Activities |
Whitsunday Islands |
Whitsunday Islands © Tourism Queensland
Set in crystal clear azure waters of the Coral Sea waters in the heart of Australia's Great Barrier Reef, the Whitsundays are a sailor's paradise and one of Australia's most popular tourist attractions drawing over 600,000 visitors annually.
Most tourists tend to stick to the resort areas to enjoy the endless water activities such as diving, snorkelling, fishing, sailing, and relaxing on the sun-drenched beaches as seventy percent of the region has been declared a national or marine park. The resort islands of Hamilton Daydream, Hayman, South Molle and Lindeman are the most popular destinations with foreign visitors and accommodation is easy to find on these charming islands.
Perfect for a family getaway, a relaxing break for the hustle and bustle of the city or a romantic honeymoon destination, the Whitsundays have something for everyone. At the end of a busy day exploring the islands and marine life off their shores, what could be better than a romantic sunset cruise to round off the perfect day in this small slice of paradise.
Attractions
Airlie Beach © Orin Zebest
Airlie Beach
The gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and Whitsunday Islands, Airlie Beach is a small town in the Whitsunday region and is a fabulous place to enjoy the day and soak up all there is in this idyllic setting. With a great variety of activities to enjoy such as snorkelling, fishing, crocodile safaris and scenic flights of Whitehaven Beach, there's plenty to see and do in this laid-back and picturesque town. The vibe is simply electric with holidaymakers lining the streets, beer gardens overflowing and bars and clubs pumping until the wee hours. Travellers should be aware that the Irukandji jellyfish, which pack a powerful sting, pose a major threat to swimmers during the months of November to May when they abound in the water, but a medium sized swimming lagoon on the foreshore is the perfect place to cool off on a hot summer's day.E-mail: info@airliebeach.com; Website: www.airliebeach.com; Telephone: 1800 677 119
Hamilton Island © butler.corey
Hamilton Island
The most developed of the Whitsundays, the privately owned Hamilton Island is also the most populated, boasting some of the most valuable real estate in Australia, and when you take a look at the breathtaking scenery and views, it's not surprising! With the Great Barrier Reef a short boat ride away, pristine and unspoilt surroundings and world-class accommodation and dining opportunities, Hamilton Island makes a great day or overnight trip for visitors to the Whitsundays. During peak season, September to January, it can become extremely busy, so if you're looking for a quiet retreat from the noisy crowds, come another time. Stroll around Marina Village window shopping and stop for a bite to eat, catch a golf buggy to the 'northern end' or simply relax on Catseye Beach and soak up the sun.Website: www.hamiltonisland.com.au
Whitehaven Beach © Paleontour
Whitehaven Beach
Whitsunday Island is a popular tourist resort island for both day and overnight visitors and is the largest and most popular island of the Whitsundays. Most famous for its 2.8 mile (4.5km) stretch of pristine sugary white sandy beach known as Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Island's beauty is unbridled. Featuring the purest sand in the world (98% silica) the American government considered mining the sand from Whitehaven Beach for military purposes in the 1960s but, thankfully, this never happened and the beach is now protected under the national park. Many boats dock here daily bringing thousands of tourists to explore one of the most famous beaches in the world. Tongue Point features a wooden trail which stretches up to a lookout point over Whitehaven Beach - the ideal location for that picture-perfect postcard shot!