Whitsunday Islands Travel Guide
The Whitsundays are a tropical island archipelago scattered all over the Great Barrier Reef just off the coast of Queensland. Towering forested peaks rise straight up from the Coral Sea and are edged by some of the quietest bays, the whitest beaches and the most beautiful coral reefs you’re ever likely to see.
Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet and Heart Reef are the ones everyone’s heard of and for good reason. But beyond those familiar spots, walking tracks wind their way into the heart of the national park, coral reefs pop up surprisingly close to shore, and you’ll find some pretty remote island campsites hidden behind beaches that can only be accessed by boat.
- Half day
- 7 hours
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- 1 Day
- Returns: 4.30pm
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- 1 Day
- Returns: 4.30pm
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- 60-minute
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- 60 min.
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- $ 335 AUD
- 60 min.
- $ 635 AUD
- $ 335 AUD
Unspoilt Archipelago
There are 74 Whitsunday Islands to explore — they’re actually all part of the old Australian continent: the bit that got left behind as sea levels rose and we were cut off from mainland Australia. Their history is still visible in their shape and outline; unlike coral reefs, which tend to sit low on the horizon, many of the Whitsundays shoot sharply upwards from the sea, their forested island slopes running all the way down to the water.
A big chunk of the Whitsunday Islands National Park and the surrounding waters of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park are right here — and on Whitsunday Island, the largest of the lot, you’ll find eucalypt woodland and rainforest turning into coastal vine forest, mangroves and even stands of hoop pine.
This is Ngaro Country — the Ngaro people have been connected to the islands and the surrounding waters for thousands of years, with archaeological sites proving just how long their history here is.
The name Whitsunday arrived a lot later, when Captain James Cook sailed past the passage between the islands and the mainland way back in June 1770 and named the passage for the day he believed it to be: Whit Sunday.
FAQ
What makes the Whitsunday Islands so famous?
They’re primarily famous for Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet, Heart Reef and the Great Barrier Reef. The archipelago combines protected national park islands, coral reefs, crystal-clear tropical waters and diverse marine life in one spectacular region.
Is Whitehaven Beach part of the Whitsunday Islands?
Yes. Whitehaven Beach sits on Whitsunday Island — the biggest of the 74 — and runs for about seven kilometres. Famous for its white silica-rich sand, its northern end meets Hill Inlet, where a lookout overlooks the shifting patterns created by white sand and turquoise water.
Can you snorkel the Great Barrier Reef in the Whitsundays?
Yes. Whitsundays snorkelling sites include fringing reefs around several islands, including locations around Hook Island and elsewhere in the archipelago. Conditions change with wind, tides and water visibility, so the quality of a particular snorkelling site can vary from day to day.
What's the best time of year to visit the Whitsunday Islands?
You can visit throughout the year, but May to October is popular for generally cooler temperatures, lower humidity and typically drier conditions, making it an appealing period for sailing, hiking and snorkelling. Humpback whale migration also occurs through Queensland waters during the cooler part of the year.
What's the best way to see the Whitsunday Islands?
There are loads of ways to see them — sailing, catamaran, kayak, hiking or scenic flight. Sailing lets you explore channels and secluded bays between islands, hiking takes you into the forested island interiors, and a scenic flight provides an aerial perspective over the region’s best-known natural landmarks.
Experience The Best Of Brisbane
The river is the natural place to start. Ferries and bridges connect the two banks, while riverside walking paths lead between gardens, restaurants and city views.
South Bank Parklands sits directly opposite the Brisbane CBD, bringing together around 15 hectares of parkland, Streets Beach and the Queensland Cultural Centre. Across the river, Queen Street Mall and the 18-hectare City Botanic Gardens offer a mix of busy city streets and quieter waterfront spaces.
Kangaroo Point has some of the best views of the Brisbane skyline and Story Bridge. Nearby, Howard Smith Wharves brings dining and riverside spaces beneath the bridge. New Farm, Fortitude Valley and West End add another mix of parkland, nightlife, leafy streets and charming cafés.
