Whitsunday Holidays, Australia

Visiting the Whitsunday Islands on Queensland's Great Barrier Reef

Nov 15, 2009 Sharon Smallwood

Set amid one of the natural wonders of the world, the Whitsunday Islands are among Australia's top tourist attractions.

The Whitsundays are a collection of 74 islands on Australia's tropical Queensland coast. From backpacker deals to premium luxury escapes, from adventure travel to relaxing breaks, there are holiday experiences to match all budgets and tastes. Choices include a range of island locations and accommodation styles as well as numerous leisure pursuits.

Whitsunday Travel – Arrival and Orientation

Reach the Whitsundays by air, sea, rail or road. Commercial flights land at Proserpine on the Australian mainland and Hamilton Island in the midst of the Whitsunday chain. Jetstar, Virgin Blue and Qantas Link make daily flights to Hamilton Island from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Cairns. Ferries to the mainland and other island resorts generally compliment flight schedules.

Proserpine airport is approximately 20 minutes by road from the Whitsunday coast. Transfers are via shuttle buses, taxis and rental cars. Rail services also terminate at Proserpine with similar options for connecting to the coast. Long distance coaches (such as Greyhound Australia) travel to Airlie Beach direct. Airlie is the gateway to the Whitsundays and a lively destination in its own right. Regular ferries depart Shute Harbour and Abel Point Marina for various island ports.

Whitsunday Accommodation and Island Resorts

Many of the Whitsunday Islands are uninhabited. Those that cater to visitors are as follows:

Hamilton Island - The only permanently populated island in the Whitsundays, Hamilton Island boasts resorts (in several classes), holiday homes, apartments, hotels and a marina for private and charter boats. The island has its own fully licensed travel agency and the facilities of a small town.
Hayman Island - Synonymous with luxury, Hayman Island has a five-star resort, ranked among the leading hotels of the world. There is also an adjacent marina but overnight guests must book accommodation ashore.
Daydream Island - The award-winning Daydream Island Resort and Spa is a family-friendly destination with a range of rooms and suites. Charter and private boats are welcome on resort moorings.
Long Island - Guests choose from the Long Island Resort at Happy Bay, Peppers at Palm Bay, and the Paradise Bay Eco Escape. Long Island Resort caters for families with value-for-money deals. Boat moorings are available for rent. Peppers Palm Bay is in the luxury accommodation bracket and courts an adults-only clientele. The exclusive resort at Palm Bay is accessed by helicopter only and also suits adults alone. Minimum three-night stays are required.
South Molle - The Koala Adventure Island Resort encourages backpackers and over 18's. Budget accommodation is available including dorm-style rooms. There are moorings for visiting yachts.
Lindeman Island - The Club Med Resort is favoured by families for its child-friendly attitude and activities. Boaters are welcome for the price of a daily fee.
Brampton Island - The Voyages Brampton Island Resort offers four styles of room and an assortment of entertainment. Being at the southern end of the Whitsundays it is best accessed from Mackay where daily boat transfers are compatible with flights.
Hook Island - The Hook Island Wilderness Resort supplies budget beds and camping facilities. There is an underwater observatory and nearby moorings for rent.

Whitsunday Camping

Camping in the Whitsundays is mostly managed by the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS), who issue permits for the various sites. There are campgrounds on Gloucester, Hook, Whitsunday, Henning, Cid, Long, Lindeman, Shaw, Thomas, Goldsmith and the Molle Islands. Boat transfers can be arranged through operators at Shute Harbour or Airlie Beach.

Whitsunday Sailing

Not all accommodation in the Whitsundays is based on land. Yacht charters are reasonably priced and offer an alternative method of island exploration. Options vary from self-skippered bareboat breaks, to crewed charters, to organised adventure tours. Rental boats include monohulls and catamarans in both sailing and power categories. Itineraries typically take in popular destinations like world-famous Whitehaven Beach.

Tourist Information - Tropical Island Holiday Facts

The Whitsundays have a tropical climate with slight seasonal adjustments. Winter falls from June through to August with summer from December to March. The region experiences a brief wet season throughout the summer months. Sunglasses and skin protection are necessary year-round. Resorts generally expect smart-casual clothing and appropriate footwear. Forgotten items can usually be purchased on site.

The copyright of the article Whitsunday Holidays, Australia in Aus/NZ/Oceania Travel is owned by Sharon Smallwood. Permission to republish Whitsunday Holidays, Australia in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.