Whitsunday Region - Marooned happiness

The Whitsundays describes 74 islands and the Queensland mainland coast from Mackay to Townsville. The climate is warm all year around, with an average temperature of 27.4 degrees Celsius (80 degrees Fahrenheit). The days are long and leisurely with an average of eight-and-a-half hours of sunlight to each day.

The idyllic scene is set; the tough part is deciding where in paradise to begin.

The coastal centre is Airlie Beach, a cosmopolitan village that offers a good base to access the islands, entertainment, community markets, and regular jazz at the local club. From Airlie, you can take a series of day trips or larger cruises around the islands, or head for a longer island stay.

Most of the islands in the Whitsundays are uninhabited and many are national parks. Seven islands hold resorts, of varying accommodation standards. You can explore the others by boat, either skippered or on your own.

The islands include spectacular Whitsunday Island, Whitehaven, with white, soft sand, Daydream, Hook, Lindeman Island, Long Island, dreamy South Molle and Brampton Island. Hamilton Island, with its five-star resort, is the scene for Hamilton Island Race week every year.

The pleasures of these tropical islands are many. Take a reef trip, dive, snorkel, swim, fish, take a satisfying, long trek in the lush, green rainforests, or admire coral through a glass-bottomed boat. From July to September, you can catch glimpses of humpback whales on their annual pilgrimage.

Articles

A coral wonderland

A coral wonderland

Coral gardens lace nearly every Whitsunday island, but it's also easy to take a boat to the Great Barrier Reef itself. Dive sites are dotted up and down the reef and qualified instructors will guide you through an encounter with tranquil marine life.


Cruising reef waters

Cruising reef waters

Much of the Great Barrier Reef is ideal for cruising or sailing, with islands providing idyllic sheltered waters and safe havens. Overnight, week-long or extended trips are on offer for those who love the wind in their hair and the sun on their face.


Discover tropical national parks

Discover tropical national parks

The region is a bounty of national parks, and many invite trekking and camping. Three make a backdrop to Airlie Beach, and many of the Whitsunday islands are entirely national parks. Others contain protected green chunks surrounding idyllic resorts.


Dive down to the coral

Dive down to the coral

The clear, warm waters of the Whitsundays invite divers from around the world. Great visibility, and abundant marine life await! Coral gardens lace nearly every Whitsunday island, and it's also easy to take a boat to the Great Barrier Reef itself. Dive sites are dotted up and down the reef and qualified instructors will guide you through an encounter with tranquil marine life. Day and extended dive trips are available to make the most of your coral adventure.


Diving the coral depths

Diving the coral depths

The Great Barrier Reef is a scuba diver's paradise. Queensland's warm subtropical climate is perfect for year-round diving and the water is clearer than crystal. Introductory dives and lessons are readily available along the length of the reef.  more


Get happily marooned

Get happily marooned

The seven Whitsunday resort islands – offering lodgings from budget to luxury - promise care-free days and a rich diversity of fun: parasailing, swimming, fishing, bushwalking, diving and coral viewing.


Sail in sheltered waters

Sail in sheltered waters

There's no better place to sail than the Whitsundays, sheltered from the open ocean by the Great Barrier Reef and laden with frequent, secluded anchorages. Be your own skipper or charter a crew.  more


Sail the Whitsundays

Sail the Whitsundays

There's no better place in the world to sail than the Whitsundays, sheltered from the open ocean by the Great Barrier Reef and laden with frequent, secluded anchorages. Be your own skipper or charter a crew for a superb way to explore these waters.  more


The world's best beaches

The world's best beaches

Recognised as one of the world's best beaches, Whitehaven Beach is found on Whitsunday Island. Perfect for swimming, its pure white silica sands slope to clear, warm blue water, mostly shallow and calm.


White-sand best beaches

White-sand best beaches

The Whitsundays shelter the world's best beaches, particularly Whitsunday Island and its heavenly Whitehaven Beach. Ideal for swimming, its pure white sands slope to clear, warm, blue water, shallow and calm enough for snorkelling amid fishes and rays.


Whitsunday coral gardens

Whitsunday coral gardens

Coral gardens lace nearly every Whitsunday island, offering sheltered spots for snorkelling, diving and relaxing line-of-sight sailing in the tropical waters. Visitors thrill to see the coral formation of Heart Shaped Reef at beautiful Hardys Reef.


Queensland
Tropical North Queensland Townsville The Whitsunday's Mackay Rockhampton & Capricorn Gladstone Bundaberg and the Coral Islands Fraser Coast and South Burnett The Sunshine Coast Toowoomba & Golden West Brisbane The Gold Coast Southern Downs Western Downs Outback Queensland Queensland Northern Territory Western Australia South Australia New South Wales Australian Capital Territory Victoria Tasmainia

Quick links

Region Information

Whitsunday

Travel Information

Accommodation Attractions Tours & Cruises Food & Wine Maps Transport Events

Whitsunday Weather