a spectacular lookout over Hill Inlet and down the length of Whitehaven Beach.

“Each organised cruise has experienced skippers with a story or two to tell, deck hands to assist and an important ingredient, the chef!”

“The Whitsundays is quite literally situated in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef.”

180008 WHITEHAVEN BEACHGetting There

By Air

The Whitsundays is serviced by two domestic airports – Great Barrier Reef Airport (Hamilton Island) and Whitsunday Coast Airport (Proserpine), with daily direct flights from Cairns, Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne, and connecting flights from other major cities.

By Road

The Bruce Highway is the major road linking Queensland’s coastal cities and towns from Brisbane to Cairns. The Bruce Highway runs through Proserpine and Bowen on the Whitsunday Coast. Airlie Beach is located approximately 20 minutes off the Bruce Highway from Proserpine along Shute Harbour Road. Major coach operators include the Whitsundays in their regular scheduled services from major cities along the coast.

By Rail

Queensland Rail services to the Proserpine Station on the Whitsunday Coast include the Tilt Train and The Sunlander. These trains link the Whitsundays to the coastal centres between Brisbane and Cairns. Coach transfers between Proserpine and Airlie Beach are included in rail travel passes.

At the southern end of the beach are striking rock formations and fringing coral reefs, as well as facilities for day visitors including toilets. Another short walk departs from the southern end of the beach offering stunning views over Whitehaven to Haslewood Island. Overnight campers can stay in the allocated camping spots with a permit.

Whitehaven Beach can be accessed in several ways. Many motor cruisers and sailing yachts offer day trips that depart from Airlie Beach and some island resorts. A variety of sailing companies offer overnight tours that include a visit to Whitehaven Beach as well as other locations around the Whitsunday islands. The more adventurous can try ocean rafting, sea kayaking or a jet boat trip out to Whitehaven, or for the ultimate experience, travel by seaplane or helicopter for a spectacular view of Whitehaven and Hill Inlet before indulging in a picnic on a private part of the beach.

Smooth Sailing

The Whitsundays offers some of the world’s best sailing and cruising holidays for two simple reasons – the islands provide protection from the elements and each of the islands offers an array of unique beauty to experience the true serenity that only a sailing holiday can bring.

With the destination a firm favourite in any novice or expert sailor’s book, all you have to do is choose if you want to go on your own adventure of discovery, or have a professional skipper lead your voyage. Bareboating (skipper yourself) holidays provide a chance to experience the magic of the Whitsundays at your own pace. While some boating experience is preferred to charter a yacht or motor cruiser, there are no formal qualifications needed to skipper yourself on a sailing holiday in paradise.

If you want to meet new people from around the world, and let others do the work for you, a package sailing holiday for 1, 2 or 3 nights is perfect. The choice of vessels is extensive; experience a maxi racing yacht, or sail as Lt James Cook did when he discovered the Whitsundays on a traditional tall ship. You will sail to the top destinations for beach combing, snorkelling, diving and that perfect sunset. Each organised cruise has experienced skippers with a story or two to tell, deck hands to assist and an important ingredient, the chef!

“Check out the local talent at some of the restaurants and cafes in Airlie Beach…”

Whatever your choice, when you first step aboard your vessel you will feel invigorated with the anticipation of your sailing adventure. You are guaranteed fun, excitement, relaxation and exploration. You’ll have an experience that you will treasure forever and see a sunset you will never forget.

The Whitsunday Coast

The Whitsunday Coast is a cosmopolitan and inviting peninsula that stretches from the central town of Airlie Beach to stunning and secluded beaches along the coastline and inland to picturesque hinterland. Airlie Beach provides the ideal mainland base for holiday fun and adventure in the Whitsundays, where accommodation styles are as varied as the accents that can be heard in the main street. Backpacking hostels, luxury apartments and villas set on the hillsides are the ideal base for watching stunning sunsets over the islands and launching your holiday activities on the water.

To the north, Bowen is a sleepy seaside town which boasts seven beautiful beaches that remain largely undiscovered by tourists.

Inland, Proserpine and Collinsville are both charming towns, each with something different to discover and explore. There are also several resorts and caravan parks located at the various secluded beaches dotted up the coastline of the Whitsundays.

The Whitsunday Islands

Of the 74, only eight islands are inhabited with island resorts offering a range of accommodation and attractions. Indulgent island experiences all lie within a short distance of each other, making the Whitsundays the ‘island capital’ of the Great Barrier Reef. Whether it is eco-style, family friendly, all-inclusive, activity based, food-and-wine focused or pure luxury, there is a resort experience to suit everyone. The island resorts provide a stunning location from which to enjoy the region, and there are countless ‘must do’ island and reef experiences in the Whitsundays. On the remaining deserted islands, there are multiple campsites with a range of facilities for you to set up your own ‘castaway’ holiday.

TOP TEN Whitsunday

TOP TEN… tips for a romantic getaway

  1. Take a sunset cruise from Airlie Beach or an island resort.
  2. Bond with your partner by learning to sail together.
  3. Take a scenic flight over Heart Reef.
  4. Have a picnic lunch on a deserted beach.
  5. Enjoy nature and take a walk on the Whitsunday Great Walk, or one of the many island walks.
  6. Be pampered together at a day spa.
  7. Go snorkeling hand in hand, discovering some 1500 species of fish and 400 types of coral.
  8. Get into each other’s rhythm by kayaking together.
  9. Share a delectable local seafood platter.
  10. Soak up the sun’s rays lying on beach towels on beautiful beaches.

TOP TEN… family experiences

  1. Swimming, playing and barbecuing at the Airlie Beach Lagoon.
  2. Playing mini golf at Daydream Island. While you’re there, ‘oh and ah’ at the world’s largest open air aquarium.
  3. Snorkelling, swimming and water sliding at the Great Barrier Reef.
  4. Staying at Big 4 Adventure Whitsunday, the kids’ specialists – with so many kids activities and facilities to keep the kids entertained.
  5. Fishing from the Shute Harbour Pontoon or in many of the secret spots along the coastline.
  6. Camping on a deserted island (QPWS permits required). Maybe you could look for lost treasure!
  7. Croc spotting on the Proserpine River.
  8. Swimming at Cedar Creek Falls.
  9. Scuba diving lesson (kids can do the ‘Bubblemaker’ experience from age 8).
  10. Feed the birds and pat the wallabies at Long Island Resort.

TOP TEN… free things to do

  1. Evening Entertainment: Check out the local talent at some of the restaurants and cafes in Airlie Beach offering regular live music, Saturday night pool comp at Terraces Restaurant and Bar or the regular Bar Flair shows at Cactus Jacks and Airlie Beach Hotel.
  2. Markets: The Airlie Beach Markets are situated on the Airlie foreshore each Saturday. There’s markets in Bowen every Sunday, and the Whitsundays Farmers Markets on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month in Proserpine.
  3. Cedar Creek Falls is spectacular in the tropical green season and offer a year-round natural swimming pool at the base of the falls. There are also bush walks around the falls.
  4. Whitsunday Great Walk: This beautiful forest contains lowland tropical rainforest remnants and picturesque rocky creeks. You may see the blue flash of a Ulysses butterfly after rain, smell lemon myrtle flowers in summer, or hear the distinctive call of the wompoo fruit-dove when the trees around you are fruiting.
  5. The Airlie Beach Lagoon is situated right in the heart of Airlie Beach and has become the focal point of the area. The sandy beach area at one end provides a safe stinger free environment for the children to play in the shallows and the lagoon is surrounded by landscaped gardens for added aesthetic appeal.
  6. Catch a ‘Barra’: Tucked away just 30 minutes inland from Proserpine is Peter Faust Dam. Grab a hand line or rig up your best fishing gear and hope to land a prized barramundi – the prince of freshwater catches.
  7. The Whitsunday Sailing Club conducts Twilight Yacht Racing every Wednesday between 3.00 p.m. and 7.00 p.m. You can be part of the Whitsundays sailing experience, as yachts are often short of crew, even novices. Ring in advance for the club to match you with a boat.
  8. Boathaven Beach situated on the peninsula in Airlie Beach and known as The Beacons and is the perfect spot for a picnic. Boasting soft, white sand you can make yourself comfortable and enjoy a day of swimming and sunbathing with views of the Coral Sea and islands beyond.
  9. Eco Barge Clean Seas Inc. operates the Marine Debris Removal Program for the Whitsunday Islands and coastlines. They offer volunteers a unique, hands-on conservation experience where you can spend a day picking up marine debris on the beaches and coastlines of the spectacular Whitsunday Islands.
  10. If you have a bike, why not join the local ‘Ride Whitsundays’ riders at 8am on a Saturday morning for a social ride. Meeting at the Airlie Lagoon Broadwater Avenue car park, you can bring any bike, you don’t have to wear lycra and you don’t need to be fast. Beginners are welcome.

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