WHITSUNDAY ISLANDS
We've selected the top nine Whitsunday islands to showcase here, chosen by accessibility, natural beauty, and general appeal. Each one is described in detail, including the services available on each.
BRAMPTON ISLAND
|
DAYDREAM ISLAND
|
HAMILTON ISLAND
|
|
HAYMAN ISLAND
|
HOOK ISLAND
|
LINDEMAN ISLAND
|
|
LONG ISLAND
|
SOUTH MOLLE ISLAND
|
WHITSUNDAY ISLAND
|
It's hard to imagine as you're sailing the magnificent Whitsundays, but these islands were once mountain peaks on the Australian mainland. After the last ice age, rising oceans drowned the valleys between the mountains, creating 74 islands from the highest peaks, the shining jewels of Tropical North Queensland's crown. Today, these islands are renowned for their luxury resorts, but there are a great range of accommodation options and activities to suit every taste and budget. It's a bit cliche, but there really is something for everyone in the Whitsundays.It was Captain James Cook, the man credited with the DISCOVERY of Australia, who gave the Whitsundays their name on his journey up the east coast in 1770. He passed through the narrow channel between the mainland and the islands on Sunday 4th June (the seventh Sunday after easter, which is known as 'Whit Sunday'). It is now widely accepted that he didn't actually pass through on this date, as he had failed to take into account the yet to be brought into existence International Date Line.
The Whitsundays started to attract tourists in the early 1930's, with the construction of a 'resort' on Daydream Island. Consisting of unfloored timber huts, with iron roofs and iron windows, the first Whitsunday Islands tourist resort was a far cry from the unmitigated luxury that can be found in some of our island resorts today.
ATTRACTIONS AND THINGS TO DO - WHITSUNDAYS
There are a wide range of one-day trips to the reef and the world famous island resorts - such as Hamilton, Daydream and Hook - with some cruises taking in more than one resort during the day.
As you sail among deserted islands, beaches and reefs, backpackers can dive and snorkel among colourful fish and coral, bushwalk through tropical forest and sunbake on deserted beaches while the boat's crew pampers you.
While cruising during July to September, you might spot a Humpback whale as these gentle giants migrate to the Whitsundays from Antarctica to breed.
OCEAN RAFTING
Shingley Drive, Coral Sea Marina, Airlie Beach
Phone (07) 4946 6848
www.oceanrafting.com.au
The Whitsundays... three days in one!
Multi award winning Ocean Rafting visits the 'Wild Side' of the Whitsunday Islands, the uninhabited islands with beautiful natural scenery brimming with marine, bird and animal life. There are two exciting tour options, the Northern Exposure and Southern Lights. Each Ocean Rafting day offers three days in one, including an exhilarating ride to Whitehaven Beach, pristine snorkelling reefs and guided Whitsunday Island National Parks walks.
Ocean Rafting is the only tour to have direct access to the stunning and iconic Hill Inlet beach, and special snorkel sites at Hook Island and Border Island ensure a memorable underwater experience. The semi rigid inflatable vessels are super fast allowing guests to experience a fun ride, adventure and education amongst the natural beauty of the Whitsundays. 32 passengers at most allows for personal snorkelling lessons and the pleasure of a small group. Ocean Rafting is proud to be Advanced Ecotourism Certified.
Phone (07) 4946 6848
www.oceanrafting.com.au
The Whitsundays... three days in one!
Multi award winning Ocean Rafting visits the 'Wild Side' of the Whitsunday Islands, the uninhabited islands with beautiful natural scenery brimming with marine, bird and animal life. There are two exciting tour options, the Northern Exposure and Southern Lights. Each Ocean Rafting day offers three days in one, including an exhilarating ride to Whitehaven Beach, pristine snorkelling reefs and guided Whitsunday Island National Parks walks.
Ocean Rafting is the only tour to have direct access to the stunning and iconic Hill Inlet beach, and special snorkel sites at Hook Island and Border Island ensure a memorable underwater experience. The semi rigid inflatable vessels are super fast allowing guests to experience a fun ride, adventure and education amongst the natural beauty of the Whitsundays. 32 passengers at most allows for personal snorkelling lessons and the pleasure of a small group. Ocean Rafting is proud to be Advanced Ecotourism Certified.
GSL AVIATION - AIRLIE BEACH1/384 Shute Harbour Road, Airlie Beach
Phone 1300 475 247
www.gslaviation.com.au/airlie
The jewel of the Great Barrier Reef!
GSL Aviation is proud to offer a range of great value scenic flights, island transfers and air charter from our base at Airlie Beach in the beautiful Whitsundays.
See it all with our Whitsunday Islands and Great Barrier Reef scenic flight tours giving you an excellent overview of the most popular Whitsunday Islands and the famous Heart Reef & Whitehaven Beach. With expert commentary you will appreciate the layout and beauty of this amazing area, all whilst soaring above these breathtaking sights! Ask us about our 'Fly and Cruise' packages too and enjoy the Reef from above and below the water!
Sights include: Shute Harbour, Hamilton Island, Hill Inlet, Whitehaven Beach, Hayman Island, Hook Island, Daydream Island, Bait Reef, Heart Reef and Hook Reef.
Phone 1300 475 247
www.gslaviation.com.au/airlie
The jewel of the Great Barrier Reef!
GSL Aviation is proud to offer a range of great value scenic flights, island transfers and air charter from our base at Airlie Beach in the beautiful Whitsundays.
See it all with our Whitsunday Islands and Great Barrier Reef scenic flight tours giving you an excellent overview of the most popular Whitsunday Islands and the famous Heart Reef & Whitehaven Beach. With expert commentary you will appreciate the layout and beauty of this amazing area, all whilst soaring above these breathtaking sights! Ask us about our 'Fly and Cruise' packages too and enjoy the Reef from above and below the water!
Sights include: Shute Harbour, Hamilton Island, Hill Inlet, Whitehaven Beach, Hayman Island, Hook Island, Daydream Island, Bait Reef, Heart Reef and Hook Reef.
OTHER ATTRACTIONS AND ACTIVITIES
ACCOMMODATION - WHITSUNDAYS
Camping is permitted at QPWS camping grounds on a number of islands, but you must haul along your own gear, food, drinking water, fuel stoves and nature-loving attitude (please, don't leave anything behind you but only footprints). The Airlie Beach QPWS provides permits and advice on camping.
The resort on HOOK ISLAND- which once offered the most affordable accommodation in the Whitsundays - has closed. The dilapidated buildings are only occupied by permanent caretaking and security staff, and visitors are only permitted on the beach as far as the high water mark. Five star HAYMAN ISLAND resort is probably at the other end of the spectrum, an exclusive, premium island resort. Forbes Magazine declared Hayman Island 'The World's Best Beach Resort'. Definitely one for those who appreciate - and can afford- the best of everything. Bustling HAMILTON ISLAND, with its busy airport, encompasses a number of hotels, form three star to five star, romantic palm-fringed bungalows, self-contained apartments, and an exclusive beach-front boutique resort. This is Australia's most visited island, and transport around the island is via golf buggy. On LONG ISLAND, Palm Bay Resort offers spacious Balinese inspired villas with extensive views to the Whitsunday passage and Coral Sea. Guests enjoy complete tranquility and seclusion SOUTH MOLLE ISLAND was a family favourite, but is now closed. Pristine LINDEMAN ISLAND was home to Australia's only Club Med, with all the entertainment and activities that Club Med have become famous for. But the resort suffered significant damage from Cyclone Yasi and was forced to close in 2011, sitting dormant ever since. In 2018, the government approved with conditions a mega proposal to redevelop Lindeman Island Resort that, all going well, will be completed by 2022. DAYDREAM ISLAND, tiny Daydream Island, with its immaculately renovated 4.5 star resort and world class health spa is a number one destination. BRAMPTON ISLAND with its luxurious Brampton Island Resort, was once a favourite for honeymoooners. Sadly the resort has been closed since it was badly damaged by a cyclone. WHITSUNDAY ISLAND is an undeveloped wilderness, with little more than a few basic campsites and some established walking trails to give any indication of human presence. Its main drawcard is the gleamingly white Whitehaven Beach, which is the most photographed beach in the Whitsundays, and the highlight of many tours and island cruises.For more details on accommodation, please choose your island from the list below, or check out our AIRLIE BEACH ACCOMMODATION.
| BRAMPTON ISLAND | DAYDREAM ISLAND | HAMILTON ISLAND |
| HAYMAN ISLAND | HOOK ISLAND | LINDEMAN ISLAND |
| LONG ISLAND | SOUTH MOLLE ISLAND | WHITSUNDAY ISLAND |