The Whitsunday Islands

The Whitsunday Coast and Islands are a very special part of Australia. Lush, tropical islands… clear, warm water… coral reefs…white, sandy beaches… An unspoilt paradise and one of the world's best kept secrets.

Australia has been called the Lucky Country - for many reasons. There are great cities, the amazing outback, the Tasmanian wilderness and the Great Barrier Reef… so many rewarding destinations for travellers. The Whitsundays however are unique, exotic and spectacularly beautiful. One of those rare, unforgettable places… safe, clean, no stress… just nature at her best...

The Whitsundays is a collection of 74 islands off the coast of Mackay, Shute Harbour, Airlie Beach and Proserpine. The Whitsunday Passage is made up of sun drenched islands and turquoise seas - immersed mountain peaks surrounded by fringing reef and coral systems. Most of the islands are uninhabited national parks and only a handful have resort facilities - Hamilton, Daydream, Lindeman, Hayman, Great Keppel, Long, Orpheus and Dunk. Whitsunday Island is the largest of the group with camping areas but no resort.

The Whitsundays lie around the same tropical latitude as Honolulu in the northern hemisphere and Mauritius in the south. The islands enjoy a warm, tropical climate all year round with the occasional tropical shower from December through February.
The average temperature is 27.4 degrees centigrade (80F). The islands are remnants of a coastal range which was submerged when sea levels rose at the end of the ice age. Most of the islands have National Park status, while a 35,000 sq. km marine park stretches from around Sarina in the south to Cape Upstart to the north.

What are the main islands in the Whitsundays?

Brampton Island: 8 square kilometres of mountainous island, only 32km from Mackay harbour. It is a national park and wildlife sanctuary with lush forests, palm trees and fine white beaches. The island is surrounded by coral reefs.

Hamilton Island: Characterised by high-rise hotels, Hamilton Island has an international airport and is the most heavily developed island in the Whitsundays. It has a range of entertainment including parasailing, scuba diving, cruising and helicopter joy flights. There are squash courts, shops, nine restaurants, take-away's and a supermarket. All the resort facilities can be used by day trippers.

Daydream Island: The closest island resort to Shute Harbour, it has a very good swimming pool and mainly caters for families. Day trippers are allowed and can use all the non-powered water activities and tennis courts.

Lindeman Island: One of the most southerly of the Whitsunday group, 67 kilometres north of Mackay. Lindeman Island is 20 square kilometres in area, and more than 90% national park. The island offers great views across the Whitsunday passage from Mt Oldfield and is noted for its birds and butterflies and walking tracks.

Hayman Island: There are no daytrippers on Hayman Island as it is a very exclusive and upmarket resort. It is the most northerly of the Whitsunday Islands and has many facilities and activities available.

Whitsunday Island: There is no resort on this island, however it is the largest of the Whitsunday group. Whitehaven Beach, 6 kilometres long, is on the south-east coast and is the longest and finest beach imaginable. There are National Parks camping areas at Whitehaven Beach and some good snorkelling sites at its southern end.

Long Island: 8km from Shute Harbour and 43 kilometres from Proserpine. Long Island offers excellent walking tracks through the rainforest for great views of the surrounding islands. There is over 2000 acres of National Park and palm fringed beaches.

Orpheus Island: Covered with lush green palms and sandy bays. This unspoilt wilderness is softened by the graceful curve of seven beaches of soft white sand and a dark green centre of National Park.

Great Keppel Island: This island is only a short boat ride away from the Great Barrier Reef, with spectacular marine life and 28 kilometres of pure white sand. This island is perfect for all ages and is one of the Whitsundays most beautiful destinations.

Dunk Island: A tropical island with lush rainforests. It is a tropical island with a real working dairy farm and an artists colony. Its a place of contrast, where getting back to nature is so simple.

Lizard Island

Lizard Island offers an escape of a different kind. This is without question, one of Australia's premier resorts - being right on the Great Barrier Reef is rare enough, but Lizard Island offers the full spectrum. Imagine beaches so pristine, so untouched, that yours are the only footsteps in the sand. You'll discover the beaches of your dreams on Lizard Island and delight in exploring them.

Here you can snorkel off a secluded beach to discover a garden of giant clams, some of them reputed to be 120 years old. Lizard Island is also renowned for it's diving. At the world famous 'Cod Hole', you'll come face to face with a massive yet curious Potato Cod swimming right up to inspect you with child-like curiosity.